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

Lookbook - The Travels of Ibn Battuta : Autumn/Winter 2010–11 collection

Designer Kaftans and Modest Fashion from The Travels of Ibn Battuta Collection

Short green crepe silk dress with cap sleeves, featuring Islamic art print blended with Chinese floral motifs.
Circular short dress cut on the bias with kimono-style sleeves, printed with Japanese fan and floral motifs, finished with Swarovski pearl embellishments.
Green short dress with kimono sleeves featuring Islamic geometric art and neon animal prints, detailed with white crystal stick-ons on the pattern lines.
Best-selling short habutai silk dress with pink and black Islamic art background, Indian elephant print in geometric style, and Swarovski crystal embellishments.
Best-selling sleeveless bias-cut dress in black and pink Islamic art print with gold Omani khanjar motif and Swarovski crystal embellishment.
Full-length Moroccan-style jalabiya with full sleeves and hood, in satin and crinkle chiffon, featuring neon animal prints, Islamic art, and ombre fade to black.
Short habutai silk dress with cap sleeves featuring a digital print of Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
Classic satin silk kaftan with gold Omani khanjar motifs, red and green animal prints on a black base, pleated at the waist with Swarovski pearl and crystal embroidery.
Full-sleeve jalabiya dress of modest fashion with red and gold Victorian saree print, 3D printed gold jewelry neckline, and pink crinkled sleeves in Indian peacock feather print.
Short babydoll dress in silk taffeta with pearl embroidery, black and white Islamic print, and 3D emerald green Egyptian pyramids accented with Swarovski crystals.
Full-sleeve thobe dress in crepe silk with Persian dome architecture print, showing tiled patterns in graduated scale and 3D pearl detailing at the neckline.

A Collection Inspired by the Travels of Ibn Battuta

This 2010-2011 collection is based on the life of an Arab traveler, Ibn Battuta. He lived in the 1400s and traveled around several regions, including Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia. To fulfill the vision, the collection’s looks were digitally printed with cultural motifs and traditional Arab clothing styles and structures.

This collection includes many long dresses, such as kaftans and thobe dresses, as well as short dresses and wrap styles. The clothing is understated chiefly and constructed using premier textiles such as silk taffeta, chiffon, habutai, and georgette. Many pieces are embellished through meticulous finishing, such as Swarovski crystal placement, embroidery, and hand beading.

Designer Kaftans Inspired by Travel and Culture

Ibn Battuta’s travels greatly inspired this collection. His prints feature decorations from Indian jewelry, Persian domes, African animal prints, Chinese dragons, and even Japanese art.

Soft green Islamic patterns on Chinese floral textiles are a few collection motifs. Another is a circular-cut dress featuring kimono sleeves embellished with Japanese fan prints and Swarovski pearls.

Shrekahnth imported ethno-regional elephant motifs from India and ornamental dagger prints (khanjar), characteristic of Omani culture. Some motifs are seen on bias-cut dresses and full-length kaftans, and some are embroidered with crystal outlines. One dress has elephant-ear-shaped sleeves—an excellent demonstration of the craftmanship between cutting and printing.

Other designs feature peacock feathers, Persian carpets, and three-dimensional prints of the Egyptian pyramids, demonstrating the many visuals from Ibn Battuta’s journey that the designer synthesized. Each style has a story woven around travel, discovery, and cultural richness.

Detailing in the Designer Kaftans and Modest Fashion

This collection gives more attention to designer kaftans in modest fashion. Many are fitted at the waist or elasticated just under the bust, adding some shape while keeping the body covered. One silk chiffon kaftan has a vibrant zebra and cheetah print muted by a pearl and crystal embroidered collar. In contrast, another has a baby pink base adorned with peacock feather prints alongside 3D jewelry repoussé on the neck.

Also, the full-length dresses are accompanied by long sleeves, high necks, slit cutouts at the waist or shoulder, wrap details, or layered chiffon sleeves, as seen in the thobe and jalabiya styles.

For example, ‘The Last Look,’ one of the best sellers, is a stand-out piece described as a silk taffeta kaftan with a scanned vintage brown leather background print design featuring crystallized green pyramids, palm trees, and Bedouin camels draped with rugs. The psychedelic snake print inspired by Mcqueen’s last collection neckline showcases the designer’s blend of culture and bold visuals.

Full-length satin silk kimono sleeve dress in purple with Kanagawa wave print at waist and hem, and Chinese dragon print at center front.
Crinkle chiffon silk designer kaftan of modest fashion kaftan gathered at the waist with neon zebra and cheetah print on a black background, and Swarovski pearl and crystal embroidery on the high neck.
Thobe-style dress with Persian carpet print in blue and white, circular-cut from the waist, and high neckline embroidered with pearls and Swarovski crystals.
Silk georgette kaftan with Persian carpet print in deep purple and white, gathered at the waist and embellished with pearl and crystal embroidery at the center.
Classic designer kaftan of modest fashion in light pink crinkle silk chiffon with Indian peacock feather print, shirred from underbust to waist, 3D jewelry neckline, and real peacock feathers.

Colors and Fabrics

This collection features a well-balanced and rich color palette: deep tones of Persian blue, purple, red, and emerald green are complimented by neutral hues of black, white, and soft pink. Some prints utilize ombre dyeing that fades to black at the hem, bringing depth to the garment.

Flowing fabrics such as crinkle chiffon, habutai silk, georgette, and satin silk are used for their lightweight, luxurious nature and ability to hold digital prints. The soft cuts into the fabric are structured with gathers, bias cuts, or circular silhouettes crafted to allow smooth movement of the fabric on the body.

An Expedition in Modest Clothing and Fashion Print Design

Shrekahnth’s The Travels of Ibn Battuta illustrates the Arab, South Asian, and East Asian influences through contemporary and conservative patterns. Every dress or kaftan contains a design that represents part of a journey. Whether a Persian dome, peacock feather, or camel caravan, all elements are transformed to render the traveler’s memory in its sight.

The collection fuses high fashion and modest clothing with sculpted dresses, designer kaftans, bias cuts, and embellished necklines. It addresses women who need expressive, respectful cultural garments without compromising personal style.

Crinkled silk chiffon kaftan shirred from underbust to waist, in neon zebra and leopard print on a black background, with high collar embroidered in black pearls and white crystals.
Best-selling full-length silk taffeta kaftan with Islamic art over brown leather texture, green crystallized pyramids, palm trees, and camel caravan print, with psychedelic snake-print neckline.

The Travels of Ibn Battuta : Autumn/Winter 10/11
Dubai Fashion Week, Emirates Towers