On Friday, Saudi Arabia hosted its first swimsuit-themed fashion show, a groundbreaking move in a nation where women were still expected to wear abayas less than ten years ago.
The majority of the one-piece suits in tones of red, beige, and blue were included in the poolside exhibition showcasing Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal’s creations. The majority of models had bare shoulders, while a few had some skin showing around their midriffs.
“We tried to show elegant swimsuits that represent the Arab world, but it’s true that this country is very conservative,” Qanzal told AFP.
“Coming here, we realized that this is the first swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia, as it is a historic occasion,” she remarked, calling her participation “an honor.”
The St Regis Red Sea Resort, located off the western coast of Saudi Arabia, hosted the fashion show on the second day of the first Red Sea Fashion Week.
The resort is a component of Red Sea Global, one of the so-called giga-projects that constitute the core of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) Vision 2030 social and economic reform initiative in Saudi Arabia.
A number of social changes have been started by MBS, who took the throne in 2017 and hopes to soften Saudi Arabia’s image of austerity.
Among these adjustments have been the removal of religious police, the reopening of theaters, and the planning of festivals featuring music for all genders.
Attending Friday’s event was Syrian fashion influencer Shouq Mohammed, who said it was not surprising considering Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become more globalized and expand its tourism and fashion industries.
A report released last year by the official Saudi Fashion Commission stated that the fashion industry in 2022 employed 230,000 people and brought in $12.5 billion, or 1.4% of the country’s GDP.
“This bikini fashion exhibition is a first for Saudi Arabia, but why not? Really, though, why not? stated Shouq. “We have proof that it is possible here.”
French influencer Raphael Simacourbe, who was present on Friday as well, claimed that while it didn’t seem risky in his opinion, it was a significant accomplishment in Saudi Arabia. He remarked, “I’m glad to be a part of it; that was very brave of them to do that today.”
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