If the many three-dimensional dress designs generated on paper by a batch of young girls at the Surreal Dress Card workshop is any indication, the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah has achieved its purpose of igniting children’s creativity and imagination.
The imaginative art workshop conducted by fashion consultant Azza Souebni is ideal for young lovers of fashion who wish to explore the spirit of surrealist arts and express their creativity through unique and whimsical designs.
In order to create their own dress cards, inspired by surrealist style, the girls were given the print of a human form; printed and coloured cupcake liners; flowers, hearts and other shapes in foam, cloth and glittery plastic; pencils, scissors and glue. The liners were folded or spread out to resemble a skirt or a dress while the flowers and stars were glued to them to make them appealing.
A little coloured foam went into giving the human form footwear or a hat. Some drew eyes, mouth and hair to make the character more feminine or drew flowers on the top the model wore. In the end, each child came up with creations that were distinct and attractive in their own way.
SCRF 2024, which will come to a close on May 12, has the theme “Once Upon a Hero”. The action-packed festival for young readers, artists and creatives as well as their families showcases millions of books including latest releases in children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature from across the globe.