Irthi Marks Ten Years Of Advancing Sharjah’s Craft Heritage And Empowering Women

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council marks its tenth year, reinforcing Sharjah's recognition as a "City of Crafts and Folk Arts" in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The council's decade-long mission has been to preserve Emirati craft traditions, support local craftswomen, and foster international design collaborations. Through quality programmes and global partnerships, Irthi has significantly advanced Sharjah’s craft scene and promoted cultural exchange worldwide.

Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Irthi has evolved from a local initiative into a global platform. This transformation highlights crafts as tools for economic, cultural, and social development, empowering craftswomen and elevating Emirati heritage crafts internationally. The council's efforts have positioned these crafts on the world stage.

To enhance skills among Emirati craftswomen, Irthi launched a training programme in Palestinian and Jordanian embroidery with fashion designer Majda Abu Zaghlan. This initiative teaches over ten embroidery stitches to Emirati women, boosting their artistic capabilities. Such programmes are part of Irthi's broader strategy to empower local artisans through skill development.

The "Craft Exchange" programme further exemplifies Irthi's commitment to social development. It included embroidery workshops led by Pakistani craftswomen trained under renowned designer Rizwan Beyg. In return, Irthi trained Pakistani artisans in traditional Emirati crafts like "Saffifa" and "Talli," promoting cross-cultural knowledge exchange.

Irthi expanded its international reach by signing agreements with leading design platforms like Dezeen and Design Miami. These collaborations highlight the region’s artisanal heritage on global stages. At Design Miami Global Platform in Shanghai 2021, Irthi presented collections "Zenobia" and "Al Thaya," celebrating UAE and Gulf artisanal heritage through contemporary designs incorporating traditional crafts like Talli and Khous.

As Design Miami's exclusive digital partner from the Gulf region, Irthi launched three collections for its 10th anniversary: Adham with Mexican designer Ricardo Rendón; Almoi with Shaikha Bin Dhaher and Spanish designer Adrian Salvador Candela; Zenobia with Lebanese designer Nada Debs. These collections showcase innovative designs rooted in regional craftsmanship.

Showcasing at Prestigious Events

In 2019, during the UAE’s participation as Guest of Honour at the London Design Fair, Irthi introduced 12 collections featuring 78 pieces of jewellery, décor, furniture, bags, and more. These works combined contemporary techniques with handcrafted elements, forming Irthi’s first comprehensive product line.

At Milan Design Week 2022, as the sole Arab entity present, Irthi showcased innovative collections like "Al Muwai" and "Al Nad," highlighting Emirati craftsmanship globally. Following this success in 2023 at Campi Auction House, they received invitations from Italy’s Ministry of Culture to exhibit at Palazzo Letta in Milan.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

The tenth anniversary aligns with Sharjah’s designation as a "City of Crafts and Folk Arts" by UNESCO. This recognition underscores the role of Emirati craft Talli in preserving intangible cultural heritage. Over the past decade, Irthi has been crucial in promoting these crafts on international platforms through programmes that document their sustainability.

At Moscow Interior Design Week 2025, as the exclusive representative of the UAE Pavilion and only Arab participant, Irthi showcased works reflecting Emirati heritage while promoting sustainability and empowering women. Their exhibits highlighted craftswomen as active partners in contemporary creative dialogue rooted in culture.

Irthi also participated in panel discussions on sustainability at this event. Their involvement emphasised knowledge transfer within the context of preserving traditional materials while integrating heritage into modern design practices.

With inputs from WAM