< Previous50 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 Saudi’s fi rst-ever street-style book succeeded in shattering stereotypes and demystifi ng the way the world views women from the Kingdom. “I always knew that Saudi women were often seen as these enigmatic creatures unknown to the outside world, but I didn’t anticipate the depth of this curiosity or interest to be so global,” recalls author Marriam Mossalli, after it garnered interest from as far afi eld as Japan and South Africa. Not content to stop there – in keeping with the entrepreneurial spirit of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for 2030 – Marriam returns with a second edition launching in June to celebrate the second anniversary of the lifting of the The STYLE Under THE SEQUEL The Abaya Majesty, mystery and a chronicle of the shifting mentalities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud reveals why the second volume of Under the Abaya is far more than a book about street style Words by ALISON TAY HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5003/05/2020 01:26:25 PM The XXX 51 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 Abrar Abed shot by Maram Al Khaldi HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5103/05/2020 01:26:32 PMdriving ban for women in Saudi, complete with an introduction penned by Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud. “Who’s more inspiring than the fi rst female Saudi ambassador to United States of America?” Marriam proffers. Who could disagree? “Princess Reema is just so generous with her time and with her support; I couldn’t envision anyone else writing the foreword. She has always supported women, and I can count myself as one of them. I also attribute the dissolution of the taboo around showing one’s face and revealing one’s identity to her.” Sharing a glimpse of what to expect from the second edition, Princess Reema explains, “Under the Abaya: Street Style from Saudi encapsulates a desire to tell stories, and access or create opportunities. The project’s principles are an example of women supporting women in the form of a book where women tell their own stories in their own words, accompanied with original, sometimes self-generated, photography. There are many personalities in these pages with whom readers will fi nd commonality and inspiration; all sharing their journeys and hopes for the fulfi llment of their dreams.” Marriam adds, “It’s always been important to me to have Saudis narrate their own stories. Too often, it’s been told for us, and incorrectly so. My goal has always been to dispel some of those myths, and I thought a fashion book would be the best format. What better way to show that we’re not that muted, suppressed stereotype wearing all black by showing women in their colourful fashion choices and give them a voice to talk about what they’ve achieved and how?” Among them are: Saudi’s fi rst opera singer Sawsan Al Bahiti; TV presenter Sara Murad; professional rower Dr. Alia Komasany; Dania Akeel, the fi rst woman in Saudi Arabia to obtain a Motorcycle Racing Licence; and Alanoud Badr who was the fi rst Saudi-born fashion blogger to gain international recognition; plus modest beauty infl uencers Amy Roko and Yara Alnamlah, many of whom have been lensed by female photographers who have earned scholarships from the proceeds of the book’s fi rst edition. What’s certain is that Marriam has another global success on her hands. “What I do hope is that these books inspire people to learn more about Saudi, and perhaps remove some of that mystery and show how universal our ambitions and challenges really are,” she muses. “As women, we share so much with our counterparts across the world; and I just hope that this book is able to reveal that.” 52 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 The STYLE BARAA LUHAID shot by Muzna Qamar Baraa started Saudi’s fi rst women’s modest sportswear brand, founded Spokes Hub, a gender- inclusive cycling community, and sits on the board of the Saudi Cycling Federation, part of the General Sports Authority. She declares, “When I advocate for women’s cycling, I’m advocating for women’s independence.” Meet the women under the abayas HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5203/05/2020 01:26:46 PM53 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5303/05/2020 01:26:59 PM54 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 SHAHAD SALMAN shot by Hayat Osamah Striking Saudi model Shahad Salman who has starred in campaigns for Ounass and Farfetch, and made her runway debut for Saudi designer Arwa Al Banawi concedes, “With the support of my family, I was able to become the person I am today, even despite living in a world that is constantly trying to make me someone else.” The STYLE HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5403/05/2020 01:27:10 PM55 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 SAWSAN AL BAHITI shot by Lina Qummosani Hailed as the voice of Saudi Arabian opera, Sawsan Al Bahiti is a qualifi ed voice coach at the New York Vocal Coaching Center and has been singing opera since 2008. “I have tried to sing different kinds of music,” she admits, “but nothing felt more genuine in expressing my heart and soul than opera.” SARA SALHAB shot by Najwa Salhab If clothes – and carpets – could talk, they’d tell us everything we need to know about Sara Salhab’s eclectic eye, bohemian spirit, and off-the-beaten track adventures. “I am a lover of all things colourful with a serious case of wanderlust,” she reveals. HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5503/05/2020 01:27:21 PMRAWAN AL-TURKI shot by Inas Hammoud “I see beauty in everything,” reveals Jeddah-based Rawan Al-Turki, a photographer whose work captures the modern progressive Saudi woman expressing themselves via their own sense of style. “To me taking pictures is a passion not a profession.” The STYLE SHIHANAH AL AKEEL shot by Mohannad Al Suwaidaa Saudi models Shahad Salman and Taleedah Tamer are paving the way for the next generation ready to break into the industry, including Shihanah who insists, “Nothing could stop me from making time for what my heart desires most, and that is fashion.” DR. ALIA KOMASANY shot by Xavier Ansart A professional rower, Alia believes that it is the female athletes themselves who are elevating the sport. “I’m always happy to see positive representation of Muslim women in sport, but it’s not so much the brands, but the woman wearing them doing the hard work.” HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5603/05/2020 01:27:32 PM57 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 AMY ROKO shot by Lina Mo If challenging perceived notions of Saudi women wasn’t enough, Amy Roko is also reinventing the beauty-infl uencer space through the medium of make-up, comedy and even rap. However, according to Amy, there’s still a huge misconception about women who chose to wear burqas. “People keep forgetting we’re normal people who do normal things and exist,” she observes. HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5703/05/2020 01:27:50 PM58 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 The STYLE NOHA SINDI shot by Basmah Al Halees If having certifi ed fashion stylist, London College of Fashion alum, TV and celebrity stylist, and Saudi’s fi rst personal shopper on her résumé wasn’t enough, the working mum also runs styling workshops, designed to empower the next generation of female leaders for the workplace through their fashion choices. HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5803/05/2020 01:28:05 PMSARAH ALMADDAH shot by Osamah Al-Shubbar The dramatic fi gure gracing the cover of the second edition of Under The Abaya: Street Style from Saudi is an architect, artist and graphic designer based in Dhahran. Sarah reveals, “I fi nd my joy in creating beautiful things – whether they be paintings, music or sculptures.” 59 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_050to057_Abaya_11282643.indd 5903/05/2020 01:28:15 PMNext >