The world’s most expensive abaya (Islamic dress) is to be sold for £175,000 with a substantial donation going to Islamic Relief (IR).

The abaya- which is covered in 4,668 diamonds and 359.7 grams of white gold - was created by British fashion designer Bruce Oldfield (OBE) and will be on sale at the ‘Gulf Luxury Trade Fair’ at London’s Park Lane Intercontinental Hotel on Sunday August 3 2008.

IR was chosen to be the ‘long-term charity partner’ of the fair, which is Europe’s first luxury brands and business fair aimed at Gulf/Middle East residents visiting London.

Oldfield, who designed the wedding dress of Queen Rania of Jordan, is said to want the proceeds from the sale to benefit Palestinian children and so the money raised will go towards IR’s ‘Milk for pre-schoolers’ project, which distributes daily milk and fortified biscuits to pre-school children in Gaza.

“We are happy that the Saudi Gulf Luxury Trade Fair has chosen Islamic Relief as their long-term charity partner. The Intercontinental has a history of supporting good causes and we in Islamic Relief are delighted to be working together for the benefit of children in need in Gaza,” said IR UK’s Deputy Manager Abdul Aziz Rajab-Ali.

“We hope that our partnership will also serve to strengthen relationships between our communities in the UK and the people of the Middle East,” he added.

The trade fair will comprise exhibitions from over fifty retailers and designers including Harrods, Donna Karan, Bang & Olufsen, Mathaf Gallery and Arabian Oud.

IR’s worldwide ambassador Egyptian actress Hanan Turk will also be in attendance; meeting visitors at the IR stand.

The fair is supported by the Arab British Chamber of Commerce and runs from August 2-3, 2008, from 11am-11pm. Admission is free.

For more information on the fair click here.