Brunello Cucinelli gives the traditional abaya a contemporary spin

Brunello Cucinelli’s latest abaya range amalgamates the craftsmanship of the Italian fashion house with rich Arab traditions, bringing together histories of two strong cultures.

Crafted with the highest-quality materials and artisanal workmanship, Brunello Cucinelli’s current collection is rooted heavily in luxury. The abaya line features five different abaya styles, each with a matching Shayla. The silhouettes are available in two tailored styles: a traditional design with dropped shoulders and invisible buttons, and the other one is more structured and has details like blazer-style shoulders and shawl lapels – a trademark of the brand. Classic silk crêpe, laminated silk, summer-weight wool bearing traditional patterns and tone-on-tone overall sequins reflect the minimal yet opulent versatility of this collection.

Style 1: All-over sequins

This particular abaya style features eleven different pieces, each individually ornamented to generate an effortless end result. The glittering sequins reflect diffused light to create not just a statement with the outfit but a moment of art with fashion. This one-of-a-kind effect is perfected through a special embroidery machine, which takes about 23 hours and millions of sequins to craft a solo abaya. You can buy them in two neutral colours – warm beige and black, as it complements the shayla.

Style 2: Tone-on-tone regimental embroidery

To perfect the tone-on-tone pattern of this peculiar abaya style, all the eleven fabric pieces are individually embroidered with a regimental pattern. Sequins of two different sizes are used to reimagine the stripes from the house’s classic tailoring design. After 19 painstaking hours and thousands of sequins, the abaya finally becomes ready to hit the stores.