< Previous278 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 27819/04/2024 13:02279 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 27919/04/2024 13:02Abadia is the fusion of the Arabic words abadi, meaning ‘timelessness’ and badiah, meaning ‘desert’. But its namesake isn’t the only melding associated with this ethical, luxury Saudi Arabian brand. The family-owned business, co-founded by Shahd Al-Shehail and her respected boutique-owner aunt Naeema Al- Shehail, strives to create for the modern woman while embracing their Arab heritage. The Riyadh- based label integrates artisan crafts, such as moui, a signature ruching method seen throughout its ready-to-wear collection. The runway show saw elevated, free-fl owing abayas juxtaposed with structured, cropped jackets – defi ning creation with the intention of surprise – while a brown leather harness adorning a form-fi tting dress commanded immediate attention on the runway. Each piece was designed with an ethical mindset, seamlessly splicing deadstock material and end-of-roll fabrics, and only using leather if its origin can be traced. In 2023, Abadia became the fi rst Saudi Arabian brand to be stocked on the e-commerce platform Net- a-Porter, and recently secured international funding in New York, forging the future of fashion in the Kingdom as a contemporary label, embracing culture and modernity. ABADIA 280 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28021/04/2024 20:35281281 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28119/04/2024 13:03282282 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28219/04/2024 13:03283 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28319/04/2024 13:03Lighting up the King Abdullah Financial District with striking silhouettes and dopamine- generating designs was Saudi-born label Kaf by Kaf. Inspired by farmers’ markets of Riyadh’s days gone by, the Spring/Summer 2024 collection referenced nostalgic memories and cultural notions of freshly harvested fruit. Established in 2019, Kawthar Alhoraish created her Riyadh-based ready-to-wear label with the intention of being original, innovative and different to traditional Saudi designs. Her creations communicated a change for the future, with every single piece’s intention to provoke conversation, thought and to tell its own story based on the places, events or traditions of her homeland. Kawthar refl ects, “The markets resemble the beginning of summer in Saudi Arabia.” She continues, “We have used materials, like palmette, which represent a heritage I want to bring back to life. Every look on the runway paid homage to the Kingdom while using somewhat unconventional techniques and materials, such as raffi a and crochet.” A sense of fun and plays on proportion, while staying connected to the roots of Saudi culture, all contributed to Riyadh Fashion Week’s most daring collection yet. KAF BY KAF 284 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28419/04/2024 13:03285285 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28519/04/2024 13:03286286 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28619/04/2024 13:03287 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28719/04/2024 13:03Next >