Marvellous market at 338

Fashion and fine food devotees have been enjoying a tasty treat at Market 338 by grabbing the chance to meet talented designers, as well as soaking up the chilled atmosphere and the live entertainment on offer.

The seasonal souq, organised by Al Riwaq Art Space, includes 60 stalls featuring food and beverages, artwork, accessories and apparel spread out across Adliya’s restaurant district.

This year’s offering looks set to attract even more than the 5,000 visitors it generated last year. It is part of the gallery’s initiative to continuously promote local and regional designers as well as home-based businesses. It also offers visitors musical performances as well as designer-talks and workshops.

The landscape and interior of the third annual edition was conceived by Spanish designer Juan Manuek Vegas with a special focus on Bahrain, circa 1950s.

Visitor Rafal Kameel, 27, an IT auditor from Manama, attends the market every year and was impressed with this year’s theme. Ms Kameel said: “I love the spirit of this souq. It’s traditional, hippie and truly something different in Bahrain.

“I love coming here to see what’s new from the local designers and tasting the traditional food.”

One food stall in particular was so popular with visitors that it was constantly selling out of stock. Bossy Kitchen, created by chef Aysha Al Araifi, was dishing out healthy meals and snacks such as fluffy pancakes, quinoa blondies, salads and madhrouba.

Marion D’souza, an executive secretary from Manama, came to the event with her daughter Simone, 10, a student at Quality Education School, to savour some of the treats.

Mrs D’souza said: “This was my first time at Market 338 and I’m really glad I came. I originally showed up to try some of Bossy Kitchen’s healthy food and ended up going through the different stalls. Simone and I really like the jewellery and bags on display.”

Other popular stalls were the Arab Vegan Kitchen launched in Ramadan by Nada El Barshoumi and one-year-old Sharbat by Maryam Shakeev.

Arab Vegan food blogger Ms El Barshoumi, 23, from Saar, who works at a public relations and design agency, said: “It’s not that hard to be vegan here as I have been one for two-and-a-half-years. A lot of people think it’s impossible but it’s pretty accessible.

“Through the market I have been able to talk to people about being a vegan and receive great feedback about my recipes.”

Customers were snatching up items such as raw cookie dough pops and hummus aborigine eggplant sandwiches. They would then wash it down with a refreshing beverage from Sharbat. Her fresh fruit and juice mixes, which she makes from home, are inspired by traditional Bahraini concoctions.

Ms Sheekav, 22, from Hamad Town, offered Vimto, rose peach, ice tea Bahraini and blue ginger. Muntaser Abdulla, 26, a pilot from Saar, couldn’t get enough. He said: “I love the food here because it feels like home, particularly that made by an old Bahraini lady, including chai and machboos.

“Aside from the food, Market 338 is such a lively event to attend. It’s good to come out and support our local designers too.”

Fashion designer Abeer Abdulaal, 26, from Aali, was showcasing her free-spirited apparel and accessories to Bahrain at her Chillazian booth.

Ms Abdulaal said: “I design hippie clothes and jewellery for a living. I also purchase interesting items from abroad like Nepal and Thailand. I also make sure that 10 per cent of the proceeds go to children in need.
 
“I love wearing relaxed clothes and Chillazian means to live a relaxed lifestyle. It’s not glamorous but it’s still trendy, fashionable and comfortable. I am hoping to open a shop soon and I still want to keep the concept of giving to children in need in Bahrain.”

Her bracelets are priced at BD5 and other items she makes start from BD25.

Fashion designer, blogger and stylist Reem BuQais-Rivera, 24, who started The Bow Project in support of orphans in the kingdom, also had a stall. She said: “The Bow campaign has been popular and being at Market 338 gives people a chance to pick up the bows and talk to me about them.”

Shoppers were lining up at one stall to meet a Saudi Arabian designer and her cool girl brand Fyunka. Creative director of Obai and Hill design agency, Wafa Al Obaidat, was helping promote it for her client Alaa Balkhy at the stand.

Ms Al Obaidat said: “She illustrates everything and then prints them on T-shirts, iPhone covers, pillows, bags and more. She has quite a big following because of her quirky take on our culture with a humorous and sarcastic tone.
 
“She is really fun and this is her first time at Market 338. A bunch of girls have been queuing up to meet her.”
Her iPhone covers cost BD9 while her bags go for BD45.

Visitors also loved the ‘Mahatat’ installations from Khosh Hosh, a youth-lead organisation and independent urban think tank and research centre. Mahatat highlighted bus stops overlooking public spaces.

The market is open to the public until December 14 from 5pm to 10pm on Sundays to Wednesdays, 5pm to 11pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 11am to 5pm on Saturdays.

There is a ‘journeys of the wooden bus map-making workshop’ from 11am to 1pm and a ‘Who’s Afraid of Umm i7mar?’ theatre workshop from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday. A Crafts workshop is from 11am to 1pm and a Music workshop is at 3pm to 5pm on December 14.

The Music Relocators will perform tomorrow at 8pm and Yousif Al Jaberi will entertain the crowd on December 12 at 8pm. Saturday evenings at 8pm will also feature an Open Mic night.

For details, call 17717441 or email info@alriwaqartspace.com, www.alriwaqartspace.com