The first-ever digital edition of Ataya will showcase Emirati designers hand-picked by The Higher Committee of Ataya, with donations awarding training to nurses around the world
Ataya – ‘giving’ in Arabic – is an annual charity exhibition organised by Emirates Red Crescent under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Assistant President for Women’s Affairs at Emirates Red Crescent and Head of Ataya Higher Committee, which raises funds for charitable establishments around the world.
This year – in honour of Ataya’s 10th anniversary – the exhibition is going digital, with Emirati designers able to showcase their creations on a unique online shopping platform until 31 May, whether it be fashion, accessories, crafts or home décor.
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Emirati designer Fatma AlOtaiba, the mind behind luxury handbag label Odeem, will be participating alongside other Emirati designers, including homeware brand Designed by Hind – created by Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi – which celebrates UAE culture and craftsmanship throughout its designs. Al Ghadeer UAE crafts, a non-profit organisation under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, the Emirates Red Crescent President’s Assistant for Women’s Affairs, is also participating, and continues to empower underprivileged women through sustainable crafts by providing them with training to join the creative workforce. Other Emirati brands include Alserkal Jewellery, designed by Sheikha Bint Abdullah Bin Eisa Al Serkal, The Twins Abayas and Sefeefa Collective – a brand striving to preserve the art of palm frond weaving.
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Regional designers are also getting involved to support Ataya’s cause. Lebanese jewellers L’Atelier Nawbar have signed on alongside fellow Lebanese design gallery KanZaman Arts&Crafts, who aim to promote Levantine handicrafts through everything from homeware to paintings and fashion. Inaash, a Lebanese non-profit organisation working to preserve Palestinian embroidery, is also selling their hand-made pieces, which provide financial support for Palestinian refugee women in camps across Lebanon.
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From a little further afield, Brazil’s Goldesign Bossa by designer Ana Albuquerque is showcasing nature-inspired accessories and home décor, and is just one of many international designers participating in the initiative.
Through donations and brand participation fees, this year Ataya aims to offer two hundred fully funded training grants to nurses in universities around the world and in the UAE. Since its inception, Ataya has donated over Dhs100 million. With this, Ataya was able to fund hospitals and healthcare centres, cover treatment costs for patients in need and support centres for autism and People of Determination in the UAE. To shop or make a donation visit atayaprojects.ae
Featured Image: Instagram/Odeem_official
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- Words by Savanna Smith
