Cutting cloth accordingly

SHINY satin and tulle netting were the core ingredients taken from an outfit once worn by the kingdom's 'apple lady' to create a series of stunning new designs.

Royal University of Women (RUW) fashion design students put their talents to the test using the material left over from the winter promotion at Bahrain City Centre.

They have created 14 stunning outfits which, having come full circle, have now gone on display at the shopping mall.

Dr Mona Suri, the university's dean - faculty of art & design, said: "As the only university in Bahrain to offer a fashion design programme, our students were thrilled by the opportunity and found it to be a real challenge."

The apple lady mannequin was covered in material featuring thousands of apples and attracted 70,000 entries into a draw to guess the number of pieces of fruit on display. Once the promotion was over the university students were given 300 metres of fabric to recycle, letting their creativity flow.

Fourteen young fashionistas transformed the fabric into gowns, cocktail dresses and other outfits they felt best suited their personalities. The task was to strictly use the satin and tulle supplied with only minor additions if required.

Dr. Suri added: "The university is always eager to take part in community initiatives and this was also a really good learning task. The students had to utilise the material available and to re-use rather than waste."

Their creations included a mixture of empire waists, flowing gowns, couture-inspired attire and princess-cut dresses.

Nayab Suhail Bhure, 21, from Busaiteen, said: "I think what the City Centre did was super. They didn't waste the fabric and instead allowed us to re-invent it. I hate it when anyone wastes fabric, or anything-else for that matter.

"It was difficult working with what we had because the material was already stitched on the outside and it had a lining. The tulle was also tough to use.

"I had to re-open every stitch and redo everything, in fact I turned the satin inside out in order to use it.

"In the end I learned that it's not impossible to work with difficult fabric. It proved to be a great experience."

The dress Nayab created has a soft feminine look, with gentle cowls on the sleeves, an empire waistline with flower detailing and a flared, flowing skirt.

She added: "The bodice has pleats to help break down the monotony of the smooth fabric.

"The neckline and the back are scooped as the rest of the garment is demurely conservative. This dress is designed for women that want to look beautiful without showing too much skin.

"The beauty of the wearer lies in the mystery of the fabric on her body."

Fellow student Manar Al Kubaisi, 21, from Juffair, said: "While the elements were limited the choice of style and theme was not. We were given the freedom to create whatever we wanted.

"I was inspired by pop icon Lady Gaga. I think she is unique and that is exactly what I wanted my dress to be...unique."

Shoppers can admire the designs in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. They will be on display for three weeks when the mall reopens..