In a landmark event, Saudi Arabia held its first-ever fashion show featuring swimsuit models on Friday, marking a significant cultural shift in the conservative kingdom. The event took place poolside at the luxurious St Regis Red Sea Resort, spotlighting the designs of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal.
The fashion show featured predominantly one-piece swimsuits in a palette of red, beige, and blue, reflecting a blend of modern style and cultural sensibilities. Yasmina Qanzal, speaking to AFP, emphasized the historic nature of the event. “When we came here, we understood that a swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia is a historic moment, because it is the first time to have such an event,” Qanzal stated.
This groundbreaking event was part of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week, an initiative aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 – a comprehensive plan aimed at diversifying the economy and fostering social reform. The St Regis Red Sea Resort, the venue for the show, is one of the prestigious developments under Red Sea Global, a mega-project overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Syrian fashion influencer Shouq Mohammed, who attended the show, noted the significance of the event within the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to globalize its economy and culture. “It is not surprising considering Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become more globalized and expand its tourism and fashion industries,” Mohammed commented.
The Saudi fashion industry has shown remarkable growth, with a report from the Saudi Fashion Commission revealing that in 2022, the industry employed 230,000 people and generated $12.5 billion, contributing 1.4% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
French influencer Raphael Simacourbe, also present at the event, remarked on the conservative yet significant nature of the show. “There was nothing risqué to my eyes, but in the Saudi context, it was a major achievement,” Simacourbe said.
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