DUBAI: Al-Qatt Al-Asiri is a traditional art form deeply rooted within the identity of the southern region in Saudi Arabia and is practiced exclusively by women. Billed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the art form involves decorating the interiors of the home with geometric shapes and tribal symbols. Al-Qatt Al-Asiri also served as the starting point for Egyptian designer Mariam Abdelghany’s newest collection of tailored separates for her ready-to-wear label Mamzi. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle “(Al-Qatt Al-Asiri) is an extremely inspirational, authentic art that opened my mind in a way that helped me create unique pieces,” Abdelghany told Arab News. Al-Qatt Al-Asiri is a traditional art form deeply rooted within the identity of the southern region in Saudi Arabia. Supplied The designer, who established her label in 2014, admits she was drawn to it from the moment she saw it at an event in Saudi Arabia. “There was an old woman painting Asiri art, and from that moment I was hooked on it,” she adds. To create the 18-piece collection, the designer used embroidered and printed fabrics. Supplied The designer’s new collection has been in the making for nearly two years, mostly because “Al-Qatt Al-Asiri needs to be given time, patience and commitment in order to create something that would do it justice as it is incredibly unique and involves many colors,” Abdelghany explains. “I wanted to showcase it in a modern way that would also represent the vision that I see for my brand.” The designer admits she was drawn to the art form from the moment she saw it. Supplied To create the 18-piece collection, Abdelghany used embroidered and printed fabrics. She also used handcrafted khayameya embroidery shaped specifically for Asiri art to add an authentic touch. The collection features a line-up of tailored separates, including skirts, blouses, jumpsuits and trousers that are each crafted with the geometric designs. The color palette reflects the bold hues associated with the traditional art form. Supplied As for the color palette, the designer opted for bold hues such as azure, orange, lavender and lemon to reflect the bright colors associated with the traditional art form. Describing her brand as “modern and edgy,” the designer states: “I believe that Al-Qatt Al-Asiri is extremely unique and will add so much to fashion. I always believed that fashion is a form of art. A very integral part of my job is to keep on looking for ways to create original and authentic pieces that would also be wearable and modern to match the age we’re living in.”