RIYADH: Modesty took center stage at Riyadh’s Modest Fashion Week, which featured local and international designers in a three-day event that concluded at Al-Faisaliah Hotel on Dec. 17.
The show’s theme, “Roots to the Future,” gave fashion enthusiasts and influencers from across the globe a taste of modesty, with each brand presenting its own cultural spin in a mix of 32 parades and exclusive shows.
Ozlem Shahin, CEO of Modest Fashion Weeks, has high hopes for the Saudi capital’s future role in the industry.
She said: “We believe that Riyadh is going to be the next capital for fashion.
“There’s a time for modesty, and it’s very easy to see all the luxury brands targeting it, but I think all of us have the responsibility to appreciate real modesty with all these beautiful designers from all around the world.”
Abd Razak Abdul Wahab, the Malaysian ambassador to the Kingdom, attended the event on Thursday to show support for his country’s brand, Innersejuk.
And as the global fashion world becomes more about identity and sustainability, Modest Fashion Week acts as a cornerstone in appreciating clothes from all over the world.
The show highlighted designers from Turkiye, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Italy, and the UK, and proceedings began with Saudi fashion brand, The String Story.
Shahin said: “There had been no platform for us to (come) together and bring collaborations, and highlight our talents. It was time to democratize fashion.”
Saudi label Foulard also dazzled the catwalk on Thursday, showcasing evening wear in its first collection at the show.
The clothes were inspired by the neutral colors, patterns, and architecture of the Umayyad dynasty.
Sara Rayess, founder of Foulard, told Arab News: “I think modest fashion is a lifestyle, and every hijabi woman and modest female can look elegant and stylish in her own way.
“To showcase and support these designers will definitely provide an international standard one day.”
Palestinian label Sawsan Designs presented an eye-catching collection, taking the opportunity to platform the region’s heritage and history with a modern twist.
Sawsan Mahmoud, the brand’s director, told Arab News: “Whenever you want to build on something, there has to be a basis. Ours is history, culture, values, and our heritage, so it’s beautiful to revive all this in a modern way that the new generations will accept and like.
“They will be the messengers of this, without feeling it’s a burden.”
Mahmoud hopes that by using her engineering background to create innovative designs, she can play her part in preserving her country’s culture.
Maryam Khan, CEO of the UK fashion label Daska, told Arab News: “It’s important to give women a choice, so they don’t have to be looking through different brands and online platforms. This is right here for them.”
Muslim designer Khan acknowledges the diverse spectrum within the term “modesty.”
It can mean covering certain areas of the body or being fully covered, and Daska’s collection pushes the boundaries of color, design, and versatility, while also catering to plus-size women.
Modest Fashion Week began in Istanbul in 2015, and has taken place in London, Dubai, Amsterdam, Jakarta, and now Riyadh since then.
