< PreviousThe structured shoulder was an undeniable focal point at Arwa Al Banawi’s SS24 show. Her long-awaited collection, Sahra in Ramatuelle, exuded effortlessness thanks to oversized suiting, relaxed separates and easy-to-wear dresses, and the intention to empower women through striking silhouettes while blending traditions with modern design. Arwa was working as an investment banker when she saw a gap in the womenswear market for professional on-the-go businesswomen. Fast forward to 2015, following a stint in Dubai at The London College of Fashion, and her namesake brand was born. Then, in 2021, in recognition of her unique vision of atheleisurewear, Arwa became the fi rst Arab designer to collaborate with adidas on a Forum Low sneaker. Bringing an East-meets-West ideology infused with practicality, Arwa explains, “The Saudi woman is a muse to me. I enjoy creating designs that empower confi dence and have that effortlessly cool elegance that makes a woman’s wardrobe practical and fi ts her daily life.” Her collection indisputably mirrors the new mood of the Kingdom. Asked whether Riyadh Fashion Week can make a global impact, Arwa responds without hesitation, “I think it already has.” ARWA AL BANAWI 288 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28819/04/2024 13:03289289 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 28919/04/2024 13:04290290 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29019/04/2024 13:04291 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29119/04/2024 13:04“I’m using black to represent the darkness of the desert and white to represent the morning light,” declares Salma Zahran of the monochromatic palette from her Majestic Dunes collection. There’s an undeniable hype surrounding Dazluq; a buzz of excitement for the minimalist yet powerful designs, appealing to a contemporary audience. Salma attended Miami International University, going on to establish Dazluq in 2016. Despite being Florida-based, she found Riyadh Fashion Week to be the ultimate platform for sharing her native Saudi heritage with the global industry. Her intention was to “show the beauty of our culture to the world in an artistic modern way”. Fearless, elegant, and empowering are just some of the words used to describe Dazluq, with innovative pieces including a hybrid cape-and-blazer design and her undeniable signature waved hemlines. “There are lots of elements in the collection showing the movement of sand and life in the desert,” she explains. That signifi cance of movement, both in her designs and the momentum of the future of Saudi fashion, certainly is not lost on the brand’s admirers. DAZLUQ 292 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29219/04/2024 13:04293293 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29319/04/2024 13:04294294 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29419/04/2024 13:04Yasmina Q’s Riyadh Fashion Week show was enough to inspire any observer to take fl ight to the latest vacation hotspot. Vibrant sunset-hued ombre tones and candy-coloured stripes sat alongside a laid-back aesthetic, evoking a sense of relaxation and the feeling of sunshine on your face. Yasmina Qanzal’s eponymous label sidesteps the latest trends and concentrates on a more timeless appeal; pieces to own for years to come. The designer found herself inspired by her grandmother, who owned a multibrand store in Jeddah and which became an invaluable early fashion education during her childhood years. This was formalised following stints at Parsons Paris and the Parisian outpost of the Istituto Marangoni school of fashion, before the launch of Yasmina Q in 2015. Today, Saudi-born Yasmina strives to create a happy-go-lucky capsule wardrobe with sustainability at its core. Knitwear is her love language, with a penchant for holiday dresses in bright, happy shades and relaxed silhouettes. Fluted sleeves and pretty pastels added to the breezy sense of joy, but fasten your seatbelts – Saudi’s fashion scene is about to take off. YASMINA Q 295 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29521/04/2024 20:35Eman Joharji had one vision for her inspirational SS24 collection, which was “to showcase the rich diversity in our heritage and culture”. The message was received loud and clear, epitomised by her simple yet elegant designs, seamlessly intermixed with a sense of honouring the all-important Saudi tradition. Barefoot models glided down the runway effortlessly, showcasing breathtaking, fl uid silhouettes while embracing the notion of comfort combined with contemporary design. To be a part of the historical event of Riyadh Fashion Week was an honour for the designer, who established the brand in 2008, inspired by the concept of duality. She explores the contrast between modernity and tradition, including abayas with a sporty aesthetic. As she explains, “Eman Joharji is the confl uence of traditional Saudi attire and contemporary global fashion. We’re shaping a unique aesthetic design from the Kingdom.” One thing is evident from this collection: her pioneering approach to modern design is not only engaging an audience in meaningful conversations during this pivotal moment for Saudi fashion, it’s also placing the Kingdom’s heritage on the global fashion map. EMAN JOHARJI 296 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29619/04/2024 13:04297297 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29719/04/2024 13:04Next >