Reporting from Toronto, Ismailimail speaks with Shoheb Gwaduri about the products in the gift shop. Ismailimail is also delighted to share a gallery of dozen images. Shoheb Gwaduri, Aga Khan Museum’s Manager of Business Development travelled across the Muslim world to bring unique products for the museum’s gift shop that were specifically designed using the museum’s collections, its architecture, jali motifs and geometry.
Shoheb Gwaduri, Aga Khan Museum’s Manager of Business Development standing at the entrance of the Gift Shop with products from 15 different countries. [Image: Ismailimail]“Seventy percent of the products are proprietary and exclusively designed for the Aga Khan Museum (AKM) and only available here,” remarks Gwaduri. “I worked with designers and we took inspiration from His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s art collection to create one of a kind pieces” he said proudly showing me beautiful earrings and pins, from Jordan. Brightly colored arabesque patterns on umbrellas, scarfs and ladies bags grab your attention, as one enters the shop.Other beautiful and unique products range from jewelry pieces designed and hand crafted in Jordan incorporating semi-precious stones from Palestine. Colorful Iznik ceramics from Turkey and porcelain products from Spain adorn the shelves in the middle of the store. Scarves from Afghanistan and Jaipur – northern India, populate the walls of the gift shop. Ladies bags from Uzbekistan, pillows from Tajikistan, and more scarves from Kyrgyzstan – all with Central Asian motifs, designed by local crafts people using “generationally passed down” techniques are also featured prominently.
There are toys and books for children. Bamiyan (Afghanistan) bears and donkey hand stitched by women’s collectives fill the top shelf at the back of the shop. Mother of pearl momento boxes, wooden animal toys from Darb al-Ahmar (area adjacent to the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo) fill other shelves. Both the Bamiyan and Cairo products are beneficiaries of AKDN quality of life projects in Afghanistan and Egypt respectively. There are wooden alphabet blocks in Arabic, Farsi, French and Japanese (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is next door to AKM).
There are shelves full of books on art, calligraphy, architecture and other topics. Beautifully carved bookends from Afghanistan lend support to colorful art books.
For men, there are Italian silk ties with AKM motifs and beautiful cufflinks.
Many other products remain to be discovered and Ismailimail encourages everyone to visit the gift store to discover more treasures. An on-line store will be coming soon.
AKM Masterpiece that inspires the Gift Shop products.
Ladies bag with a partial image of an AKM Masterpiece that also adorns the wall of the Gift Shop.
Brightly colored arabesque patterns adorn scarfs and ladies bags.
Brightly colored arabesque patterns on umbrellas, scarfs and ladies bags.
Pillows from Tajikistan with Central Asian motifs – designed by local crafts people.
Ladies bag from Uzbekistan with Central Asian motifs – designed by local crafts people.
Museum Shop (Image: Ismailimail/ASJM)
Colorful Iznik ceramic dishes from Turkey.
AKM Gift Shop – A selection of products spanning 15 different countries.
Turkish coffee cups with AKM inspired handle.
AKM Masterpiece informs patterns on a scarf made in Kyrgyzstan.
Shoheb Gwaduri extends Kyrgyz scarf to expose the beautiful design inspired by one of AKM’s Masterpieces.
Jewelry from Jordan with semi-precious stones from Palestine. jewelry design inspired by AKM collection.
Earrings inspired by the architectural design of AKM.
Pin inspired by the architectural design of AKM’s courtyard.
Italian silk ties based on AKM motifs.
Tie label “designed exclusively for Aga Khan Museum.”
Books on Art, Architecture and other related topics.
AKM Gift Shop – Children’s books, magnets, stickers and coasters.
Mother of Pearl momento box from Darb al-Ahmar, Cairo, Egypt.
Bamiyan (Afghanistan) bears and wooden animals from Darb al-Ahmar, Cairo, Egypt.
iPhone cases with AKM motiifs
Gift cards with images from the AKM collection.
All images copyright Ismailimail
All stories from Ismailimail reporting from the ground:
The products at the gift shop are very very impressive. The Italian ties are awesome, I wonder what are they priced at? I would want to gift them to my son in law. The Turkish plates also are very interesting. I wonder if they have with Allah or Mohammed or Aly on them.
Thank you. Gives a good idea what a gem the Museum and its contents are for those outside Toronto. Look fwd to visiting this great place that unites communities and people.
Ismailimail 
Great items. Very impressive.
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The products at the gift shop are very very impressive. The Italian ties are awesome, I wonder what are they priced at? I would want to gift them to my son in law. The Turkish plates also are very interesting. I wonder if they have with Allah or Mohammed or Aly on them.
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Reblogged this on Zarina's Weblog and commented:
What exquisite collection of gifts based on Islamic culture over
centuries
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Thank you. Gives a good idea what a gem the Museum and its contents are for those outside Toronto. Look fwd to visiting this great place that unites communities and people.
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