Fashion pop-up ‘Atlad’ opens in Muscat today

An event highlighting the intersection of clothing waste, sustainability and creativity is taking place in Muscat today, Thursday, April 9.
Sustainable fashion pop-up ‘Atlad’, hosted by local artist Shahad al Hamdi, brings together artists, thrift vendors and community members to explore alternatives to fast fashion.
Speaking to the Observer, Al Hamdi shared,
“Atlad is a pop-up that brings together sustainability and creativity in the fashion industry”, Al Hamdi said. “I noticed that there isn’t a strong culture of sustainability in fashion here in Oman, so I wanted to encourage creativity in that field instead of people simply throwing away old garments or donating ones that are not actually usable for donation”.
“The event focuses on upcycling, getting creative, thrifting and bringing the community together to make a difference in whatever ways we can within the fast fashion industry”, she added.
Visitors attending the event will find a mix of slow fashion vendors, thrift selections and interactive activities centred around reusing clothing. Around 14 vendors are participating, including local creators who produce handmade or limited pieces.
Among the key attractions is a clothes swap corner, where visitors are encouraged to bring garments they no longer wear and exchange them with others.
“For you to really experience the event, you need to bring clothes with you”, Al Hamdi explained. “They can be pieces you’ve outgrown, clothes you’re bored of, or items you want to give new life to”. More information about the artist and the event can be found on Instagram at @shahadtheartist.

“If the clothes are still in good condition, you can swap them”, she said. “If they’re pieces you love but can’t wear anymore, there will be live artists who can help upcycle them”.
The event also features a craft corner where visitors can experiment with fabric scraps, collage textiles and create new pieces from old materials. A sewing station will also be available for those interested in repairing or transforming garments.
“There will be someone there with a sewing machine who can help create new solutions for your clothes”, Al Hamdi said. “Even if something feels too ruined to wear, you can still transform it into something else”.
Beyond the interactive elements, Al Hamdi will also present an art installation created from donated clothing that explores the impact and aftermath of fast fashion.
“The installation is created by the efforts of the entire community that donated these clothes”, she said.
Through the event, Al Hamdi hopes to challenge perceptions around second-hand fashion and encourage people to rethink how they engage with clothing.
“There’s no shame in wearing used clothes”, she said. “A lot of people still feel uncomfortable about it, but I’m trying to break that barrier”.
“I want people to see that instead of throwing clothes away or constantly buying from fast fashion, there are other options such as buying local, swapping, upcycling and getting creative as a community”.
The two-day event runs from 6 pm to 10 pm on April 9 and 10 at Locals Park in Al Qurum.