Outlier Series
Cultural Heritage in Fashion Curation: Contemporary Muslim Fashion
'Contemporary Muslim Fashion' is an award-winning exhibition hosted by Dr Reem El Mutwalli, founder of The Zay Initiative, and introduced by Emirati Designer Feryal Albastaki. Professor Reina Lewis of London College of Fashion was the consulting curator on the project. This one-of-a-kind fashion exhibition featured Muslim designers from around the world, including the UAE. In this session, we hear from the women of power behind this successful exhibition.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Lewis, is showcased in many media works, such as Woman’s Wear Daily, the New York Times, the Times, and The National. She is also the author of many Muslim fashion publications like Contemporary Style Cultures, Modest Fashion, and Contemporary Muslim Fashions to name a few.
Dr Reem El Mutwalli, Founder of The Zay Initiative, also makes an appearance. Her legacy, the 'Sultani' book and fashion collection, became one of the cornerstones of Emirati fashion and the foundation on which her Initiative was built. This non-profit, UK-registered initiative aims to preserve cultural heritage by collecting, documenting and digital archiving Arab historical attire and their stories.
Feryal Albastaki is yet another renowned fashion figure in the region, having participated in a number of exhibitions representing the UAE in Lebanon, London, Beligium, and India.
Joining the session also is Hafsa Lodi, an American-Muslim journalist who covers fashion and culture in the Middle East for The Independent, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Vogue Arabia, The National, and Mojeh. Her book Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, launched at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival.
