Meet the Rising Talents of Saudi Fashion
Will Saudi Arabia become the next destination for those seeking rising fashion talents? That’s the aim behind the Jeddah Vogue Fashion Experience, masterminded by HRH Princess Adelah bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Italian Vogue’s Franca Sozzani. A contest to promote young Saudi women designers held from April 20 to 22nd in Jeddah (a fascinating ancient city regarded as the kingdom’s cultural capital), it’s earned support from the likes of Wafaa Abbar, president of the luxury department store Rubaiyat. It was a rare opportunity granted to international editors and journalists to access the rarely seen lifestyle of Saudi Arabia’s female elite. Passionate about fashion—the more lavish, colorful, and feminine, the better—they’ve got the means to afford it, and are among the most coveted customers on the planet for megabrands.
Saudi society operates on a strict set of religious rules, but in the last 10 years restrictions on women’s public behavior have started to slowly ease up, as explained by Princess Adelah during a press reception at her elegant home in Jeddah. “Obstacles fuel creativity, limitations feed opportunities,” added Abbar, nodding to the new wave of Saudi female fashion designers, working around the intricacies of Saudi sanctions in order to express their visions. It proved a spot-on statement: The 10 budding talents’ collections offered a fresh take on tradition that was as respectful as it was appealing and modern. An international jury included Naomi Campbell, Silvia Venturini Fendi and daughter Delfina Delettrez, Farida Khelfa, Alberta Ferretti, and Stella Jean.
The three-day tour de force of meetings, collection showcases, fashion talks, and forums culminated in a lavish charity gala dinner for 400 female-only guests, held in Princess Adelah’s majestic gardens overlooking the Red Sea. The upper echelons of the aristocracy and high society were out in force, decked out in couture evening gowns, with full-on makeup and towering coiffures to match. Per Princess Adelah: “It is of essence for us to show Saudi culture to the world and to celebrate the increasing important role that women are playing in our society.”
Meet the 10 finalists—including winners Chador and Haal Inc.—here.
Photo: Courtesy of Chador1/10Chador by Nora Aldamer
Nora Aldamer snatched the Jeddah Vogue Fashion Experience Award with her sophisticated collection, Chador. Passionate about fashion and with no formal design background, she launched her brand in 2013. Her modern take on traditional shapes makes for a streamlined, elegant look, with a focus on quality fabrics sourced abroad. She’ll have the chance to show her collection in Milan next season for Spring 2017.
Photo: Courtesy of Haal Inc.2/10Haal Inc. by Nouf Hakeem and Mariam Bin Mahfouz
With their label, Haal Inc., Nouf Hakeem and Mariam Bin Mahfouz scored the Jury’s Special Mention for their modern interpretation of the traditional Saudi abaya. Emphasizing their love and pride for their heritage (the name was inspired by the Arabic name for cardamom, a staple spice in the country), the two Saudi beauties are keen on giving their abayas a contemporary, luxurious allure, working with fine fabrics in neutral shades.
Photo: Courtesy of Arwa Hussein Al Banawi3/10Arwa Al Banawi
Born in Jeddah and educated in Switzerland, Arwa Al Banawi left a background in finance, following her passion for fashion and taking courses in fashion design in London. Now based in Dubai, her cosmopolitan upbringing is apparent in her collections, where elongated lines, typical of the traditional regional garb, are shortened and layered in an experimental yet streamlined way.
Photo: Courtesy of Atulier4/10Atulier by Samar Nasraldin
Born in Jeddah, Samar Nasraldin comes from an artistic family who encouraged her to indulge her passion for fashion and to pursue a career in it. After a course at Jeddah’s Millennium Institute of Technology, she enrolled at London’s Central Saint Martins, and then moved to Paris. Atulier, launched in 2014, reflects her experimental vision and her love for innovative shapes and malleable textures.
Photo: courtesy of Badawiah5/10Badawiah by Safiah Alaquil
Badawiah, from Saudi-Argentine designer Safiah Alaquil, offers a playful take on traditional abayas, embroidered and appliquéd with colorful trimmings and traditional motifs. Alaquil is keen to blend different cultures into her work, with a focus on artisanal techniques and handmade textiles. She also donates partial proceeds from her collections to children in need, to support local handicraft communities.
