Deeply conservative Muslim kingdom hosts first-ever Arab Fashion Week
Deeply conservative Muslim kingdom, Saudi Arabia hosts its first ever Fashion Week.
Fashionable women, dark-haired Saudis and blonde Eastern Europeans alike, fill the halls of Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, marking the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s first-ever fashion week.
Models and make-up artists, preparing for the inaugural Saudi episode of Arab Fashion Week were absolutely surprised and excited to be a part of it.
“We are so excited because this is the first fashion week in Saudi Arabia, so we are making history,” model Anita Dmycroska said.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has reined in religious police, introduced public concerts, and lifted bans on cinemas and women driving. Yet, restrictions persist. Tuesday’s reception was open to men and cameras, but only women are permitted at catwalk events and outside photography is barred.
Another tent holds the catwalk, featuring designers from Brazil, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Industry figures from Italy, Russia and Lebanon flocked to Riyadh, many for the first time, to admire the work of local and international designers.
Layla Issa Abouzeid, Saudi Arabia country director for the Dubai-based Arab Fashion Council (AFC) organising the event, said 1,500 people were expected to attend, including 400 from abroad.
“[When] people go to Paris on the Paris Fashion week, the hotels are fully booked,” she said. “I want to create the same demand in Saudi Arabia, twice a year. I want to create a platform for the local designers to go worldwide.”
Lebanese designer Naja Saade came to Riyadh to display his couture collection. “I’m very proud to participate in this first edition of Arab Fashion Week in Saudi Arabia, because it’s a part of the revolution of the women in this country,” he said.
Jacob Abrian, AFC founder and chief executive, said many Arabs have had to leave their countries to pursue a career in fashion, but this recurring event allows them to stay in the region. “I was always asking myself, why do we Arabs have to travel abroad to find our future? Why can’t we find our future in our own countries?”
-PTC News
