Located in Mawaleh, Seeb, Oman, the COD has found a home for all of the items in the collection which will be on display and available to visitors. 

Keep your eye on this spot for future announcements!

The Oman Dress Project, or ODP, is 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. At present, there are over 600 items in teh collection.   If you'd like to help out in anyway, feel free to Contact Us.  We'd be happy to have you.

The COD has four great products and more to come in 2012.  If you have any great product ideas that promote traditional dress, please let us know.  Be sure to visit our Gift Shop for more details.  Good things await!

On March 18, 2011 the COD presented a workshop called Hands On Textiles and Trims at The British Museum, London, England.  This three hour workshop was an interactive experience with textiles and trims of the Sultanate during a presentation on traditional dress.  This was followed by a hands-on activity; learning to stitch the Omani kuma.

The next day, March 19, 2011 the COD directed three short workshops for families in the Ford Centre of the British Museum using the Flat Omani craft kits developed by the COD for children.  This is a teaching tool used in the Sultanate while teaching young students about traditional Omani dress.  At the museum the kit was combined with an opportunity for the children to dress in authentic Omani costumes, provided by The British Museum. 

In 2010 the COD assisted The British Museum in sourcing pieces for its Omani collection which would be used for the temporary exhibit on Oman’s costume and jewelry in 2011. 

In 2010 the COD assisted The British Museum by making available some of the COD products for sale in the gift shop of The British Museum during the temporary exhibition of 2011 on the Sultanate of Oman’s dress and jewelry. 

The softcover book was launched November 18, 2010 and is available through our website or at the following venues:  Family Bookshop (Madinat AlSultan Qaboos and Qurum), AlBustan Palace and Hotel gift shop, Bait Adam Museum, Bait Muzna Gallery, Bait Zubair Museum. 

In 2009 the COD was called upon by an organization in the Netherlands who was charged with the duty of exhibiting dresses at De Nieuwe Kerk, a museum also located in the Netherlands.  It was there that an exhibit on Oman was being produced.  Because the organization’s collection was short some of the necessary pieces, the COD agreed to offer our assistance by sourcing and sending the needful.  The COD’s efforts contributed to a successful dress display at this highly reputable museum.

In 2009 the COD assisted a museum located in the Netherlands,  De Nieuwe Kerk, in the acquisition of a specific Arabian textile which was to be used within the exhibition space on the Sultanate of Oman. 

The COD submitted video footage of a walking tour through Mutrah Souk and the surrounding communities, which aired on "The Oprah Winfrey Show:  Beauty Secrets From Around The World" on Thursday, November 20, 2008 in the United States.

This segment has been aired on MBC 4 multiple times but it might not be too late to catch it again.  Congratulations to Oman for having made its debut on the show!

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.

The COD has worked with the upper grade students who volunteered to carry out work for some COD projects.  In doing so, the students received Community Service Hours as part of their IB curriculum requirements.  One project has completed and the students' photographs appeared in two publications via the C.O.D.  The two other projects will be announced soon.

In February, 2009, the COD served in an advisory capacity to the American Women's Group "Omani Night" event.  From venue to food to entertainment, the COD assisted in the recreation of "henna night" in traditional Omani style.  This was followed by a Yola performance, provided by the COD. The night was rounded out with a large spread of traditional Omani food. 

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, and 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.

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.  This footage will be available for viewing at the new COD facility, opening soon.

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!)

After hurricane Gonu swept through the capital area,June 2007, the Omani Women's Association found themselves with a collection of clothing in need of tender, loving care.  The COD was called upon to resurrect these items.  Special thanks to the Textile Conservation Centre of England for their guidance and support through this process. 

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.  The loom will be on display at the new COD facility, opening soon.