Omani Women Fashion Designers

Fashion is always changing, slightly elusive, extremely seductive.It has the power to transform an image and make a social statementThe costume of Omani women is colorful and ornate and reflects regional variations. The main component of a woman’s costume is an outfit worn over the trousers called sirwal and the headdress called lihaf. The elaborate embroidery on women costumes can take up to two months to complete. Omani women wear elaborate gold and silver jewelry around the head, neck, wrists, ankles, fingers and toes. Most women wear sandals or western type fashion shoes. Many women paint their hands and feet with henna, especially before weddings, holidays and festivals

What is fashion anyway

Dictionary.com's definitions:

The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior: out of fashion.

Something, such as a garment, that is in the current mode: a swimsuit that is the latest fashion.

The style characteristic of the social elite: a man of fashion.

To some, fashion is an art form. To others, it is almost a religion.

But for most people it is a method of utilizing clothing, accessories and hair to show or hide something about yourself.

You can use fashion to express yourself, to serve as an extension of your personality: goth, skater, soccer mom, professional.

Or you can use fashion to disguise your true self:a conservative in vamp clothing, a vamp in conservative clothing.

Fashion statements can be made with clothes, accessories, shoes, hair, makeup, even you cellphone.

Muscat, Oman] Situated on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman possesses a rich, textured history, which has witnessed much cultural interfacing over the centuries, whether through Omani sailors trading across distant shores or through being located on the famed Silk Route.

However, whilst embracing and assimilating the trappings of modern development only as recently as 1970 with the ascension of its ruler, Sultan Qabus Bin Sa'id to the throne, the country remains firm in its dedicated commitment to preserving and maintaining its traditions, whether they pertain to architecture, handicrafts, or costume.

Omani fashion designers are nevertheless experimenting and innovating within the scope of traditional wear, particularly with regard to women. They are aware of prevailing global fashion influences and incorporate them into their designs in the local context; they also mine the abundant lode of cultural traditions of their country for inspiration as well.

Women figure prominently among the number of designers who are appearing on the fashion scene in Oman, each intent on articulating their personal fashion vision intertwined with respect for traditional sensibilities and

tastes

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In the region of Muscat, plain or printed cotton cloth with geometric or flower patterns is used to prepare thawb. The thawb is decorated with gold and silver bands as well as tilli (locally made braid) around the neckline and cuffs. Sinjaaf (piece of cloth of different color) is attached to the lower hem of the thawb. The sirwaal is often decorated with broad patterns from the knee to the ankle.

Waqaya (3-m long shawl of light cotton cloth with tassels of colored wool along the shorter ends) is used to cover the head. The tassels may also be woven from colored silk or gold and silver thread.

In the region of Al Batinah, the female attire consists of three components of various colors. The thawb falls down up to 30 cm below the knee. The shaqq (neckline) is embroidered with patterns of braid and bands. The complex embroidery on the chest portion is called mussader. The lower hem of the thawb is also embroidered and edged with the sinjaf. Omen from Al Batinah wear two types of pantaloons - al-yadila and al-khayali. Waqaya (head cover) of this region is distinguished by tassels at the shorter ends. The shayla (shawl) is worn over the whole ensemble when leaving the house.

How can I work in fashion

Depending on what you want to do -- from designing to retailing -- there are many paths you can take to get to your destination.

Education is a vital ingredient: many universities offer excellent fashion merchandising courses.

Work experience is another necessary step to working as a professional in the fashion industry. Experience at the retail level (as a sales person in a store) is a great way to get a feel for how consumers buy, mix or reject clothing.

Many students are initially attracted to fashion because it seems like a glamorous business:to some degree it is.

But the majority of clothing and accessories that are designed, manufactured and sold have absolutely nothing to do with the glitzy shows associated with famous designers.

The majority of people working in fashion have behind-the-scenes jobs at less-than-glamorous wages. Regardless, most who work in the industry are charged by its vibrancy and creativity and get rewards other than fame and fortune (a fun job, creative outlet, etc.).