THE ZAY INITIATIVE Dress Collection Directory
Discover private and museum collections of traditional Arab garments in the Middle East
www.thezay.org Introduction
The Middle-East and Arab world is the cradle of civilisation. Over the centuries it has been the home of innumerable different cultures, ethnic groups, nations, religions, tribes and people groups, each with their own traditions of dress, body covers and adornments.
This directory is by no means an attempt to provide a complete picture of the dress culture of the region. It is merely a starting point. A nudge in the right direction. Use this as a guideline of where to find collections, where to learn more, and where to start your journey of discovery.
Many great museums across the world have precious collections of Arab and Middle Eastern costume and dress. In this directory we only list those collections that can be found in the Middle East. Some of them are in museums, some are in private possession and some of them are only accessible online.
www.thezay.org Oman
Collections: The Centre for Omani Dress Collection at the Bait Al Zubair Museum outside Muscat.
Books: Traditional Women's Dress of Oman by Julia M.Stehlin-Alzadjali The Craft Heritage of Oman by Neil Richardson & Marcia Dorr Silver Jewellery of Oman by Jehan S. Rajab
Other resources: Omani Heritage Gallery is a not-for-profit organisation supporting authentic Omani artisans and traditional crafts.
United Arab Emirates
Collections: The Sultani Collection owned by Dr Reem El Mutwalli
Books: Sultani Book by Dr ReemEl Mutwalli
Other resources: The Zay Initiative
Qatar
Collections: The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha has a textile collection including some costumes. The National Museum of Qatar in Doha has a costume and textile collection
Books: Bedouins of Qatar by Klaus Ferdinand
www.thezay.org 5
Bahrain
Collections: Bahrain National Museum in Manama has displays of costume and traditional craft
Yemen
Collections: The most comprehensive collection of Yemeni jewellery and dress items belongs to Marjorie Ransom. and can be seen in her book. She is based in the USA.
Books: Silver from the Land of Sheba by Marjorie Ransom
Saudi Arabia
Collections: Mansoojat Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working to revive and preserve the traditional ethnic designs and costumes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have an online museum
The Art of Heritage Garment and Textile Collection Museum in Riyadh. It is not on display.
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Other resources: Dr Leila Al Bassam - Saudi textile expert
www.thezay.org Kuwait
Collections: The Tareq Rajab Museum has an extensive collection of Arabian artefacts including textiles and jewellery
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Other resources: Bait Al Sadu run by Al Sadu Weaving Co-operative Society next to the National Museum of Kuwait
Iraq
Collections: The Kurdish Textile Museum in Erbil works to preserve the cultural textiles, craft and clothing of the nomadic tribes of Kurdistan Layla Pio private collection
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Other resources: Layla Pio - Iraqi textile expert
www.thezay.org Syria
Collections: The Tiraz Centre in Amman, Jordan has a fairly substantial Syrian collection
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Lebanon
Collections: The Silk Museum in Bsous is a private museum in an old silk factory. It documents the Lebanese Silk Industry
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Palestine
Collections: The Widad Kawar Collection is by far the most comprehensive collection of Palestinian clothes, embroideries and textiles. It is housed in the Tiraz Centre in Amman, Jordan.
Palestinian Heritage Centre in Bethlehem works to promote, revive, and preserve Palestinian cultural heritage, especially the arts of embroidery and traditional dressmaking.
Books: Threads of Identity - Widad Kawar Palestinian Embroidery - Widad Kawar Embroidery from Palestine - Shelagh Weir Palestinian Costume - Shelagh Weir Palestinian Costume - Jehan S. Rajab
www.thezay.org Jordan
Collections: The Tiraz Centre in Amman is home to Palestinian, Jordanian and Syrian dress collections
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Egypt
Collections: Shahira Mehrez Private Collection
Books: See Further Reading at the end of this list
Other resources: The Egyptian Textile Museum in Cairo has a small collection of textile artefacts
Morocco
Collections: The Berber Museum at Jardine Majorelle in Marrakech has a small collection of Berber traditional dress
Books: Moroccan Fashion - M. Angela Jansen Moroccan Textile Embroidery - Isabelle Denamur Women Artisans of Morocco - Susan Schaefer Davis
www.thezay.org Further Reading
Covering the Moon - Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood & Willem Vogelsang Indigo in the Arab World - Jenny Balfour-Paul Textiles of the Islamic World - John Gillow Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion: Volume 5 - Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood Encyclopedia of Embroidery from the Arab - Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood
If you know of any collection we have not listed, please let us know at [email protected]
Thank you and happy exploring!
Ma'asalama
The Zay Team.
www.thezay.org