The Mansoojat Foundation Collection
The Mansoojat Foundation is a UK-registered charity established by a group of Saudi Arabian women who share a deep interest in the traditional costumes and heritage of Saudi Arabia. The foundation’s mission is to preserve and revive the traditional costumes, textiles, and embroidery of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; to promote and conduct academic research on the history and culture of the region; and to raise public awareness of this unique heritage.
The Mansoojat Foundation has amassed a collection of approximately 1,400 costume items, many of which have required extensive restoration. This collection showcases the rich diversity of traditional costumes, reflecting their social, geographical, and cultural contexts.
Documenting and classifying these costumes has involved years of meticulous research, field trips, and consultations with both academics and local experts. Given the vast regional diversity within Saudi Arabia, the foundation chose to collaborate with specialists from each region, leveraging their deep understanding of local history, culture, and traditions.
The costumes in the Mansoojat collection are organized by both tribal affiliation and geographical location, highlighting the unique cultural tapestry of Saudi Arabia. The geographical coverage of the collection varies, with some regions being more richly represented than others, based on the availability of costumes from donations and field trips.
The Mansoojat Foundation aims to provide an important introduction to the traditional costumes and heritage of Saudi Arabia, inspiring continued preservation and research efforts in this field.
Recent Collection Articles
Explore & discover the splendour of our collection
Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region little girl’s outfit
Najd and Central Region Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region little girl's outfit in pure silk. These thobes were specially commissioned and imported from India. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers.[...]
Najd and Central Region thobe in chiffon
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe in chiffon embroidered with sequins and gold thread. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the[...]
Najd and Central Region thobe of fine tulle
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe made of fine tulle with two silk side panels and multicoloured sequined sleeve borders. The yoke is embroidered with gold and silver threads. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been[...]
Wadi Dawasir silk thobe
Wadi Dawasir, Central Region Wadi Dawasir thobe of silk with very fine embroidery along the front and the two sleeves. These embroidery motifs are repeated on thobes from all over the Central Region and are applied to day and evening garments. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of[...]
Yam thobe
Yam tribe Yam thobe cut with a fitted waistband, ample skirt and wide triangular sleeves. The belt is hand woven leather and the headdress is made of wool. The great Wadi Najran drains the Asir highlands eastwards into the sands of the Empty Quarter, having irrigated much productive farmland along[...]