BEHIND THE VEIL- Farouque Abdela Launches Long anticipated book at Zanzibar International Film Festival 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

Farouque Abdela 

In Summary

Farouque was born in Zanzibar to a family of Comoros origin, but left at the tender age of fourteen, two years after the revolution. In London he studied fashion and has a long and illustrious career in the fashion world.

By Seif Kabelele

Behind the Veil is an insider’s look at the costumes and clothing of Zanzibar island over the last century. A Zanzibar native, Farouque Abdela was born into a family of craftsmen and has dedicated his life to creating and curating fashion. The book provides a rare insight into the diverse people and cultures of Zanzibar through the history of Zanzibari clothing. With commentary and captions that tell of the immensely rich history of the island, the book, as Karen Steen Director of Fashion Programs at Cazenovia College New York states, “conveys a narrative of the people who are part of that history.”

Farouque was born in Zanzibar to a family of Comoros origin, but left at the tender age of fourteen, two years after the revolution. In London he studied fashion and has a long and illustrious career in the fashion world. Farouque has opened shops in Abbey Road and West London, and has worked as a designer in the film and fashion industries. He has shown his designs,  some created for members of  the UAE Royal family and celebrities including Maya Angelu in shows across the world.

After returning to Zanzibar in 2004, Farouque has continued his work in fashion, but also has committed his time to charities, co-founding the Zanzibar Association of People  Living with HIV (ZAPHA+), and also as a patron of the Organization of People with Mental Illness. Behind the Veil has been over twenty years in the making, with Farouque’s idea for the book first being inspired in the 1980’s, as he explains, “I designed the costumes for the

West End play Tewodros at the Art theatre in London. The play was about the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik and the elaborate costumes inspired me to think about the variety of traditional clothing and costumes of my home.”

The launch of Behind the Veil took place during the Zanzibar International Film Festival in Stone Town on July 23rd.  The book will also be launched at The Smithsionian Museum in Washington DC along with a workshop between November 12 – 16th.

The book will be available in Zanzibar at Memories of Zanzibar