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The Shurooq long jacket from Bouguessa falls to the ankle in a light textured olive cloth, with raw edges left along the front opening, contrast panels and a slit at the back. The label files it under abayas. On its own page the model is 180 centimetres tall and wears a small. Bouguessa, $650.
Bouguessa
Faiza Bouguessa founded Bouguessa in Dubai in 2014 and designs three collections a year from a studio in Dubai Design District. Her grandmother, a seamstress, taught her to knit and sew. The clothes are clean-cut and minimal, and many are made in the UAE. The Lena long trench is reversible dark blue gabardine with contrast piping, made in the UAE, $800. The Silvia kaftan in ash-brown satin belts at the waist and has one asymmetric sleeve, $350. The Mona kaftan is acetate with raglan shoulders and a bold black band along the hem, ankle length, $500. In August 2017, Beyoncé wore a Bouguessa emerald velvet robe to a fundraiser hosted by Solange Knowles. Shipping is free within the UAE, and free to the rest of the world on orders over $700; the label covers customs duties for eligible destinations.
- Silvia Kaftan - Ash Brown, Bouguessa, USD 350
- Mona Kaftan, Bouguessa, USD 500
Shatha Essa
Shatha Essa Al Mulla studied design at Zayed University and went on to the University of the Arts London and Harvard Business School. Her Dubai label, Shatha Essa, lists Farfetch, Bloomingdale's, Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue and Ounass among its stockists. The silk organza embellished abaya is off-white with fringe details, about $231. The scallop-embroidered long coat is quilted crinkled cotton, scalloped along the front, sleeves, hem and side slits, about $295.
- Silk Organza Embellished Abaya, Shatha Essa, AED 850 (about $231)
- Scallop Embroidered Quilt Detail Long Coat, Shatha Essa, AED 1,086 (about $295)
Muccii
Muccii is a Kuwaiti kaftan house that sorts its range from daily kaftans to atelier pieces, with a section for bishts and abayas. The dark green velvet kaftan has a stand collar and a long line of ivory fern embroidery down the front; it is one size, relaxed, 55 inches long, and the length can be altered on request, about $257. The black linen kaftan with gold embellishment is made to order in two to three days and runs from UK 6 to 24, about $390. Muccii ships worldwide by DHL Express in three to five business days.
- Dark Green Velvet Kaftan with Ivory Fern Embroidery, Muccii, KWD 79 (about $257)
- Black Linen - Gold Embellishment, Muccii, KWD 120 (about $390)
Abadia
Shahd AlShehail named Abadia for two Arabic words, abadi, timelessness, and badiah, desert. The label showed its first collection beside Paris Fashion Week in 2018 and in 2021 became the first Saudi label on Net-a-Porter. The Abadia bisht in almond is an oversized cut of soft mousseline in burnt almond, about $666. The Lily drop-hem bisht in black has a high collar, full sleeves and a hem that drops at the back, about $649.
- Abadia Bisht in Almond, Abadia, AED 2,450 (about $666)
- Lily Drop Hem Bisht in Black, Abadia, AED 2,385 (about $649)
Mona Al Shebil
Mona Al Shebil studied marketing and innovation management in the United States, then fashion design, and started her label in 2020; she is part of the 100 Saudi Brands organisation. Mona Al Shebil works in velvet. The light blue kaftan is floor length with a high Victorian lace collar and matching lace cuffs, about $467. The cape kaftan pairs velvet and crepe with a stone-set neckline in burgundy and gold, navy and silver or black and gold, about $561.
- Light blue High neck lace and velvet kaftan, Mona Al Shebil, SAR 1,750 (about $467)
- Cape Embellished neck kaftan, Mona Al Shebil, SAR 2,100 (about $561)
Noon by Noor
Cousins Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa started Noon by Noor in Bahrain in 2008. "Women should have fun wearing our clothes," Shaikha Haya says on the label's site. The Capa cape is full length in butter-yellow silk georgette, open at the front, tied at the neck and ruffled along the sides and hem, $525. The Samira coat is oversized sand taffeta with a double collar and a thin black ribbon belt, $895. International shipping is free on orders over $150.
- Capa Cape Top in Butter Yellow, Noon by Noor, USD 525
- Samira Coat in Sand, Noon by Noor, USD 895
The edit
Prices converted from dirhams, dinars and riyals at a fixed rate.
— The editors
