New exhibition by Kasr Al-Hosni "Fashion Through the Years" which opened on December 16, showcases Abu Dhabi's textile and fashion trends from the 1940s to the 1980s.
As part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism's commitment to honor and preserve the UAE's cultural heritage, Qasr Al Khosni Palace is launching a new exhibition Fashion Through the Years, following the evolution of fashion trends in Abu Dhabi from the 1940s to the 1980s. The exhibition runs at Qasr Al Khosni from December 16 to February 16.
Through the prism of fashion and clothing of the Emirates, Fashion Through the Years explores the social history of the emirate and the history of its inhabitants through the clothes they wore and the accessories that adorned them.
Traditional Emirati clothing, a symbol of heritage, was often sewn and decorated by hand. The wearing of these garments and accessories turned into revered rituals, and this exhibition will explore the changes in clothing aesthetics and social norms that have taken place over the years. From the simplicity and functionality of clothing in the pre-oil period, to the limited external influences that came later to the region through international trade routes, the exhibition honors Abu Dhabi's deep traditional past and its diverse and inclusive culture.
"Fashion Through the Years is an amazing exhibition that provides a unique opportunity to explore the clothing trends and methods of self-expression from a decade ago. Visitors will be transported back in time to experience our ancestors' experiences and the UAE's rich heritage," said Salama Al Shamsi, Director of Qasr Al Khosni. "From the burqas worn by women during the journey from Al Watba to Al Ain, to the historical significance of those family members who carried daggers, as well as the amazing influence of European fashion on dresses, the exhibition will showcase the cultural significance of fashion in the emirate during a very important four decades of development and formation of the nation.
The commitment of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, to progress and his people is also evident through changes in fashion. Fashion Through the Years demonstrates how globalization has shaped trends by opening up trade routes in the region. By comparing simple handmade items worn by women in the pre-oil era in Abu Dhabi with custom-made garments from the 1970s and 1980s, the exhibition emphasizes the impact of a country's development on the techniques and materials used in fashion, as well as its impact on cultural identity.
The Fashion Through the Years exhibition, which will be held in three sections in the outer courtyard of Qasr Al Khosni, will feature more than 30 artifacts and garments of cultural significance. The exhibition will feature memorabilia such as necklaces donated by Her Excellency Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Qetbi, the "Mother of the Nation" and an exquisitely decorated burqa belonging to Fatima bint Mohamed bint Thani Al Mehairi. Other masterpieces include an album of personal and family photographs depicting fashion trends of the 1960s - 1980s; samples of various types of traditional embroidery (Talli, Badlahand Khoos); controversial headdresses and other jewelry; sewing tools and Talli; sewing machines of the early 20th century; intricate embroidery patterns; fabric dyes and much more.
Qasr Al Hosni is a national heritage site containing artifacts and archival materials dating back to 6000 BC, which trace the development of Abu Dhabi from an 18th-century fishing village to a modern global metropolis.
For more information about the Fashion Through the Years exhibition, please visit Qasralhosn.ae .
