A tech makeover for the traditional shemagh

Ahmed AlHashimi, co-founder and CEO of Signature Yashmagh, speaks on merging heritage with modern retail standards

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Hashimi. You can find these in the online store or in the giftshops at the Museum of the Future and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

To understand the character of a culture, look to its traditions for the truth. In no other arena is this clearer than the wardrobe worn by its citizens. In the UAE, the shemagh, or the headdress worn by the men, talks of a people who value simplicity by design, detailing in key areas, and pragmatism that's infused in the everyday.

It's an element of the national dress, kandura, loved fiercely and worn proudly — by the people of the UAE. Case in point: In 2023, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi wore a traditional outfit while on the International Space Station during Eid. “It was a proud moment for us, the UAE, and the Arab world,” says Ahmed AlHashimi, co-founder and CEO of Signature Yashamgh, the brand behind the outfit. “Sultan Al Neyadi spent six months at the International Space Station, taking his Emirati identity with him. He wore a Signature Yashmagh ghutrah made specially for his mission. It symbolised how heritage can travel into the most futuristic frontier — space.”