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TRADITIONAL Indian styles and designs are becoming a trend at Arab weddings and parties with more and more Bahrainis turning to Asian ethnic attire, according to local fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur Natasha Awaz.
Armani Fashions boutique in Muharraq, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, showcases a diverse collection, featuring lehengas (skirts), gararas (flared trousers), gowns and more, in vibrant colours and plush pastels, embroidered with opulent gold thread work and sparkly sequins that adorn sharp-cut blouses and flowy silhouettes.
While her designs are popular among Bahrain’s South-Asian expatriate community, a major chunk of her patrons are local women.
“Our styles are a hit at Arab weddings and henna functions,” the 33-year-old told GulfWeekly.
“While yellow and green coloured pieces are popular for henna events, we have a demand for all kinds of colours for the aroos (bridal) functions.
“Arabs appear to love Indian culture and what they have seen in Bollywood films. After trying on our dresses, some of them sing Indian songs and even groove in front of the mirror in our boutique!”
India’s relationship with the Arab world is understood to have begun at the end of the seventh century when Arab traders arrived on the subcontinent’s Western coast. Since then, the two have enjoyed a flourishing association both economically and culturally.
“Our collections are reasonably priced, ranging from BD8 up to BD50 for the heavily-embroidered pieces,” said the creative talent, who lives with her husband, Awaz bin Abid, a marketing manager, and their schoolboy son, Armaan bin Awaz, in Muharraq.
Natasha, an Indian expat from Kerala, arrived in Bahrain in 2012 and opened her boutique one year later. While the majority of her dresses are sourced from Indian cities such as Surat, Mumbai and Banaras, the artist also sketches her own designs, which are then completed through collaborations with tailoring shops.
In addition to finished outfits, a selection of ready-to-stitch pieces are equally popular with those seeking a more customised fitting.
“One of my own designs is a skirt and blouse style with a dupatta (stole) that has feather work on it,” she added. “It’s available in multiple colours including pastels, white and red. While it’s an Indian silhouette, the feathers lend it a modern feel, which makes the piece so versatile.
“We just finished Navratri (a nine-night Indian festival) earlier this month and the garba collection (skirt-and-blouse attire worn during the folk dances performed during Navratri) did quite well too.”
Natasha is not resting on her laurels, as the wedding season beckons with demands for traditional outfits, alongside modern examples with ethnic touches, plus her own original designs.
