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Bahraini designer Fatima Al Samahiji showcased her love for the kingdom’s crafts and creations by featuring her recent collection at a major fashion event in Thailand.
The talented 32-year-old art teacher - who has been creating clothing and trendy attire since she took a course and participated in a show in 2007 - was thrilled to represent the kingdom in the third International Thai Silk Fashion Week, in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit (the Queen Mother’s 90th birth anniversary).
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be the only designer to represent Bahrain in this fashion week and show,” said Fatima, who was invited for a second time to participate by the Bahrain Embassy in Bangkok and the Thai Silk Organisation. “It is an amazing feeling that can’t be described in words.”
The official celebration in the name of the Royal Thai Government was organised by the office of the Permanent Secretary and the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with the Association of Thai Culture and Promotions. Designers from more than 60 countries were invited to make a collection of traditional and contemporary outfits using Thai silk fabrics in its entirety.
Thai silk is produced from the cocoons of Thai silkworms and has many unique properties including a tightly woven fabric, fine grain and lustrous colours that do not fade after washing.
The fabrics are revered in Thailand as part of the country’s tradition and heritage, which her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, encourages the young generation to treasure. The fashion week was a wonderful opportunity to promote cross-cultural exchange and enhance multi-lateral relationships with various countries such as Bahrain.
Fatima created six garments for the fashion week, one of which was the Thobe Al Nashal to highlight Bahrain’s heritage and the other five were inspired by a coveted craft.
Traditionally, the embroidery of Thobe Al Nashal is hand-made while the main garment is natural silk.
“I created the thobe using green and purple patterned Thai silk fabric,” explained Fatima. All Thai silk fabrics used by the designers were brought from the Queen’s palace. “For the other garments, the inspiration came from Bahrain’s basket weaving craft which the island is famous for.
“I used the same technique of basket weaving and implemented it in my garments. The colours were also inspired by those of the baskets. All the dresses are made of Thai silk and I used tulle for the weave to emulate the rough texture of real baskets.”
Fatima is now back in Bahrain after a successful week of style and fashion fun. She hopes to continue creating and designing while teaching art to elementary students at one of the popular schools in Bahrain. She also hopes to open her own fashion atelier one day.
For now, she designs and creates her collections from her studio in A’ali. Fatima has a Bachelor’s in interior design from Al Ahlia University and a diploma in fashion design and dressmaking from Milano Italy’s Istituto di Moda Burgo. She has participated in several fashion shows and competitions in the kingdom. Fatima’s inspiration is her mum Aneesa, who she used to watch sewing dresses when she was a child.
“She also provided me with all the art mediums and sewing materials when I was young,” added Fatima.
“I’m eternally grateful to her and to the rest of my family and friends for supporting my fashion journey.”
For details, follow @ alsamahiji on Instagram.
