On Friday, Saudi Arabia conducted its pioneering fashion show displaying swimwear, marking a bold step in a nation where women were mandated to wear fully-covering abaya robes up until a few years ago.
The event, held by the poolside and showcasing designs by Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal, featured mainly one-piece swimsuits in hues of red, beige, and blue. Several models showcased designs with bare shoulders, and some even revealed partial midriffs.
“We acknowledge the conservative nature of this country, but we aimed to present swimsuits that are both elegant and reflective of the Arab culture,” Qanzal explained to AFP.
“This is a groundbreaking moment for Saudi Arabia, hosting its first-ever swimsuit fashion show,” Qanzal continued, expressing her pride in participating in such a historic event.
The fashion show was part of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week, held at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort on Saudi Arabia’s western coast. This venue is a key project under the ambit of Red Sea Global, integral to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which is driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reformative agenda.
Prince Mohammed’s reforms transform Saudi society amidst tightened control
Since becoming the heir apparent in 2017, Prince Mohammed has launched numerous social reforms aimed at moderating the kingdom’s strict image, which historically aligned with the strict Wahhabist interpretation of Islam. These reforms range from curtailing the powers of the religious police and reintroducing cinemas, to allowing mixed-gender music events, even as the government tightens its grip on dissenters, including conservative clerics opposed to such reforms.
Shouq Mohammed, a Syrian fashion influencer who attended the event, remarked on the logical progression of Saudi Arabia’s expanding openness, particularly in fostering its fashion and tourism industries. According to last year’s report by the Saudi Fashion Commission, the fashion sector contributed $12.5 billion to the national GDP and employed around 230,000 individuals. “It makes perfect sense to host a swimsuit fashion show here in Saudi Arabia. Why not? It’s feasible, and it’s happening,” Mohammed stated.
French influencer Raphael Simacourbe, also present at the show, observed that while the event might not seem daring by Western standards, it represented a significant step forward within the Saudi context. “It’s quite courageous of them to undertake this today, and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” he commented.