An iconic Italian fashion staple is getting a distinctly Emirati makeover. Emirati designer Khalid Shafar has teamed up with global fashion house FENDI and Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council to create an exclusive Emirati edition of the iconic Baguette bag, bringing traditional local craftsmanship into the world of luxury fashion.
12 Emirati Artisans and 435 Hours of Craftsmanship
The special edition bag is the result of an incredible collaboration involving 12 Emirati artisans from Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, who dedicated 435 hours over two years to bringing its intricate details to life.
At the heart of the design is Talli, a traditional Emirati craft involving the intricate interlacing of colourful threads to create decorative embroidery patterns.
A Closer Look at the Emirati-Inspired Design
The bag’s colour palette takes inspiration from the UAE’s natural landscape, moving between the deep green of palm trees and the grey and light green shades of the Ghaf tree. Mustard and gold tones evoke Ghaf blossoms and desert sunlight, while silver threads pay tribute to the materials traditionally used in Talli craftsmanship.
Another standout detail is Shafar’s reinterpretation of the Arabic letter, inspired by Kufic calligraphy and FENDI’s distinctive logo. Its geometric form is translated into a handwoven Talli pattern, bringing together the beauty of Arabic lettering and the Italian fashion house’s signature visual language.
Why Khalid Shafar Chose Talli
Under Khalid Shafar’s creative direction, the collaboration draws on the UAE’s cultural identity and natural surroundings, with Irthi’s craftswomen creating the Talli bands that form a central part of the bag’s design.
Commenting on the collaboration, the Emirati designer said:
“Choosing Talli craftsmanship for this collaboration was a fundamental step, as it is one of the UAE’s longstanding traditional crafts, carrying significant cultural and aesthetic value within our local community.”
More Than a Fashion Collaboration
Beyond bringing Emirati craftsmanship into contemporary luxury fashion, the limited-edition Baguette celebrates the meeting of generations of inherited artisanal skills and FENDI’s contemporary Italian vision.
The project also carries a humanitarian purpose, with part of the proceeds going towards The Big Heart Foundation‘s initiatives supporting refugees and vulnerable communities around the world.
Inside the Launch Event
The collaboration was unveiled at a launch event attended by Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Businesswomen’s Council, and Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdulla Al Qasimi, General Director of Rubu’ Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators.
Speaking about the significance of the partnership, Reem BinKaram, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, said:
“This collaboration with FENDI and Emirati designer Khalid Shafar represents an important step in our efforts to strengthen the presence of Emirati crafts within the global design industry and translate inherited artisanal skills into contemporary applications with creative and economic value.
By bringing together FENDI’s iconic design, Khalid Shafar’s creative vision, and the expertise of Irthi’s Emirati craftswomen, this collaboration gives a beloved fashion classic a whole new cultural story. It’s also another exciting step towards putting traditional Emirati craftsmanship on the global fashion map, one carefully woven thread at a time.
We Said This: Don’t Miss… 6 Dubai Fashion Week SS27 Collections That Had Us Looking Twice