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Scarf aficionados
We speak with Dubai residents who would rarely leave home without draping their precious scarf
- PUBLISHED: Mon 30 Apr 2018, 12:00 AM UPDATED: Mon 30 Apr 2018, 2:00 AM
- By:
- Melissa Randhawa
They're real. These scarf aficionados, and exist even within the contrasts of Dubai's climate, thanks to the versatile nature of an accessory known as dress scarves. Made from silk, cotton or wool, these are not just for cold weather but for indoor wear, too. They are fashionable, readily available, accentuate one's personality, won't always break your budget, and often have that pop of colour with a contrasting hem to give them a marvellous sense of detail. As Kate Moss once remarked, "I like a scarf with a shirt, it throws it off a bit." But, more than fashion statements, a collection of scarves may tell a story of the wearer's personal journey through life.
For those who prefer nonchalance, the unstructured knots and unfussy wrapping can go a long way to making scarves look casual and sporty. Art collector, author and biking enthusiast, Shan Fazelbhoy says, "Scarves are a wonderful fashion accessory whether tied around your neck, your head, wrist or your handbag strap. They are super versatile and can add a touch of glamour and style."
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Her collection of cotton, silk and wool, is fit for all seasons - Russian winter to Japanese figures to branded motifs - and is a prized compilation of gifts and travel.
"When on my motorbike in Dubai, I usually stay with cotton or a mix of it, and although nothing prevents 'helmet hair' unfortunately, it at least keeps the damage under wraps - literally," says Fazelbhoy.
Scarf lover Deepali Sawlani got serious about scarves in 1996, when it was time to make her mark on the big world of corporate finance across the UAE, the US and Australia. While researching the various ways in which she could tie scarves, she read that the word 'scarf' originated from 'scar' in France. "French women used handkerchief scarves to cover any bruises on their neck," says Sawlani, who owns 50 curated scarves.
Deepali Sawlani
"My current favourite is Karl Lagerfield (seen in the picture) bought from Galleries Lafayette at The Dubai Mall. It's just perfect to couple up with coloured stone necklaces that I love designing," concludes Deepali.
More than being a fashion accessory, scarves are a way to bask in sunny memories and can hold tremendous sentimental value and commemorative significance to lovers of these precious strips of fabric. They often grow to become treasured items of one's wardrobe, and hold an almost sacred reverence over time.
In fact, people will dress up in a particular scarf, just as a way to honour the one who gifted it to them. It keeps fond memories of loved ones alive by ushering a sense of closeness to make up for fathoms of distance.
Like Simran's mother Jayanthi Prasad, who has been filling her daughter's wardrobe with handmade scarves she began to knit for her daughter after she left home to study in the UK. "It's something to keep me warm with all her love wrapped in it, which is why I'm rarely seen without one of my mother's scarves. I love the red scarf (seen in the picture) that my mother knitted me, and I think it resembles the red scarf emoji currently seen on Whatsapp," says Prasad.
Simran Prasad
In the recent years, scarves are becoming a staple of men's wear too, thanks to male bloggers and stylists who recommend it. After following their advice, a Dubai-based scarf aficionado named Glenn Livingston was inspired to add volume, layer and colour to his look and shares his personal tips on buying scarves.
1. I'm extremely picky when choosing the right scarf and do my research beforehand on the type of scarf I'm looking to buy and think deeply about my many outfits and how it will compliment them.
2. I prefer quite an oversized scarf when I'm casually dressed or wearing my coat - one that drapes over my shoulders and hangs past my waist. Bit of a tip, I always go to the women's section as they have much better scarves than men, and much more variety!
3. In stark contrast, when I'm suited and booted, a silk scarf is the pièce de resistance and becomes the main focal point of my outfit.
4. Finally, I think women wearing scarves adds class and style, when worn well it becomes a statement piece that most definitely turns heads!
Glenn Livingston
Ardent traveller Mulkraj Gadhvi collects pocket squares, scarves and mufflers from all over the world, affirming that if there's one set of clothing that he just can't do without, it's his curated folio of scarves and mufflers.
Mulkraj Gadhvi
Upon dwelling further, he explained how as a musician and vocalist at heart, Indian classical music demands certain types of care for one's throat. Extensive business travel and weather changes severely affect his vocal chords, so scarves are indispensable to him.
Mohamed Sawood is an Indian who has combined his penchant for scarves with Arab clothing. "Ever since I was a young boy going to school in Dubai, I remember spending hours trying to whisk the ghutra over my head, to carry it off like the style of Emirati men I admire. Wallah, one day after persisting till my arms ached, the ghutra fell perfectly into place. After that, there was no looking back," says Sawood. Recently, a loved one gifted him a grey pashmina with blue lining. His friends and family members add to his collection of scarves and pashminas, some sourced from Global Village in Dubai.
Mohamed Sawood
TREASURE TROVE OF SCARVES
Delna Prakshan says, "My love for scarves began while I was living in Spain. As with most cultures, there's always a part you take back and in this case, it was the way the ever-beautiful Spanish femmes wore their scarves. Today, it's almost a quirk to buy a scarf from every place I visit. It's like a little piece of memory I carry with me that's personal and could be an interesting conversation starter.
Delna Prakshan
"I've even noticed people gifting me scarves as souvenirs from their travels or "this is so you" kind of gifts. Whether it's Mango, Zara or any other high-street brand, the first section I dash to is the scarves display. However, I must admit, the ones I treasure most are the pieces that have a story behind them, just like the one I picked up at the Florence flea market with an imitation of a famous Renaissance painting. From the first time you drape a scarf, there's no looking back!
"From different designs, textures, fabrics, lengths, cuts and even tassels, scarves to me are a graceful and creative expression. In fact, most of my decisions on what I wear for the day depend on which scarf I can pair with it. I even have a selection of day and evening choices, casual and office, summer and winter. It's serious business for us scarf aficionados!"