Sharjah’s Irthi Council Marks 10 Years of Craft Legacy

Sharjah’s Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council is celebrating its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of championing Emirati craftsmanship, empowering local artisans, and strengthening the emirate’s position as a global hub for creative industries.

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Council has grown from a local initiative into an international platform that redefines traditional crafts as tools for cultural exchange, economic growth, and social empowerment.

Over the past ten years, Irthi has worked relentlessly to preserve traditional Emirati crafts such as Talli, Khous, and Sadu, while introducing innovative collaborations with global designers and institutions. These efforts not only safeguard heritage but also reimagine it for modern audiences.

Through its training programmes, Irthi has empowered hundreds of Emirati women by equipping them with advanced craft and design skills. In partnership with fashion designer Majda Abu Zaghlan, Emirati women have mastered Palestinian and Jordanian embroidery techniques, while cultural exchange projects with Pakistani craftswomen under designer Rizwan Beyg have promoted mutual learning between communities.

The Council’s collaboration with Kuwait’s Al Sadu Society further strengthened regional ties, introducing Emirati craftswomen to the art of Sadu weaving, recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Expanding its reach beyond the Gulf, Irthi has partnered with international platforms like Dezeen and Design Miami to spotlight Emirati craftsmanship on the global design stage. At Design Miami 2021 in Shanghai, Irthi showcased “Zenobia” and “Al Thaya” — two collections blending traditional craft with contemporary aesthetics.

Marking its 10th anniversary, Irthi launched three new collections — Adham, Almoi, and Zenobia — created in collaboration with international designers such as Ricardo Rendón, Shaikha Bin Dhaher, Adrian Salvador Candela, and Nada Debs. Each piece reflected a fusion of Emirati heritage and global design sensibilities.

Irthi has also represented the UAE at major global events, including the London Design Fair, Milan Design Week, and the Valencia Design Festival, where it highlighted how traditional crafts can shape modern design thinking. Most recently, at Moscow Interior Design Week 2025, Irthi stood as the UAE’s sole representative, promoting sustainability, heritage, and women’s empowerment.

This milestone year aligns with Sharjah’s recognition as a “City of Crafts and Folk Arts” by UNESCO, further cementing the emirate’s role as a guardian of traditional craftsmanship and creative innovation.

Through its decade-long journey, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council has not only revived the spirit of Emirati artistry but also given it a modern voice — one that speaks of identity, skill, and timeless creativity.