There’s no denying Abu Dhabi is a haven for high street shoppers – there are more than enough malls to choose from that are home to the likes of Topshop, Mango and H&M, or if you prefer big-name designers a trip to Abu Dhabi Mall alone will give you the chance to pick up some top-price pieces from the likes of Michael Kors or Tommy Hilfiger.
But what if you’re after something a little more original? Something unique? Well that’s a trickier task. Luckily for the city’s fashionistas, there are a few places where you can pick up quirky designs from local talent. The likes of S*uce at Marina Mall and Grafika at Al Wahda Mall – where cult brands share shelf space with individual pieces – provide the perfect antidote. And particularly striking are the works of Zorar.
Created by Farida Taalat, this range of bags and accessories uses buttons to create original designs, and includes some unique pieces. ‘I had a lot of buttons – spares from clothes, and others I’d collected – and I didn’t want to just throw them out,’ says Farida, reminiscing about what inspired her to design. ‘I designed a bag and had a tailor make it, then I stitched on all the buttons. People kept on stopping me in the street to ask where I got it from.’
Each bag takes between two and five days to complete, with Farida painstakingly sewing on each button herself. Despite the simplicity of the standard design – a straightforward square cotton bag lined with quality satin from Cairo, with a number of buttons stitched on – each bag has its own unique personality. Funky, brightly coloured buttons adorn one, while another has a simple beige motif; and materials vary in colour, with kiwi green, off-white and denim headlining the options, meaning this single concept can apply to women of all ages and a variety of tastes. ‘The younger buyers, or sometimes those in their twenties prefer this bag,’ says Farida, gesturing towards a particularly bright piece, where a number of coloured buttons and rubber bands have been stitched or pinned on. And it’s easy to see why – each individual ornament and bright colour comes together to form a punky, Harajuku-esque piece that is as interesting as it is individual. Another all-pink design has a cute and girly feel, while a bag adorned with buttons in varying shades of beige manages to be classy and understated. And it doesn’t stop at bags: camera cases, wall hangings and mobile phone holders are also available.
Farida’s designs and methods have come a long way since their humble beginnings as her creations grew in popularity, with women requesting custom bags and button motifs for their abayas. ‘Now that I’m creating more bags, I buy the buttons from all over the world; from France, Hong Kong and America, and use a variety of styles including wood, pearl and sterling silver,’ explains Farida. ‘But I also get antique buttons from friends or family, or collect interesting charms and ornaments, so each bag has one of those. It’s like a hidden gem.’
Zorar bags start at Dhs250 and are currently available at Grafika, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, as well as Boom & Mellow Mall of the Emirates, Tigerlily Wafi, and O’de Rose Al Wasl Road in Dubai.
