Centre for Omani Dress

The Oman Dress Project, or ODP is specifically about the study of Oman's traditional dress including garments and accessories, as well as textiles, cosmetics and jewelry.  The project actively began in 2004 and given it's broad scope, the work of researching and documenting is expected to last for over a decade.

Oman's Ministry of Tourism has the awesome responsibility of renovating some 22 forts and castles throughout Oman, AlHazim being one of them.  AlHazim is located 30 minutes outside of Rustaq in the AlBatinah region and coast.

The COD's effort towards this monumental task has been in the area of scene dressing.  The COD has created all of the costumes worn by the 20+ mannequins as reproductions of yesteryears.  Some scenes depict life 250 years ago and still other scenes reach back only as far as the 1970's.

In addition to the scene dressing of mannequins, the COD is also responsible for creating the cushion covers of over 50 different pieces used throught the castle.

It was important to the Ministry of Tourism that the work carried out in this region be of benefit to the residents of the community and so, therefore, the COD has made every effort to craft the garments in this community.  Most have been hand stitched by the local women.

A beautifully ornate house in Dhakliya region, on the way to Nizwa from Muscat, near to Jebal Akhdar, Bait AlRadaydah (in Birkat AlMoaz) is being renovated by the Ministry of Tourism and will soon become Oman's only but the region's finest weapons museum.

The COD was recommended for the scene dressing of 7 mannequins depicting Bedouins of the region from approximately 125 years ago.

Through the generosity of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the COD has been able to acquire an antique weaving loom used in the creation of hatheeya; a braided fringe used on the shayla, an outercovering worn by women.

Upon realizing that the fate of hatheeya was in danger, the COD filmed a documentary showing the step by step process of creating this beautiful woven fringe which can be shared with future generations to preserve this art.  We'd like to thank  IITC for making this documentary possible.

For the calendar year of 2007 the Historial Association of Oman requested the help of the COD.  The calendar is filled with 12 pages worth of beautiful color illustrated pictures and text.  (A few  remain available and are worth having because of their content.  Visit our Gift Shop to make your purchase!)