Within the last few years, we have seen an influx of directional designers from Saudi who are reshaping Arab fashion and diversifying the womenswear market with their contemporary designs. They’re dressing western celebrities and influencers and aim to take the world by storm. AboutHer.com has selected a few Saudi designers you’ll want to jump on the bandwagon with.
Arwa Al Banawi
Arwa Al Banawi is a young Saudi womenswear designer who’s collections get stronger by the season. She started out designing quirky tailored suits and has now steadily extended her collection with easy to wear, edgy, separates that exude effortless chic.
Toby Femme by Hatem Alakeel
Workwear and masculine are not usually words you’d associate with Saudi Arabian fashion, but Hatem Alakeel does it with finesse. Using precise tailoring, eye-catching print and luxe fabrics, Toby Femme is a brand that presents feminine workwear with serious air of power dressing.
Nora Al Shaikh
This Los Angeles based designer is a force to be reckoned with, especially if you like your classics to have some sass. Founded in 2012, Nora Al Shaikh produces timeless chic, with added glamour, and we want everything. The designer is the perfect go-to for a modest fashion fix in pristine fabrics and up to the minute cuts.
Ashi Studio
Mohammed Ashi, the Beirut based Saudi Arabian designer creates the most divine and breathtaking designs. Seen on Sonam Kapoor at Dubai International Film Festival Cardi B at the Grammys, Vanessa Moody at Cannes, and many other celebrities at important international events, Ashi Studio has garnered international acclaim. We can’t get enough of the designer’s fantastical designs, attention to detail and drama.
Sotra
Translating as ‘modest clothing’, Sotra is the creation of fashion designer, Mariam bin Mahfouz.
The designer directs an urban take on the traditional thobe and tunic with added quirkiness for perfect laid back, weekend chic. Furthermore, the brand prides itself on being both designed and produced in Saudi Arabia.
Yousef Akbar
About a year ago, Saudi-born designer, Yousef Akbar launched his brand with a list of design awards up his sleeve and celebrity fans vying for pieces from his collections. Kelly Rowland and Chrissy Teigen are super-fans of Akbar’s risqué draping, glam silhouettes and industrial themed detailing.
We can’t wait to see more of this designer on the red carpet.
