5 Saudi Designers whose Fashion Forward Thinking Transformed Middle East Fashion
When we think of Fashion, we always think of Dubai as a fashion hub. But what gave Dubai & Saudi a fashion stature is the remarkable work of some home-grown designers. Carrying their fashion background with a sense of style, these women came forward and put Middle East on the fashion map with their creative and improvised traditional Arab clothing and coveted designs. These designers have left no stone unturned to bring a major change in what we refer today as “Arab Fashion”.
Middle Eastern countries may have some restriction when it comes to fashion and clothing but nothing stopped these women from revolutionizing the fashion industry and opening up a world of contrasts, contemporary designs and classic urban tailoring that has arabesque roots in every inch of it.
Today, we’re celebrating the dedication and hard-work of such designers who gave a broader outlook of the Arab Fashion to the world. Lets give them more power to bring a change in the fashion world and to keep inspiring amateur designers.
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Arwa Al Banawi
The Saudi born Arwa Al Banawi is a designer with core traditional values infused with a taste of the west. Her ready to wear label is for the modern day women that loves both street-wear and contemporary fashion. Arwa Al Banawi designs perfectly blends traditional Arab tailoring with modern designs and creating a range of silhouettes that are sharp, upstate and feminine. Arwa Al Banwai has collaborated with a lot of premium brands including Adidas Originals, Levi’s, KFC, and Pepsi. Some of her best-sellers include urban tailored suits and statement tees in Arabic writing.
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Honayda Serafi
She’s acknowledged by Forbes as the Top business women from the Middle East. Before becoming a designer, Honayda Serafi had strong links with fine arts. She cultivated her artistic talents from her mother who was a renowned fashion and art historian. Honayda, at a young age, immersed herself in the world of poetry and arts and blossomed it along her journey of becoming a fashion designer. Her namesake label, Honayda is a brand of creative perspective that communicates her strong roots and passion for the Middle East culture. This celebrated Saudi Arabia designer is a go-to designer for Hollywood A-listers and other popular celebrities. Honayda designer wear collection showcases the rich cultural heritage of her homeland, symbolizes women empowerment, art and modern day elegance of a women in subtle contrasting colors.
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Mashael Al Rajhi
Popular as a streetwear and couture designer, Mashael Al Rajhi is the first Saudi designers to take part in prestigious London Fashion Week. She is also the first designer to bring Hijabs to the fashion runway. Always keen on keeping her roots intact, she set up her brand exclusively in Riyadh and started rolling out designer collections for both men and women. Mashael made worldwide history when she teamed up with Nike in the year 2017 to bring their Nike Pro Hijab collection to the fashion-forward audience of Dubai. Her high-end designs coupled with Nike’s sporty touch included jackets, t-shirts, trainers and skirts. Her namesake label which started in 2013 is full of patterns, hand detailing, visual designs, high streetwear fashion and workwear.
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Herfah by Naeema
A fashion visionary that caught everyone’s attention by her ethical Arabian couture and sustainable luxury. Her signature design Farwa was remarkably unique and made a wave in the fashion world. Farwa is a traditional floor length fur-lined winter cloak/coat usually worn by men of Saudi. Naeema designers made it for women using sustainable fabrics along with faux fur, metallic jacquards, silk tassels and embroidery work which got a big approval from the fashion world. The renowned designer label Moda Operandi chose them for the best of Middle East trunk show in 2018. The artistic, thoughtful, hand embroidered designs, and earthy colors has made Herfah by Naeema one of the best Saudi designer.
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Razan Alazzouni
Razan Alazzouni is a flaming torch of the Middle East fashion industry. She has invoked elegance, delicacy and grace to the female fashion. Through her designer label, she communicates the sculptural and creative art form of fashion. Razan Alazzouni creations relies heavily of soft luxurious textured fabrics with an elegance of chiffon and silk to give it a feminine direction. Most of her costumes are made with utmost detailing and a signature flower layered and hand beaded in the highlighted areas of a dress or a fashion piece making it look glamorous and imaginative. You can shop her designer clothing line online here .
