< PreviousAdnan Akbar is credited as the Kingdom’s fi rst couture house, so it was only fi tting that it was the fi rst show of the inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week. Based in Jeddah, with fi ve decades in the fashion industry, Adnan Akbar has now given the helm to his daughter Adawa, who is now creative director. With an extensive heritage, true couture is obviously at the heart of the atelier’s collection, as crepe and chiffon rustled against taffeta and French lace. Swarovski crystal, jewelled rope and delicate beads are hand sewn to give an amazing attention to detail with a fl awless fi nish. Pistachio and sherbet-lemon tones were followed with vibrant violet, emerald green and bold amethyst, nothing was more precious than the technicoloured treasure trove on the runway. If the moodboard is fantasy fashion meets enchanted elegance, then the family business has turned a folk story into a fairy tale. And the legacy continues in the safe hands of the next generation, poised to assure the name Adnan Akbar lives on for decades to come. ADNAN AKBAR 248 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 24819/04/2024 14:06249249 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 24919/04/2024 14:06250250 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25019/04/2024 14:06251 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25119/04/2024 14:06With two decades in the fashion industry and counting, innovative designer Tima Abid brought a regal touch to the runway at her celestial catwalk show. The empowering collection, inspired by Venus, gave a sensational stream of bold shapes, luxurious fabrics and the exquisite use of molten metallic accents. “The gold refl ects the everlasting beauty found in each woman,” explains Tima. Optical lines oozed fl uidity and grace, and statement silhouettes were exquisitely elevated with feathers, embroidery and metallic accessories, fulfi lling Tima’s aim to create “wearable pieces of art”. Elegance and poise are the core principles for this couturier. Tima enthuses “I like refi ning the minimal details to conceive sleek and exclusive looks.” Actors Yasmin Raeis, Ida Alkusay and Sofi a Saidi recently wore Tima’s designs on the red carpet, and Saudi rally driver Maha Alhamali swapped the fast lane for the Red Sea International Film Festival in the design Tima conceived for the Saudi 100 Brands Heritage Exhibition. With Tima’s daughters following in her footsteps, her couture legacy is set to burn bright into the future. TIMA ABID 252 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25222/04/2024 09:13253253 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25319/04/2024 14:07254254 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25419/04/2024 14:07255 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25519/04/2024 14:07“A lot of what I do is inspired by the strong women in my life,” admits Yousef Akbar of his vivid and vibrant parade of eye-catching looks for Riyadh Fashion Week. The Yousef Akbar muse is “a confi dent woman who knows who she is, isn’t afraid to stand out, loves to travel, and wants clothes that mirror that in every way.” The designer refl ects, “I imagine her being successful, driven and independent,” so it’s clear why megastars including Sharon Stone, Karolina Kurkova and Alicia Keys adore his designs. His Riyadh Fashion Week show was full of life with its punchy, striking silhouettes and unexpected colour combos – sulphuric yellow with lilac, or cobalt blue paired with blush pink. Even sleek black styles were punctuated with pops of neon. Contrasting knife boots, custom-made for the catwalk, left no doubt that this was the resolutely modern face of fashion in the Kingdom and beyond. Swapping Saudi for Sydney to study fashion, by the time he had graduated in 2016, Yousef had fallen in love with womenswear design. Now working from an atelier in Jeddah, his fashion journey has come full circle – but Yousef is far from done with crossing continents and causing a commotion just yet. YOUSEF AKBAR 256 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25619/04/2024 14:07257257 246-273_VISION_VOL2_RFW_COUTURE-MS.indd 25719/04/2024 14:07Next >