(Web Desk) - Saudi Arabia held its first fashion show featuring swimsuit models, an envelope-pushing step in a country where less than a decade ago women were required to wear body-covering abaya robes.
The poolside event showcased a collection by Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal, featuring predominantly one-piece swimsuits in hues of red, beige, and blue.
Many models had exposed shoulders, and some displayed partially visible midriffs.
“It’s true that this country is very conservative, but we tried to show elegant swimsuits that represent the Arab world," Qanzal told the media.
“When we came here, we understood that a swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia is a historic moment because it is the first time such an event has happened. It was an honor to be involved.”
The show took place on the second day of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort, situated off Saudi Arabia’s western coast.
This resort is part of Red Sea Global, one of the mega-projects central to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social and economic reform programme, overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In 2022, the fashion industry contributed $12.5 billion, or 1.4 percent of the national GDP, and employed 230,000 people, according to a report published by the official Saudi Fashion Commission last year.