Emirati designer explains inspiration behind Dubai’s ‘first 3D printed dress’

An Emirati fashion designer has teamed up with an architect to create what is believed to be Dubai’s first 3D printed dress, a concept he says showcases the country’s design capabilities.

Khulood Thani’s beige dress is made from 3D-printed plastic cubes and camel leather – inspired by Dubai’s skyline of skyscrapers.

The dress shows “the contrast between the cultural and modern aspects of Dubai,” Thani told Al Arabiya English in an interview at her Dubai-based studio.

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A UAE-based tannery made the camel leather for the dress, which Thani believes is a key element.

“I think our role as a designer is to introduce people to something that can be produced in our country,” she said of the tanneries. “It was an eye-opener to show what the UAE has to offer.”

Bint Thani: Brand

Launched in 2012, Thani’s fashion label started out with hijabs for women.

Thani explained that she started her brand with hijab because it was something she wore but couldn’t find a style she liked in the market.

“[Turbans] It’s something I would wear when I travel, but I didn’t see a design that would fit into a hijab, so I thought it was a good opportunity to start,” says Thani.

Headquartered in Dubai – a city that has become the center of fashion in the Middle East and the world – the ‘Bint Thani’ brand has been known in the region over the years for its uniquely feminine designs that blend feminine style with architectural elements.

Inspiration for Dubai’s ‘Architectural Oasis’

Born and raised in Dubai, Thani describes how the city’s evolution has affected her brand. “I was born in the 80s, so I saw some revolutions in Dubai. From Sheikh Zayed Road (one of the main highways in Dubai) to just the World Trade Center, we are living in an oasis of modern architecture.”

“Whenever I drive into the city, I look at the buildings. I think that shapes my personality as a Dubainer a lot, and I like to show that in my collections,” she says.

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recently attended International fashion show – an annual initiative organized by the British Council during London Fashion Week – and fashion forward In Dubai, the Emirati designer said it was important to reflect her roots and background in the brand. Each collection reflects a story that dates back to the UAE, she explained.

“There are all kinds of styles in the Middle East, but we’re all different,” she said.

“As a Dubai native, I try to make my collection a contemporary Emirati brand with our own stories that are purely inspired by our city.

“Globalization is good, but it’s also good to have your own fashion identity,” she added.

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