They may be a little pricey, but an Arabesque HC abaya and sheila are definitely worth me saving all my riyals for – it's the luxury abaya brand on every GCC girl's wishlist, including mine. What does the HC in Arabesque HC stand for? Well, Haute Couture of course!
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| From the latest collection |
I'm literally talking about one of the first, if not the first, haute couture abaya labels in the world – ever envisioned an abaya which combines the traditional Gulf spirit of the abaya with the impeccable design and flawless workmanship of Parisian haute couture houses? Well Arabesque HC is it.
So who is behind one of the world's most beloved abaya labels?
Let me introduce you to French designer Judith Duriez – you may wonder how a non-Arab woman could be an abaya designer, but why not? Judith came to the UAE with her husband in 1993 and has studied the history, form and design of abayas for years. She graduated from Paris' best fashion school, Ecole de la Chambre Syndicate de la Haute Couture and her parents were connoisseurs and patrons of art….so art and culture run in the family.
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| Image courtesy of the Arabesque website |
Arabesque HC started off as a haute couture label providing one-of-a-kind evening gowns for the glamorous Emirati glitterati, and at the special request of a client, who wanted an exceptional abaya to match her extravagant outfits for big and special occasions, came the idea of expanding Arabesque to include haute couture abayas and sheilas, a concept little heard of previously…and in 2001, Arabesque HC Abayas and Sheilas was born!
Judith combines all the experience, skills and workmanship she learnt working for years in Paris' biggest and most prestigious haute couture houses from Chanel to Christian Lacroix and Jean Louis Scherrer to Thierry Mugler with her abaya and sheila designs, to produce creations which are quite magnificent. The abayas are also reflective of the trends Judith witnesses first-hand in Paris. Even the Arabesque Boutique in the Palm Strip Mall in Dubai has been designed to look very much like a chic Parisian apartment – think Coco Chanel's apartment.
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| From the latest collection |
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| From the latest collection |
Arabesque HC abayas are often adorned and trimmed with lace and embellished with Swarovski crystals and the finished products really are majestic.
An Arabesque HC abaya and sheila may break the bank for some (like me!), but just like a Chanel 2.55 or Hermes Kelly, they are an investment for life!
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| All from the latest collection |
Where to get yours:
Arabesque Haute Couture
Arabesque HC Boutique, Abu Dhabi Mall, Abu Dhabi
Sunset Mall, Level 1, Jumeirah, Dubai.
For more information, check out the Arabesque HC website, or email them at info@arabesque-hc.com.
