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December 27, 2012
ABU DHABI 1970s FASHION

ABU DHABI 1970s FASHION THROUGH THE LENS OF JACK BURLOT

Today’s post is inspired by an article published in the local UAE newspaper, The National, a couple of weeks ago. Titled “Cacharel and the city” the article the interview covers French photographer Jack Burlot’s impressions of the Abu Dhabi in the context of the newly found wealth of commercial oil reserves in the 1970s, where he also comments on the rarity in those days of staging fashion shoots alongside the real life hustle & bustle of everyday life; and the welcoming, albeit bemused nature of fishermen & other onlookers.

“Among all of French photographer Jack Burlot’s entrancing photographs of everyday life Abu Dhabi in the 1970s, a fashion shoot featuring a French model, posing on the waterfront and in Qasr Al Hosn, stands out as an anomaly. The shoot, which ran in a few now-forgotten European magazines, was part of a collection of photos taken by the photographer in 1974 as, in his 20s; he documented the oil boom for Gamma, a French agency.” via The National.

July 23, 2012
RAMADAN MUBARAK

RAMADAN MUBARAK FROM TEAM ZAMAN!

As celebrants of all elements of the diverse culture and traditions of the Arab world, this year the design for our Ramadan greetings card sent out to our clients and industry partners is inspired by the gahfiyah, also referred to as the Islamic hat or Muslim prayer cap in English.

“The design for our greeting card is a collage of different Islamic hats to showcase another aspect of the different ‘flavours’ of the Islamic world and this is visible in the intricacies of the patterns and the varying beautiful prints we found. The choice of 30 hats in the collage is a representation of the 30 days of Ramadan. To the trained eye the differences in the caps – colours, threading, shape, typography, patterns & symbols – can actually indicate the origin or nationality of the wearer.” Nadia Abdeen, Zaman Graphic Designer.

Despite its religious associations, the hat is actually a practical item of clothing in the desert climates to which Islam is native; although the daytime Arabian temperatures can get extremely high, the extreme lows of the night temperatures necessitate wearing a head covering to bed reduces heat loss by a substantial amount. Traditionally worn by Muslim men across the world, the hat goes by many names such as gahfiyah (Gulf), topi (Pakistan), takiyah (Sri Lanka), kufi (US and Britain), tubeteika (Russia), pakol (Afghanistan) and thakiha (Indonesia). Likewise in terms of style the caps differ by country and region in both the pattern and the material from which they are made.

In warmer climates such as Islamic sub-Saharan Africa the caps are made of a lighter cotton material, in the Gulf the caps are commonly made from crochet cotton, are more tightly fitted and worn underneath the ghutra (veil) while in relatively cooler climates such as Turkey the cap, which is more conical in shape, is distinctively thicker and made from beautifully embroidered wool and cotton fleece.

The Gahfiyah or Muslim cap offers yet another fascinating insight into design in the Arab world.

Team Zaman wishes you & your family Ramadan Mubarak!

July 23, 2012
Ramadan mubarak from team zaman!

As celebrants of all elements of the diverse culture and traditions of the Arab world, this year the design for our Ramadan greetings card sent out to our clients and industry partners is inspired by the gahfiyah, also referred to as the Islamic hat or Muslim prayer cap in English.

“The design for our greeting card is a collage of different Islamic hats to showcase another aspect of the different ‘flavours’ of the Islamic world and this is visible in the intricacies of the patterns and the varying beautiful prints we found. The choice of 30 hats in the collage is a representation of the 30 days of Ramadan. To the trained eye the differences in the caps – colours, threading, shape, typography, patterns & symbols – can actually indicate the origin or nationality of the wearer.” Nadia Abdeen, Zaman Graphic Designer.

Despite its religious associations, the hat is actually a practical item of clothing in the desert climates to which Islam is native; although the daytime Arabian temperatures can get extremely high, the extreme lows of the night temperatures necessitate wearing a head covering to bed reduces heat loss by a substantial amount. Traditionally worn by Muslim men across the world, the hat goes by many names such as gahfiyah (Gulf), topi (Pakistan), takiyah (Sri Lanka), kufi (US and Britain), tubeteika (Russia), pakol (Afghanistan) and thakiha (Indonesia). Likewise in terms of style the caps differ by country and region in both the pattern and the material from which they are made.

