The passion keeping Abu Dhabi's old souk alive: "This is where I can tell my story"

Abu Dhabi: This is where I can tell my story, says Iman ElHajj, the founder of the clothing line Darazean. To her, the old souk of Abu Dhabi is where her dream was born, not in her bedroom or on the school bench. She fondly remembers going to the souk with her father every Friday to buy toys, spices, and street food as a child. Years later, she opened her own shop in the old souk at the Abu Dhabi World Trade Centre.

Iman ElHajj, a Palestinian born and raised in Abu Dhabi, is one of the people keeping the old souk alive. Despite Abu Dhabi's rapid modernization and the shift to shopping malls and screens, the old souk only survives if someone chooses to open a shop there each day. Iman's passion for Arabic heritage and fashion, combined with her deep connection to the old souk, led her to turn her dream into a brand.

Born to parents who immigrated to the UAE in the early 1980s, Iman grew up in Abu Dhabi and studied computer engineering in university. However, her career has always been intertwined with her passion for Arabic heritage. The old souk holds a special place in her heart, known for its heritage and historical stories. Iman's clothing line, Darazean, is rooted in Arabic heritage and features Palestinian embroidery, a craft she learned from her grandmother and mother.

Darazean now operates three shops and a workshop near the souk, where handcrafted pieces are made by her personal tailors. A dress, for Iman, is a language that carries her family's traditions, expressing a woman's marital status, happiness, or sadness through color and pattern. Palestinian tatreez embroidery, some of which is over 100 years old, is highly valued and can be repurposed for new outfits, making it a lasting investment.

Despite the modernization of Abu Dhabi, the old souk continues to thrive. Iman believes that the souk offers a unique platform to showcase Arabic heritage and attract tourists, which in turn supports the local artists and craftspeople. She encourages others to support the art and artists, emphasizing the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.