Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia held its first fashion show on Friday featuring swimsuit models. This was a groundbreaking development in a country where only 10 years ago women were required to wear an abaya.
Featuring the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal, the poolside show included one-piece suits primarily in tones of red, beige and blue. Most models had their shoulders exposed and some had their midriffs partially visible.
“It is true that this country is very conservative, but we tried to show elegant swimwear that represents the Arab world,” Qanzal said. AFP.
“When I came here, I realized that the swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia was a historic moment,” she said. “It’s an honor to be a part of it,” she said, “because it’s my first time having an event like this.”
The show took place on the second day of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week at the St. Regis Red Sea resort on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.
The resort is part of Red Sea Global, one of the so-called giga projects at the center of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 social and economic reform program overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
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MBS, who became first in line to the throne in 2017, has launched a series of social reforms to soften Saudi Arabia's strict image.
Those changes included excluding religious police, reintroducing cinemas, and organizing mixed music festivals.
Syrian fashion influencer Shouq Mohammed, who attended Friday's show, said it was not surprising given Saudi Arabia's attempts to open its doors to the world and grow its fashion and tourism sectors.
In 2022, the fashion industry accounted for $12.5 billion, or 1.4% of the country's GDP, and employed 230,000 people, according to a report released last year by the official Saudi Fashion Council.
“This is my first time holding a swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia, so why not? Seriously, why not?” Shulk said. “It is possible and it is here.”
French influencer Raphael Simacourbe, who was also in attendance on Friday, said that in his eyes there was no danger, but in the Saudi context it was a huge achievement. “It was a very brave thing to do today. So I’m very excited to be a part of that,” he said.