British fashion designer creates $365,000 Abaya

Zubair · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 02:41 PM

Britain's fashion designer to the royals, Bruce Oldfield, has unveiled what is thought to be the world's most expensive abaya, press reports said.

Last week in London, Oldfield put on display the 365,000-dollar black cloak decorated with bespoke Crosley diamonds on the collar and cuffs, UAE English-language daily The National reported on Saturday.

It said the previous record for the most expensive abaya was about 100,000 dollars.

Oldfield, 58, is most famous for dressing queens and princesses for their wedding days. His clients have included Jordan’s Queen Noor and Queen Rania and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

“This is the world’s first red carpet abaya,” the veteran couturier told the National from his Knightsbridge salon, adding that it was “only for princesses, my dear”.

The abaya is the highlight of the luxury Saudi Gulf Luxury Trade Fair, which takes place in London in August.

Oldfield told the paper he agreed to design the diamond-studded abaya on the condition that a percentage of the sales would be donated to a charity for Palestinian children.