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Bahraini jewellery designer Yathreb Al A'ameri is helping to open the doors of opportunity for fellow young fashion entrepreneurs by helping them showcase their talent.
And, she believes her own 'evil eye' designs and hamsa - a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Arab world - help provide protection against those wishing ill-fortune or showing envy towards those with talent.
The 21-year old has set up her own online fashion house selling wholesale and retail jewellery and gifts. "My work and pieces are all about the 'evil eye' and the hamsa hands, which protect you from all bad things. I believe they can keep anyone protected - I strongly believe in them."
An evil eye is a look that is superstitiously believed to be able to cause injury or bad luck to the person at whom it is directed.
The demand for her collections, which she updates monthly, has grown and her House of H brand has quickly become a wardrobe mainstay for fashion-conscious woman across the kingdom.
Now she is bringing good luck to other creative designers with a series of shows at A'ali Shopping Complex in Seef.
The 'Exquisite Fashion Show' she staged last week attracted more than 120 fashion-lovers to the mall's CafŽ CŽramique and featured a host of local and international brands.
"The show was great. I got a lot of positive feedback from the guests who particularly enjoyed the children's range," Yathreb said.
"I decided to stage the event because there are so many creative Bahraini designers, aged between 18 and 30, who remain undiscovered. My idea was to bring these talents forward and showcase them to the public. The mall has been very supportive."
The show featured four Bahraini designers Mariam Fatallah, Mona Habib, Aroob Al Thawadi and Alia Hajair who displayed an array of striking cuts, rich textures, delicate fabrics accompanied by attractive embellishments and followed a similarly successful event held on National Day last year.
It also showcased the spring/summer 2010 collections for Juicy Couture, Samantha Cole & Bijoux Boudoir, Marquito & Blowman, Rainbeaux, People's Market and Baum Und Pferdgarten. A range of casual day wear for children was also under the spotlight, courtesy of Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Monnalisa, Ferrari and Iceberg.
Bahrain-based La Boutique 92 displayed a range of footwear highlighting Turkish brand Vanda and British brand Michael Lewis.
Jacques Mizen, the centre's manager, said: "Spring time not only heralds the new beginning for the year but is also a much-awaited time for fashionistas who look forward to the latest styles and trends for the season.
"Therefore the timing to showcase the work of Bahraini designers and brands available in the complex could not be more apt."
Yathreb is now preparing for an exhibition to be held in the mall's food court area over the Labour Day weekend on May 1 and 2 from 10am to 10pm. More than 40 home businesses will be showcasing a range of products including clothes, accessories, jewellery and cakes.
Check out www.house-of-h.com
