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Bahrain-inspired fashion is on the rise across the kingdom with people proudly sporting red and white to represent their adoration for the island…as high-profile Radio Bahrain presenter Shannon Crocket did at a recent knockout-boxing event.
The 44-year-old master of ceremonies delighted more than 300 sports fans at the Bahrain Boxing Federation’s (BBF) Domestic at the Dilmun competition earlier this month, adorning a locally made red and white suit.
While his attire brought rounds of applause from the audience, little did he know that it would stir up lots of smiles and go viral on social media; drawing further attention to Bahrain-themed fashion.
“I wanted the suit to be memorable because of the occasion,” said the Australian RJ and operator of Stand Out Events in Sanabis. “In my own quirky way, I like to surprise people. I had many people on the day wanting photos with the suit, which I am always more than happy to do.”
Shannon moved to Bahrain in 2016 and will cross seven years next month. It’s the longest place he has lived in since he was 18 and loves the kingdom because it’s ‘one big melting pot of many cultures’.
“I have friends here from all over the world,” he said. “I enjoy learning about the history here, especially the Dilmun people and mounds. It has been fascinating to see how much Bahrain has grown in my time here and I love how humble and proud the Bahraini people are.”
It made sense that he wanted to honour the island he loves at such a major event put on by the BBF to promote boxing in the kingdom.
The event featured 20 bouts between boxers of all ages, ranging from schoolboys as young as 11 to adults in their 20s.
“The idea of the suit actually came to me last year when I had the opportunity to host events for Bahrain National Day, but it never happened,” he explained. “Then when I was asked to be the official boxing announcer for Bahrain’s first-ever outdoor boxing event with the Bahrain Boxing Federation, I wanted to wear something that was not only respectful to the event, but also to the kingdom. I had the suit tailor-made in Manama suq. It was made in four days with no alterations required. I was impressed.”
Suits aren’t the only thing turning heads on the island as many expats are now converting the ghutra (men’s headdress) into Western-style smart ties for the businessman around town.
“I have customers who ask for ghutras to be turned into ties,” said Suit Me tailor shop manager Jameel Mohammed. “Bahrain-inspired fashion is popular mostly during occasions such as National Day and gergaoun,” he added.
The love continues to pour for the kingdom as the beloved flag is now set to be featured on the big screen.
The Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) is organising a national competition for school students to produce a film about the ‘national flag’.
The BIPD will organise the contest in co-operation with the Education Ministry and the executive office of the national plan to promote the spirit of belonging to the nation and reinforce the values of patriotism ‘Bahrainouna’.
The event coincides with the kingdom’s celebrations of the 22nd anniversary of the adoption of the National Action Charter.
