lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

FASHION

Syrian-Kurdish women model traditional Kurdish attire during a fashion show in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli which A Syrian-Kurdish man models traditional A Syrian-Kurdish woman modeling traditional Kurdish attire coincides with the Day of Kurdish . — AFP photos Kurdish attire during a fashion show. poses in front of a Kurdish flag during a fashion show. 'S HIT CATWALK TO PROMOTE TRADITIONAL ATTIRE

n a shimmering dress, Efin Hissu strides confidently down a runway to the beat of at a fashion Ishow in northeast Syria showcasing a revival of the minority's traditional clothing. Her outfit is a riot of con- trasting patterns, starting with her full-length gown, a sien- na shade overlaid with a delicate leaf-like pattern in dark brown and gold thread. The exaggerated sleeves extend out at the cuff to form a point that sweeps delicately as she moves her arms. Over the dress is a black jacket, heavily embroidered in gold, and over her head and shoulders is a black, white and yellow headscarf held in place by a gold head- piece with dangling coins. Such an outfit would not have been seen in public in Syria's Kurdish regions in years past, under restrictions on the minority that also banned their language and denied them Syrian nationality. But after Syria's uprising began in March 2011, the govern- ment first relaxed some restrictions and then in 2012 withdrew most of its forces from Kurdish-majority areas in the country's north. In the wake of the withdrawal, the Kurdish community, who made up around 15 percent of Syria's pre-war popula- tion, has worked to revive its language and culture, includ- Tailors working non-stop ing its sartorial traditions. "This show is the first of its kind," In the past, Kurdish clothing was rarely seen in shops, said Medea Akko, 25, who helped supervise the fashion with tailors instead creating pieces at home, behind show held in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli. "Our closed doors and away from the eyes of the authorities. goal is to counter the marginalization of Kurdish clothing But today the situation is reversed, and Qamishli's tailors and to introduce it to society and the world," she added. are dealing with growing demand, particularly with the "Before the Syrian revolution, we couldn't even say that we approach of the Nowruz spring festival on March 21, were Kurds, but now the situation is different-I can wear when traditional dress is favored by celebrating Kurds. my clothes and speak Kurdish in our streets and our cities." "There is growing demand for Kurdish clothes since the The fashion show was held to coincide with the Day of revolution. They're worn particularly during the Nowruz Kurdish Clothing, on March 10, which has been marked in festival and for weddings," said Sami Moussa, who works neighboring Iraqi for years but only more recent- in Qamishli's tailors' district. ly in Syria's Kurdish areas. "Nowadays we don't stop working because demand is so high," he told AFP. "We're working on perhaps 100 'Feel like a queen' pieces a month, particularly in the spring, while before "Some people think that Kurdish clothing enhances (2011) we didn't do more than 10 pieces a month," he beauty," Akko told AFP. "And I feel like I'm a queen when I added. His dresses range in price from 40,000 Syrian wear Kurdish clothing." The show was sponsored by a local pounds ($80, 75 euros) to 80,000 ($160) depending on political party and featured 15 women and seven men the fabric and sewing work involved. Tailor Raed Yusef, modeling a range of traditional attire. It culminated with 38, speaks proudly about the array of options now avail- the arrival of a model in a traditional bridal outfit: a red able to those seeking traditional Kurdish attire. "In the robe with a heavy gold necklace and a diaphanous red veil. past, Kurdish clothes were made in secret," he said, seated As the men and women walked the runway, observers by his sewing machine. "But today we have customers in clapped along to the music and filmed the proceedings on Europe who we send clothes for them to wear at wed- cellphones. After the show, Hissu and her fellow models dings and on Nowruz. "A few days ago, for the first time, I walked proudly through the neighborhood still wearing made a traditional bridal gown for a bride to wear on her the traditional clothes. wedding day." — AFP "We're thrilled by this day-to be able to wear our tradi- tional Kurdish clothing and wander around in it in the streets of Qamishli and to celebrate this day in front of everyone," she told AFP. A traditional Kurdish outfit for women consists primarily of an ornate dress with exagger- ated long sleeves and a pointed cuff known as "krass". The gown is sometimes worn over a pair of wide trousers and accentuated with an embroidered coat. Ornamenting the outfit is an array of jewelry, including necklaces and bracelets, nose studs, anklets and a deco- rative belt of silver or gold. Men's outfits are simpler, though still distinctive, featuring trousers that billow out from the hips and nip back in at the ankles, secured with a thick belt of often-colorful fabric. The outfit includes a simple shirt and matching jacket or waistcoat and is topped with a wrapped from a scarf often featur- ing flowers or other patterns.