Elegantly designed in almost as many patterns as there are regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the amply cut, flowing, colorful and often elaborate women’s thobe—a word that means “garment” in Arabic—is enjoying a fashion revival.

Beyond virtuosity, Arab musical esthetics enjoin musicians to elicit an emotionally charged and frequently interactive relationship between musician and audience called tarab, using instruments from voices and hands to woodwinds, strings and percussion.