In warmer climates such as Islamic sub-Saharan Africa the caps are made of a lighter cotton material, in the Gulf the caps are commonly made from crochet cotton, are more tightly fitted and worn underneath the ghutra (veil) while in relatively cooler climates such as Turkey the cap, which is more conical in shape, is distinctively thicker and made from beautifully embroidered wool and cotton fleece.

The Gahfiyah or Muslim cap offers yet another fascinating insight into design in the Arab world.

 

May 4, 2011
Forward-thinking and innovative

Forward-thinking and innovative – Oasis magazines tells us how they became the first magazine of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

Oasis is one of the leading arts & culture magazines within the region. Oasis continuously celebrates a rich heritage and a modern, progressive and young MENA generation that is curious, forward-thinking, innovative and savvy. Oasis Magazine is the first Saudi publication of its kind, and the leading arts & culture magazine in the Kingdom, with a section focused specifically on Saudi Arabia, featuring in-depth interviews and highlighting noteworthy accomplishments.
The publication provides seasonal updates on the best in Middle Eastern culture, arts, literature, entrepreneurship, fashion, travel, and environmental & luxury products from the objective, and relatable perspective, of a young local team and a blend of internationally renowned talents. Oasis delivers fresh new content with each issue. Its focus on exposing both Middle Eastern happenings, from events and openings to individuals that are changing
our arena, as well as worldwide activities, has been creating a global impact and a much-needed platform for f” Oasis is one of the leading arts & culture magazines within the region. Oasis continuously celebrates a rich heritage and a modern, progressive and young MENA generation that is curious, forward-thinking, innovative and savvy. Oasis Magazine is the first Saudi publication of its kind, and the leading arts & culture magazine in the Kingdom, with a section focused specifically on Saudi Arabia, featuring in-depth interviews and highlighting noteworthy accomplishments.
The publication provides seasonal updates on the best in Middle Eastern culture, arts, literature, entrepreneurship, fashion, travel, and environmental & luxury products from the objective, and relatable perspective, of a young local team and a blend of internationally renowned talents. Oasis delivers fresh new content with each issue. Its focus on exposing both Middle Eastern happenings, from events and openings to individuals that are changing
our arena, as well as worldwide activities, has been creating a global impact and a much-needed platform for forward-thinking, innovative, and creative individuals.”

April 26, 2011
Rajadano shares with us their authentic Brand story.

Rajadano shares with us their authentic Brand story.

Rajadano is part of the 100 Most Authentic Arab Brands that have been selected and is currently in 5th place.  At the time of writing this post Rajadano is holding 102 Votes.

Handbag artist  Rana Al Soliman brings a touch of the Middle East

Hailing from majestic Saudi Arabia, this artist and designer has an extensively interesting history in experimenting with various creative mediums.  Studied graphic design in the American College  London, (The American University), Rana attended various courses and workshops in the US and Europe to further perfect her creative skills.  Amongst her array of creative expertise, Rana counts painting, graphic design, Islamic drawing, Venetian glass blowing and flower arranging as favored indulgences; incorporating the design influence she acquired from these art forms into her leather bag designs.

 

Rajadano aspires to capture the essence of cultural nostalgia and ethnic beauty and make this accessible to the everyday fashionista.  Rajadano is not only an example of striking design mastery, but indeed a stark symbol of exclusivity. Inspiration for the ‘Rajadano Agate’ collection surfaced from grouping the tradition, mysticism and ethnic heritage of Saudi Arabia resulting in intricately detailed designs using traditional materials and beading to produce a genuinely unique pattern, with adornments of handcrafted leather embroidery and Agate semi-precious stones.

The ‘Rajadano Agate’ collection comprises of four different styles. An assortment from evening clutches to everyday shoulder bags, and in keeping with the Agate inspiration, the collection combines metallic leather with earthy tones and comes in three shades of brown, metallic colours of gold, silver and bronze alongside the classic black and white leather pieces. Embroidered with various Islamic patterns in silver and gold coloured thread, festooned with an array of differently coloured Agate stone, each Rajadano creation depicts an inimitable facet of style personality; a perfect embodiment of cultural enchantment.

The Rajadano “O Collection ” is an array of brightly-colored ostrich skin leather clutch bags in two styles aspired from the  arabian night mystic colors like Flame red , African violet , Mango , Crystal blue and more …Embroidered with islamic design patterns in silver  color and gold color threads ….delicate, luxuries  but bursting with refreshing  colors…..

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