Pack of Cards

Right: and the beauties kept coming one more stunning than the other displaying the dresses inspired by the fineries of days gone by; above: designer Niran El-Samara'i

The organisers aimed at displaying the historical, artistic and cultural aspects of Arab women fashion through the succession of the different civilisations in time and place starting with Ancient Egypt and reaching to the Islamic era. The enchanting models displayed galabiyas, gowns and abayyas embroidered in gold thread inspired by the costumes of Nefertiti, Ashtar, Balqis, Cleopatra and Scheherazade. "My choice of these women is personal for they stand as icons of authority, beauty and elegance, each in her time and place. Through them I tried to capture the essence of what was and is still a source of inspiration to the designs of our modern dress." Thus spake Niran El-Samara'i, Iraqi designer and organiser of the show.

The many aspects of a woman's dress, were expressed in the choice of colours which seemed to be playing with the harmony and rhythm of the literary text which accompanied the show, and was written by veteran poet Farouk Shousha and of the oriental music played by Ayoun group led by Iraqi oud master Nassir Shamma who also directed the entire work.

Renowned broadcaster Salwa Jarrah accompanied the presentation commenting with her warm voice on the life story of the most beautiful women in the world. Think darlings that in a mere millennium, yours truly might figure prominently among these icons! I thought I should begin a serious photographic collection of Madame Sosostris in her various out of this world outfits. Maybe a short note on the materials used will be helpful, and I should not forget the various headdresses of course.

The show, held under the auspices of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak and in cooperation with the Egyptian Cultural Forum headed by former prime minister Abdel-Aziz Hegazi, was attended by Cairo's important personalities and arbiters of taste. Among others were Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, actor Hisham Abdel-Hamid, actress Madiha Youssri, cinema critic Rafiq El-Sabban, maestro Mustafa Nagi, artist Farid Fadel, tenor Hassan Kami, and famous broadcasters Sana' Mansour, Salma El-Shama', Durriya Sharafeddin as well as singer Mohamed Tharwat.