< Previous298298 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29819/04/2024 13:04Moja Majka means My Mother in Montenegrin. Embodying this notion is Sureyya and Sarah Basaad, the mother-and-daughter design duo behind the slow fashion Saudi brand hand-looming kaftans since 2012. The ethically sustainable label sources 100 per cent organic linen, cotton and silk textiles from Turkish villages to create intricately designed kaftans, adorned with antique treasures, making each piece a work of art in itself. Moja Majka’s SS24 collection was a chance to showcase the traditional craftsmanship of their heritage while bringing Saudi culture to life on the runway in the presence of the global fashion world. A celebration of both women and originality, Sarah explains, “My designs convey a sense of beauty, culture and free-spirited individuality, encouraging everyone to shine with their distinctiveness.” She continues, “My collection is a tribute to inner beauty, authenticity, staying true to your core values, embracing the elegance found in the small details and the emotions that it creates.” With whispered prospects of potential collaborations on the horizon, Moja Majka’s legacy, grounded in connecting generations, is set to continue. MOJA MAJKA 299 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 29919/04/2024 13:04Pioneering, ground-breaking, revolutionary – just some of the words associated with Saudi Arabian designer Nabila Nazer, one of the commendable and talented female designers to show their collections at Riyadh Fashion Week. Established in 2007, Nabila Nazer was one of the very fi rst brands to make advances in modestwear, presenting it with a new, innovative and modern aesthetic. Her designs are fi rst and foremost modest, yet the undeniable fashion edge cannot be ignored, giving permission to push the boundaries of traditional womenswear. Featuring blazer- style abayas and soft tailored jackets layered over sleek silhouettes, Nazer’s looks are bold, confi dent and graceful. Eye-catching details include gem- adorned sleeves and embellished necklines, creating a sense of opulence and undeniably Arabian infl uences. Nabila describes her designs as “noble, authentic and bold”. She continues, “I want the audience to understand that we Saudi designers are unique in the way we design; we love to project the feeling of pride.” The importance of exhibiting Saudi’s roots and sending a message to the world is paramount to Nabila, as she declares, “This is only the beginning!” NABILA NAZER 300 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 30019/04/2024 13:04301301 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 30119/04/2024 13:05302302 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 30219/04/2024 13:05Having showcased her designs in Paris, Milan and New York as part of the 100 Saudi Brands initiative, nobody knows more about living the Saudi Dream – the name of the SS24 collection she showed at Riyadh Fashion Week – than Mona Alshebil. A luxurious display of monochrome, tailored pieces adorned the runway with trailing hemlines, exaggerated sashes and balloon sleeves. A tan leather split-front design adorned with mirrored embellishment was the piece that truly pushed the limits of Mona’s talents, and the designer touchingly described taking part in the fi rst Riyadh Fashion Week as, “The dream come true.” Having graduated in marketing and innovation management, Mona went on to study fashion design and was soon dressing her friends and family. From there, in 2020, her namesake brand was born. Mona Alshebil is defi ned by a modern, minimalist aesthetic, while paying homage to the Kingdom’s roots and empowering women. Generating a following of celebrities and ambassadors alike, Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud wore a berry-coloured Mona Alshebil abaya with shayla to the 2023 Saudi Cup, giving Mona the royal seal of approval. MONA ALSHEBIL 303 274-303_VISION_VOL2_RFW_WOMANSWEAR-MS.indd 30319/04/2024 13:05304 304-333_VISION_VOL2_RFW_MENSWEAR-MS.indd 30419/04/2024 13:17305 304-333_VISION_VOL2_RFW_MENSWEAR-MS.indd 30519/04/2024 13:18306 Ask any Saudi local where to go for an immaculately tailored thobe and Lomar will top the list. The menswear label founded in 2002 by Loai Naseem and his wife, Mona Al-Haddad, has only grown in the ensuing years, strengthened by an unwavering reputation for quality and a fi rm commitment to its house DNA. Traditional dress “with a modern fashion twist” is how Loai describes Lomar’s merging of sportswear elements and forward- thinking fabrication with fl awless tailoring. The latest collection for SS24, created under the direction of Belgian, Jeddah-based creative Christophe Beaufays – Lomar’s head designer and art director since 2012, who cut his teeth working under Jean Paul Gaultier – took the integration up a notch. Cue a lightweight waterproof bisht primed for wet weekends in Europe and various headpieces including a shemagh felt hat that offered a streetwear twist on tradition. “Conventional elements of Saudi garments and accessories aren’t easy or practical for non- Saudis to wear,” acknowledges Christophe, “especially outside Arab countries. So the idea was to play with their distinctive elements and to reinterpret them into more wearable and globally appealing fashion pieces.” LOMAR 304-333_VISION_VOL2_RFW_MENSWEAR-MS.indd 30619/04/2024 13:18307 304-333_VISION_VOL2_RFW_MENSWEAR-MS.indd 30719/04/2024 13:18Next >