Abaya Designer: Rafia Helal Bin Drai

Before you read

What are the names of traditional clothes worn in the U.A.E. and other countries in the region?

[a/w – a few pictures of abayas – it would be good if we could include a ‘Mauzan’ design]

“My inspiration for designing the abaya is always the woman who wears it,” says Rafia Helal Bin Drai, founder and designer of Mauzzan Abayas. Born and raised in Al Ain, Rafia was always encouraged by her parents to follow her dreams. Rafia had a close bond with her father, and (1) ______.

Although Rafia completed a bachelor’s in Economics and Business Administration in the U.A.E., (2) ______she eventually went abroad to study art and design. However, her roots lay in the U.A.E. culture, which led to her interest in redesigning the traditional abaya. She wanted to produce an elegant but comfortable garment that a modern woman could wear with grace and style while respecting the local tradition and culture.

Rafia started designing her own abayas as a hobby, inspired by the art and quality of international fashion designs. This interest eventually turned into a career when (3) ______. As more and more women started buying her abayas, she used her background in business studies to open her own boutique in Al Ain in 1990. She called it ‘Mauzan,’ which in Arabic means ‘a rare pearl.’

Mauzan was a rare pearl that spread throughout the region with a large variety of elegant and fashionable designs on sale. She used the finest fabrics from France, Italy and Switzerland, (4) ______in her designs. She is the first fashion designer to introduce the delicate , pure silk chiffon into her Couture Abaya range.

(5) ______, so did her business. Now, 20 years later, Mauzan has over 300 highly skilled seamstresses working in her factory. They work entirely by hand, creating sophisticated embroideries and bringing stylish designs to life. Her company uses the latest laser-cutting machines to create Mauzan’s own fashion accessories. Mauzan now has five retail stores: one in Abu Dhabi, two in Al Ain and two in Dubai, with more set to open in the future.

Rafia’s expertise in developing a basic Abaya into a fashion statement is what sets her apart from other designers. (6) ______resulted in a new style of abaya that can make any woman feel comfortable, elegant and feminine throughout the day. (7) ______paired with great accessories, hair and make-up, the morning look can be transformed into a chic evening garment.

More recently, Rafia has been working on a new project. She is developing the local Emirati dress (the kaftan) to be a fashion trend for women around the world. (8) ______, and hopes to impress the world with more creative work in new fields apart from fashion, maybe one day even making use of new engineering techniques.

http://www.mauzan.com/en/article/about-us/the-designer.html

Reading comprehension

A) Complete the text with the phrases A-H.

A. adding lace and silk to create grace and a uniqueness B. As interest in her designs grew C. he realized the potential of his daughter’s creative talents. D. Her belief in classic yet modern designs E. her creative designs attracted the attention of other women. F. her heart remained in fashion: G. She continues to look for new inspiration and ideas H. They can be worn for any occasion:

B) Choose the correct phrases (A, B, C or D) to complete the sentences.

1. Rafia’s parents ______. A) encouraged her to study Economics and Business Administration B) wanted her to study abroad C) supported her interest in fashion D) both worked in the fashion industry

2. Rafia was interested in ______. A) designing traditional abayas B) combining a modern design with traditional values C) opening a boutique shop D) wearing elegant clothes

3. At first Rafia designed abayas ______. A) for someone else B) to sell in her boutique in Al Ain C) as part of her art and design course D) as a hobby

4. Her abayas are made ______. A) using only silk from Europe B) using the most up-to-date machines C) in France, Italy and Switzerland D) of the best fabrics available

5. She makes abayas that ______. A) are stylish and suitable for any event B) can only be worn in the evening

C) follow classic designs D) other are imitations of other designers

Vocabulary

Replace the bold words in the text with a word with a similar meaning from the box. ancestry became connection elegance fine and attractive look motivated promise skill stylish

Grammar

Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Be careful of the tense needed, for instance to find, found, finding etc.

1. Rafia’s parents always ______(encourage) her to pursue her dreams. 2. She ______(study) art and design in London. 3. Rafia wanted ______(design) something that was modern, while respecting the local tradition and culture. 4. Her creations soon became popular, with more and more women ______(buy) her abayas. 5. Her business ______(grow) from strength to strength over the past 20 years. 6. She ______(hope) her designs will inspire other people to think of a career in fashion. 7. Currently she ______(work) on a project to make the kaftan into a new fashion trend for women.

Critical thinking

Work in groups and discuss these questions.

1. Why do you think Rafia has been so successful? 2. Have you seen any of her designs? 3. From the text, what do you think makes her designs special? 4. In the text it mentions fashion accessories. What do you think these are? 5. What other piece of traditional clothing do you think could be given a modern twist? How?

Writing

Choose one of these fashion designers and carry out research to complete the chart. Then tell the class about your chosen person.

o Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasini o Amina Al Jassim o Mona al Mansouri

# Research Item Notes Sentence

1 Biographical • Name 1 information • Birth / Death 2

• City lived in 3 • Family 4

2 Education College / training 1

Subjects studied 2

3 Career Where the person 1 worked

4 Achievements Awards received 1

Successful events in their 2 life

5 My opinion Why do you admire this 1 person?

How does this person 2 contribute to their society and culture?

Extension

Imagine you are going to interview Rafia Helal Bin Drai. Write six interview questions you would like to ask her.

Work with a partner. Either role-play the interview using your questions or discuss what you think Rafia’s answers would be.