Geometric 'S' logo in metallic gold representing Shrekahnth fashion label.

Dubai Fashion Week - Arabian Nomads : Spring Summer 2011 Collection

Modern Arab Dress and Thobe Dress Collection with Cultural Prints

Model walking the runway in a tunic dress printed with Islamic embroidery textures in orange, black, and green, featuring pearl embroidery on the neckline.
Flared cap sleeve short tunic dress in habutai silk with motherboard print and crystal textures, embellished with crystal stick-ons.
Short dress with crystal-textured Islamic art print and falcon motif, with printed wings extending to the shoulders.
A short tunic dress with full sleeves gathered at the armhole, printed with a rearing horse.
Short silk satin dress with stained glass print, gathered at the low waist with a panel, and crystal embellishment on the neckline.
Model walking the runway in a short habutai silk dress with pink Islamic art crystal texture and a yellow and blue Hamsa motif, accented with crystal stick-ons
Flared jumpsuit with crystal-textured upper section and falcon wing print, gathered at the waist.
Short satin tunic dress cut on the bias with a print of Russian Matryoshka dolls and Arabic jewelry and gemstones, flared from the waist.
Silk satin jumpsuit with jodhpuri-style trousers and a pixelated Simurgh stained glass print, inspired by the Nadir Divan-Beghi portal in Bukhara, with Swarovski crystal neckline.

Arabian Nomads: A Journey Through Heritage and Innovation

Shrekahnth’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Arabian Nomads, was shown at Dubai Fashion Week at the Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah. The collection was complete with color, culture, and creative prints. Old traditions, art, and patterns from the Arab world and beyond inspired it. The designs took things from history and made them feel modern and fresh.

The show at Atlantis, Dubai, was the perfect setting. It was grand and beautiful, just like the clothes on display.

Cultural Print as Narrative

Every outfit in the collection conveyed a rich narrative, beautifully illustrated through the intricate prints on the fabric. Inspired by several sources, including the geometric patterns of Islamic art, the elegant shapes of falcon wings, and the vivid colours of stained glass windows found in old mosques, the designs drew on.

The textile prints were dominated by well-known motifs, including the Hamsa hand, which stands for protection and good fortune, giving each piece cultural value. While some designs drew on complex pieces of traditional jewellery, emphasizing the craftsmanship of gifted artists, others strangely combined modern technology with old artistry by incorporating Blackberry phone motherboard components.

This collection bridges different cultures and eras, masterfully demonstrating how fashion can harmoniously blend style with heritage, celebrating the beauty of diversity while honouring timeless traditions.

The Arab Dress and Thobe Reimagined

Classic Arab dress forms inspired many designs, including exquisite traditional robes and kaftans. But Shrekahnth gave these classic ideas fresh vitality. Some gowns cleverly cut on the bias, tastefully twisted sleeves, or had finely gathered waists to let the fabric cascade and drape elegantly.

The kaftans displayed an incredible range; some were ethereal and flowing, while others radiated more ordered grace. Though the designs embraced humility, they differentiated themselves with their current and new vitality, as the large sleeves of the thobe dresses emphasized their exquisite cuffs that attracted attention.

his kaftan from Shrekahnth’s Arabian Nomads – Spring/Summer 2011 offers a refined blend of modernist structure and Islamic ornamentation.
Exaggerated boat neck off-shoulder kaftan in taffeta silk with stained glass print in blues, yellows, and oranges, gathered at the waist like a peplum with pearl embroidery.
Long thobe-style dress with boat neck embroidered in Swarovski pearls, printed in stained and animal textures, with added chiffon panels at the hip and exaggerated barrel-cut cuffs.
Kaftan dress in satin silk with Russian matryoshka and old Arab jewelry print, short sleeves, gathered waist, and neckline embroidered with Swarovski crystals and pearls.
Crepe silk kaftan in green tones with falcon wing and Islamic floral print, gathered at the waist, floral neckline, and crystal stick-on embellishments.
Full-length kaftan in deep blue with geometric Islamic art and crystal texture print, gathered at the knees and shirred from underbust to waist.
Kimono sleeve thobe-style dress with symmetric Hamsa motifs in yellow, red, and blue over a brown Islamic art canvas, with pearl and crystal embroidery on the round neckline.
A long jalabiya-style kaftan in satin silk, printed with animal and snake textures

Embroidery and Details

The exquisite handwork that gave every item life was one of the most mesmerizing features of the collection. Many arab dresses had eye-catching necklines made of lustrous pearls and glittering Swarovski crystals that accentuated opulence. Remarkably creative, Shrekahnth included actual Blackberry phone parts into several of his creations, deftly embroidering them onto the fabric to produce surprising yet striking embellishments. Carefully placed to capture the light, the crystal elements accentuated the designs’ shapes and reflected the grace of a falcon’s wing or the subtle complexities of a floral pattern. Every item was a brilliant piece of art rather than only clothing.

Color Palette and Fabrics

Emerald greens, shimmering golds, royal purples, and deep blues were among the vivid palettes of rich and luxurious colours on exhibit. These colours melted together to produce amazing ombre effects in a few Arab dresses, giving every work complexity and mystery. Layers of intricacy in the finely crafted prints enthralled the eye and begged deeper investigation.

Shrekahnth expertly used a range of textiles to create different textures and effects. The taffeta silk gave the gowns a disciplined elegance that helped them to keep their formality and shape. Lighter materials, like chiffon and crepe silk, dropped gently and would be perfect for flowing kaftans’ designs. Combining these fabrics improved the visual appeal and offered a harmonic balance of softness and structure all across the collection.

A Timeless Offering

Beyond simple style, Shrekahnth’s Arabian Nomads collection creates a rich tapestry of cultural, personal, and narrative value. Inspired by the depths of history, the subtleties of religion, the beauty of nature, and the technological breakthroughs, every garment has significant meaning. The designer deftly shows how fashion may embrace futuristic possibilities while honouring time-honoured customs.

This collection captivates the senses and starts critical dialogues by harmonizing art, design, and cultural legacy in a spectacular celebration of beauty, intelligence, and visionary ideas

Crepe silk kaftan with Blackberry motherboard and button print, Islamic art backdrop, crystal textures in green, brown, and gold, with Swarovski pearl and actual motherboard embroidery on neckline.
Long crinkled silk chiffon kaftan with ombre floral print in blue, orange, and purple, featuring a rearing horse and Islamic art motifs, with twisted sleeves ending in barrel cuffs.