IT is always fascinating how far moms would go to emphasize their children’s sense of style. Rasha Alharthi and May Abulfaraj were desperately looking around for perfect thobes for their two-year-old daughters, Yasmeen and Ghalia, but the idea of having a thobe for this age and even younger was out of the question. Because the available designs were either too old fashioned, too heavy for babies or simply there were no small sizes available.
So they decided to go ahead with their ‘Little Patches’ project, aimed at designing the ideal thobes for little princesses from 6 months up to 14 years old. According to Abulfaraj and Alharthi: “The name ‘Little Patches’ comes from the idea of not using one kind of fabric in the design, so we are repatching fabrics around and the total look blends in, and as a result we have a unique, dressy, and trendy thobe.”The repatching technique was the key in making their designs popular because it made each design look like a doll’s dress.
The two designers tried to do something different and new to make sure their designs were not just typical thobes. However, they both stressed the vital role of the fabric which is the real star in making the designs successful: “The fabric was the leader in designing and creating the ideas.” Abulfaraj added.
The choice of material did not end with typical fabrics but extended as far as upholstery and drapery fabrics ranging all the way from cotton to silk, linen to chiffon. Keeping in mind the sensitive skin of their young clients, the base of all designs is made of 100 percent cotton, while other fabrics were used as patches. Another concern for the designers was to make each design as comfy as possible to make sure that little girls could move around easily and freely. Thinking of my three-year-old son, I could not but wonder why they did not offer thobes for boys. “We are aiming toward boys, but we are still testing the market. Girls are our priority, ”Abulfaraj explained.
There are many reasons for wanting your daughter or son to wear a thobe: It might be to mark the festive seasons of Ramadan and Eid; to reflect on their Muslim identity; or even to familiarize them with Saudi traditions. But the apparent reason is that every young girl in the world wants to look exactly like her mom. And if her mom wears thobes in Ramadan and Eid, why can’t she as well? As Alharthi explained simply: “It is so cute when you see them dressed like you.”
Prices range from SR300 to SR700, for more information on Little Patches designs call: 6635407 or/6635405.
