Saudi Arabia. Everyone might think that this country is one of the most conservative and closed in the whole world and for fashion there is no place. But actually, you should close your eyes and forget about what was before 2018. Because the time when everything the most interesting started to be real is exactly 2018. It was a golden year for fashion in Saudi Arabia.
The first Arab Fashion Week
The first Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh in 2018 was the first one. It was the most memorable moment ever. The organizer of this was princessa Noora.
" I would like to see brands here that don't exist in many other parts of the world, and (I would like) to have production in Saudi Arabia, creating more jobs for women," Princess Noora said.
Without men, women at Fashion Week could wear whatever they liked, and most of them preferred elegant, modest dresses and jumpsuits. But there was someone who held views and wore abayas.
“Being in an Islamic country, we do need to respect our religion and dress conservatively, and a lot of women do love wearing the abaya. But it doesn’t have to be a black abaya—I’ve worn a silk coat before, and in Jeddah, you see women in bright colors and different silhouettes.”designer Arwa Al Banawi said.
There were collections by Tony Ward, who flew in from Lebanon; Bibisara by Asem Altynbekova, who is from Kazakhstan; Arwa Al Banawi, who grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and now works in Dubai (we said about her) ; Asory House by Rana Yousry, based in Egypt; Naja Saade, based in Lebanon; and Jean Paul Gaultier, who wasn’t in attendance, but sent his collection to Riyadh for the occasion.
In spite of everything, the first Fashion Week in Riyadh was that movement which might give other fashion opportunities in the country to improve yourself, Saudi Arabia will develop wider and wider until they will be on the top.
Designers in Saudi Arabia
Arwa Al Banawi
Her story of becoming a designer
In her young age as she worked as a banker, she noticed an emptiness in the market for womenswear, especially the clothes which were considered to be for business. The choice of that was not enough. And as fast as she can, after graduating from London college of fashion in Dubai Arwa Al Banawi got her own brand which was established in 2015.
The first Middle East designer to collaborate with Adidas
Adidas for Arwa Al Banawi was that brand that she admired in her young age. And getting the opportunity to work with Adidas was a big success for her. It was exactly what she was dreaming about. Being the first Middle East designer.
The one thing she emphasized is that Adidas celebrates their individuality, shows that you shouldn’t get shy in your own skin, you are the person like all we are.
“ADIDAS IS A BRAND THAT I LOOK UP TO. GROWING UP IT WAS ONE OF THE BRANDS THAT GAVE ME HOPE ” Arwa Al Banawi said.
Her limited collection of 10 items. “PE”
This collection was inspired by athletics. Idea which is covered there is to feel comfortable no matter who you are.
Arwa Al Banawi knew how to get people attention.
She produced such clothes like French terry knitted sweatpants with side slits, shiny Spandex leggings, and black oversized hoodies, the offering doubles as a dose of on-trend motivation for non-gym goers to hit the treadmill. Everything was considered in advance.
The exclusive elements were the T-shirt with logotype with arabic word “daring” and long-sleeved shirts with the inscription "You Say You Get Me But You Don't"
Gigi Hadid
Jelena Noura was born April 23, 1995. She is a founder and a creator director of clothing line “ Guest in Residence “, her own cashmere brand
“Cashmere is transformative," says Hadid. "But there's a seriousness that can surround cashmere and luxury."
How did she get to such a high height ?
She became known especially after making her debut in the Top 50 Models ranking at Models.com. The British Fashion Council had named her the International Model of the Year in 2016.
Hadid has made thirty-five appearances on international Vogue magazine covers
Gigi Hadid received the First Annual Fashion Los Angeles Award in 2015 for ‘Model of the Year.’
Arabs take care to wear stylish clothes every day. “ We love to dress up, show our fashion sense, and it's really attractive to designers " they said.