The Mudeem Collection by Aljoud Lootah
Dubai Design Week 2019 – With her new collection of boxes, Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah explores the endless possibilities inherent in camel leather.
Mudeem collection is a set of hand-crafted storage boxes inspired by the traditional Mandoos wooden chests, introduced in an innovative way, to celebrate the deep-rooted values of the Emirati culture and heritage.
Such tangible and intangible heritage is essential to preserve the past, but it is also essential that they are adapted and highlighted as our society changes. They evolve, to keep pace with a changing world, and also to provide a long-lasting link with our rich history.
Mudeem, which means long-lasting in Arabic, serves to document and draw attention to those aspects of culture that cannot easily be held but must be experienced.
The beautiful past, those memories, and that of the Mandoos inspire it. It aspires to keep the Emirati heritage inherent in every one’s heart permanently.
Unveiled at Downtown Design, the collection serves to explore the seemingly endless possibilities inherent in camel leather and highlights the delicacy and fineness of the material.
With Mudeem collection, the aim of Aljoud Lootah was to push boundaries, challenge ourselves, and deliver the uncommon. The collection examines new innovations in material manipulation while giving new presence to the traditional Mandoos storage boxes.
These series of physical manipulations resulted in sculptural forms that demand a 360-degree exploration and close examination of the details. Each detail is made by hand via pleating, layering, airbrushing and forging while other parts of the leather are folded, woven and cut out.
This manipulation of the material led to unique patterns and textures that resulted in a permanent three-dimensional surface. The creations are the result of vast experiments combined with refined craftsmanship and, most importantly, an innate passion for working with leather.
