Convertible Abaya Design Research

As a lead design researcher and co-developer, I led the Convertible Abaya project, an interdisciplinary initiative that explores how traditional cultural garments can evolve to support emerging social values like sustainability.

Prompted by the underuse of cycling in the UAE due in part to cultural and practical limitations of the abaya (a traditional Emirati women’s garment), our team set out to create a garment that enables abaya-wearers to cycle comfortably and safely in public spaces.
Building on a concept initiated in a student design course, I worked with collaborators across design, anthropology, fashion, and user experience to guide the research and prototyping process, incorporating students at every stage. We conducted surveys, interviews, and iterative user testing to identify key friction points in the existing garment’s interaction with bicycle mobility. Through a design research methodology, we developed and tested multiple scale and full-scale prototypes, arriving at a convertible abaya design that accommodates cycling without compromising modesty or cultural integrity.

Our final design uses a strategic closure system to transform the garment’s silhouette temporarily, supporting movement while maintaining visual familiarity. The project demonstrates how culturally grounded design interventions can encourage new behaviors, making sustainability feel more accessible and locally resonant.

The design is now the subject of a provisional patent and ongoing research dissemination, offering a case study in how design can respectfully and creatively reframe cultural symbols in light of global challenges.

Collaborators included: Judith Olson, Varvara Snitko, Maitha Alshamsi, Megan Marzolf, Ekin Basaran, Maitha Alghfeli, Sara Alanis, Vid Milaković, Am Silruk, Goffredo Puccetti