Adnan Akbar exhibit showcases iconic dresses at Ana Arabia

Adnan Akbar designed an iconic haute couture full-length dress with an extended tail for her to wear on the television show “Alf Layla Wa Layla” (Arabic for a thousand and one nights) in 1987. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)

Adnan Akbar's sketches at the "Ana Arabia" fashion exhibition. (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)

Adnan Akbar established the Kingdom’s first couture house when he returned from France in 1970. Often described by the media as the “Saint Laurent of the Middle East.” (AN Photo/ Sulafa Alkhunaizi)

• The exhibition, titled “Innovation Through Heritage,” takes visitors through Akbar’s journey in the fashion industry with a colorful display of his works
• Akbar is known for being the first designer in the Kingdom to specialize in haute couture dresses and fine tailoring

RIYADH: Breathtaking dresses by international Saudi fashion designer Adnan Akbar are being showcased at the “Ana Arabia” exhibition at Riyadh Front, one of the entertainment zones of Riyadh Season.
The exhibition, titled “Innovation Through Heritage,” takes visitors through Akbar’s journey in the fashion industry with a colorful display of his works.
Akbar is known for being the first designer in the Kingdom to specialize in haute couture dresses and fine tailoring.
He established the Kingdom’s first couture house when he returned from France in 1970.
Often described by the media as the “Saint Laurent of the Middle East,” Akbar studied embroidery in Lebanon and Pakistan before entering a licensing agreement for embroidered luxury fabrics with the French textile company Bianchini Ferier. In 1989, he launched a ready-to-wear collection in the US.
The fashion designer is known for dressing Egyptian actress and singer Sherihan. He designed an iconic haute couture full-length dress with an extended tail for her to wear on the television show “Alf Layla Wa Layla” (Arabic for one thousand and one nights) in 1987.
The embroidered silk dress, which comes in two versions (long sleeve and short sleeve), took more than six months to make by hand, with the help of over 30 tailors.
Akbar’s son, Abdullah, told Arab News that he is “incredibly proud” of his father’s brand.
“I feel so proud, displaying all the heritage of the brand, starting from the 1970s up to the last participation in Riyadh Fashion Week 2023.
“Fashion means passion. It’s a way of expressing who we are, our culture, our traditions … I learned how to be creative and how to think outside of the box. There is no limit in the way that we design,” he added.
Akbar says that his father “has a long-term vision to send messages through his designs and to present our culture.”
In 1989, Adnan Akbar presented a collection of his work reflecting Saudi heritage at the Eiffel Tower Square, with exclusive designs accompanied by 40 camels.
“Ana Arabia” — running till Dec. 23 — will display the works of more than 275 designers from 18 Arab countries, allowing male and female designers to market their products and exchange experiences in the design sector.
The exhibition will feature innovative products in fashion, jewelry, perfumes and home accessories.
As part of the Riyadh Season 2023 activities, the exhibition celebrates the participation of creative designers with seven days filled with beauty and fashion.