The Mansoojat Foundation
Every garment carries a story. We make sure it is not forgotten.
The Mansoojat Foundation protects the traditional textiles and costumes of Saudi Arabia – capturing the skills, identities, and histories woven into each piece, and passing this living heritage on to future generations.
About Us
Origins and Founding
Founded in 2002, The Mansoojat Foundation is dedicated to documenting, conserving, and celebrating the rich textile and costume traditions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its mission responds to an urgent need: the preservation of regional and tribal dress practices that were rapidly disappearing under the pressures of modernisation and globalisation.
Established by a group of passionate cultural advocates, the Foundation set out to safeguard these fragile traditions through careful research, collecting, and documentation. The name Mansoojat—derived from the Arabic word for “textiles” or “woven materials”—reflects the organisation’s core focus on clothing as a vital expression of identity, memory, and place.
What we do
Since its founding, The Mansoojat Foundation has developed a wide-ranging programme to protect and promote Saudi Arabia’s textile heritage through research, preservation, and public engagement.
Research and Collections
Through extensive fieldwork across the Kingdom—including the Asir, Hejaz, Najd, and Eastern Province—the Foundation has built a significant collection of traditional garments, accessories, and textiles. Each object is carefully documented to preserve its material, cultural context, and techniques.
Exhibitions and Publications
Mansoojat curates and contributes to exhibitions in Saudi Arabia and internationally, showcasing regional embroidery, weaving traditions, and distinctive design languages. This work is supported by authoritative books and catalogues that serve as key resources for researchers, curators, educators, and collectors.
Education and Partnerships
Workshops and educational programmes play a central role in passing traditional skills to younger generations, supporting cultural continuity and pride. The Foundation works closely with museums, universities, and cultural institutions in Saudi Arabia and abroad to extend the reach of its collection and foster international dialogue around Saudi textile heritage.
Impact and legacy
Over more than two decades, The Mansoojat Foundation has played a pivotal role in safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s textile traditions. By collecting, conserving, and sharing these garments, the Foundation has ensured that invaluable cultural knowledge is not lost.
Its work has also helped stimulate renewed interest in traditional dress—both within the Kingdom and internationally – highlighting textiles not as relics of the past, but as dynamic expressions of identity and creativity. Through exhibitions, publications, and education, Mansoojat continues to inspire new generations to value and sustain the traditions of their ancestors.
Looking Ahead
The Mansoojat Foundation is committed to building on this legacy. Future priorities include expanding the collection, strengthening education and public engagement, and increasing global access to its resources.
Key ambitions include the creation of a dedicated museum to house and interpret the collection, alongside the development of digital archives that will make Mansoojat’s holdings accessible to researchers, practitioners, and the wider public worldwide.
By preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s textile heritage, The Mansoojat Foundation ensures that this essential cultural legacy remains visible, valued, and alive for generations to come.
Our Mission
Our Objectives
Latest News
Explore & Discover
Aperture Now Streaming on MBC Shahid
We are delighted to share that Aperture, the new documentary following British heritage photographer and Mansoojat Foundation Trustee Richard Wilding, is now available to watch on MBC Shahid. The film follows Richard as he returns[...]
Dialogue between Art and Crafts
In line with our current exhibition WOVEN SPACES, Fenaa Alawwal has the pleasure to invite you to a panel discussion about the intersection of arts and crafts, based on the LIBAS collection by Iwan Maktabi.[...]
Diriyah Biennale Foundation
Save The Date 12 March to 18 March Diriyah Biennale Foundation
Recent Articles
Explore & Discover
Hijaz white burqu
Hijaz, Western Region Hijaz white burqu (face mask) of fine gauze which is heavily starched. It is embroidered along the front and comes with different floral motifs and in varying lengths. The Ka‘bah at Makkah (first established at the time of the prophet Abraham) is for Muslims the “Bait Allah” or “House of God”. It is the most sacred spot[...]
Hijaz milayah wrap
Hijaz, Western Region Hijaz milayah large rectangular wrap worn to go out. It is made of two panels with decorative bands and tassels along the edge. The silk fabric was either imported from India or Indonesia. The Ka‘bah at Makkah (first established at the time of the prophet Abraham) is for Muslims the “Bait Allah” or “House of God”. It[...]
Hijaz ensemble
Hijaz, Western Region Hijaz ensemble with the inner fitted zaboon embroidered in a floral design with gold thread and small sequins. The outer thobe is made of a sheer linen-like fabric. The Ka‘bah at Makkah (first established at the time of the prophet Abraham) is for Muslims the “Bait Allah” or “House of God”. It is the most sacred spot[...]
Hijaz boys’ fine silk velvet coat
Hijaz, Western Region Hijaz boys' fine silk velvet coat embroidered with sequins and gold thread. This type of garment was worn for traditional festivities. The Ka‘bah at Makkah (first established at the time of the prophet Abraham) is for Muslims the “Bait Allah” or “House of God”. It is the most sacred spot on Earth, and, with Mount Arafat a[...]