Saudi Arabia recently hosted its first-ever fashion show featuring swimsuit models, a groundbreaking event marking a significant shift in the country’s social landscape. Less than a decade ago, women were required to wear abayas, full-body covering robes. This landmark fashion show signals a new era for Saudi Arabia.
The inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week, held at the St Regis Red Sea Resort, showcased the designs of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal. The poolside presentation featured a collection of predominantly one-piece swimsuits in a palette of red, beige, and blue. Many models had bare shoulders, and some even revealed their midriffs, a bold statement in a nation known for its conservative dress code.
Qanzal described the collection as an attempt to showcase elegant swimsuits representing the Arab world while acknowledging the conservative nature of Saudi society. She emphasized the historical significance of the event, expressing her honor to participate in this pioneering moment for Saudi Arabian fashion.
The Red Sea Fashion Week is part of a larger initiative, Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This ambitious program aims to modernize Saudi Arabia’s economy and society. The introduction of fashion events like this aligns with the broader goals of opening the country to the world and fostering growth in the fashion and tourism sectors.
Prince Mohammed’s reforms have included relaxing restrictions on women’s dress code, allowing cinemas to reopen, and hosting mixed-gender music festivals. These changes represent a significant departure from the stricter interpretations of Islamic law that previously governed Saudi society.
The fashion industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid growth, contributing $12.5 billion, or 1.4 percent of the national GDP, in 2022 and employing approximately 230,000 individuals. The inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week and its groundbreaking swimsuit show symbolize the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and evolving fashion landscape. Attendees, including fashion influencers from Syria and France, expressed both surprise and enthusiasm for the event, recognizing its significance as a step towards greater openness and modernization. This bold move positions Saudi Arabia as a rising player in the global fashion arena.
