Yemeni women win traditional fashion awards

Country\'s first fashion competition was a success Yemeni fashion designer Hanaa al-Matari won first prize Thursday in the country\'s first competition of its kind in the country on the theme of traditional Yemeni attire with a contemporary touch. Designers Ishraq al-Sanhani and Nouriya Jassar came second and third out of 11 designers who took part in the contest.
The contest, sponsored by the Hiya foundation for culture, creativity and women\'s development, saw each contestant present four pieces, ranging from wedding gowns and traditional jalabiyas.
The show was attended by the Undersecretary of Culture, Najiba Haddad, the wife of the Yemeni foreign minister, Dr Azza Ghanem, the wives of some Arab and foreign ambassadors in Yemen, a large number of political and social figures and leading women, some female political and human rights activists, women authors and broadcasters and women interested in fashion and traditional costumes.
Hiya is a young NGO which seeks to uncover women\'s talents, help them put these talents to productive use, develop their skills and unite their efforts in setting up activities to bolster their abilities.