Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – September 2026
Marking its second consecutive participation at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council is showcasing two exclusive collections that redefine traditional Emirati crafts as modern luxury creations. On display until 6 September at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi will be “Al Thaya Collection: Shaheen Edition,” inspired by the world of falconry, while the second is a jewellery collection created in collaboration with Emirati jeweller Adi Al Fardan. Exclusively crafted to honor Emirati Women’s Day, the jewellery collection draws inspiration from the Emirati craft of Al Safeefah, reinterprets traditional elements into luxurious designs.
Building further on its successful debut last year, Irthi’s return to ADIHEX 2026 underscores its commitment to promoting Emirati craft on the global stage. By creating new platforms that blend traditional craft knowledge with modern design, the Council is opening up new avenues for engagement with cultural heritage.
As one of the region’s leading specialised platforms celebrating the cultural heritage associated with hunting and equestrianism, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition makes for an ideal setting to share heritage-inspired designs with an audience that values cultural legacy and its contemporary design evolution.
Al Thaya Collection: Shaheen Edition
Capturing the spirit of falconry, the ‘Al Thaya Collection: Shaheen Edition’ is an exclusive collection, deeply rooted in Emirati culture, honoring Emirati values of authenticity, patience, and connection with the environment. The collection portrays a unique confluence of Emirati craftsmanship and innovation by fusing tradition Al Safeefah, weaving techniques with premium natural leather. Each design evokes the fluidity of a falcon’s wing and the details of the falcon hood, balancing beauty and function through a contemporary design language.
The collection includes falconry gloves, iPad cases, leather chains and cords crafted from natural calfskin. Their details incorporate elements inspired by Al Safeefah, falcon feathers and the knots of the falcon hood, translating the vocabulary of this heritage into pieces that combine practical use with meticulous craftsmanship.
H.E. Reem Bin Karam, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, said: “The value of Emirati crafts lies not only in their ability to preserve the details of the past, but also in their capacity to continue generating new meanings rooted in heritage. Through our participation in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, we seek to present the world of falconry through a contemporary design perspective that highlights the richness of this cultural heritage and affirms that craft remains a language capable of expressing identity, regardless of how its tools evolve or its applications diversify.”
Commenting on the collaboration with Adi Al Fardan, H.E. Reem Bin Karam added: “With this collaboration, Irthi continues to open new horizons for Emirati crafts by introducing them to diverse creative fields. Through Al Safeefah, we celebrate an enduring craft heritage preserved by generations of Emirati women. By integrating this heritage craft in the contemporary world of fine jewellery, the collection reflects its ability to evolve while retaining its identity and authenticity.”
Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council × Adi Al Fardan
The Council’s pavilion showcases an exclusive collection co-created by Irthi and renowned Emirati jeweller Adi Al Fardan. In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, the collection translates the aesthetic craft details of Al Safeefah into fine jewellery. The collection reimagines its unique geometric structures through contemporary design language that preserves the spirit of the craft and its Emirati identity, while carrying Adi Al Fardan’s distinctive signature in bespoke jewellery design and craftsmanship.
The collection comprises jewellery sets crafted in 18-karat white, yellow and rose gold and embellished with colourful gemstones that evoke the UAE flag, including red rubies, black diamonds, emeralds and white diamonds. Available for just one month as a limited-edition collection celebrating Emirati Women’s Day, it is currently on display at the Council’s pavilion at ADIHEX 2026. The occasion and platform reinforce the Council’s efforts to present Al Safeefah in a new context that brings together Emirati craft knowledge and the art of jewellery making. By blending authenticity with modern innovation, the Council continues to reintroduce Emirati crafts to global audiences.
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Interactive Workshops
The Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council pavilion is also hosting a series of live workshops, including a Al Safeefah bookmark workshop and a Talli keychain workshop. These interactive sessions allow exhibition visitors to discover traditional Emirati crafts up close and follow the different stages of their making, providing an engaging experience that introduces audiences to the manual skills behind these products. These Council-curated workshops emphasize the importance of passing craft knowledge to future generations .
On its opening day, the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council pavilion drew significant attention from visitors, heritage enthusiasts and design professionals. Attendees explored the curated collections and participated in live workshops, reflecting a growing interest in Emirati crafts. The participation reiterates the Council’s continuous efforts to expand the presence of Emirati crafts across Specialised platforms, strengthen their position as a source of creativity and innovation, and reinforce their role as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary design.