On Friday, Saudi Arabia took a historic step towards social change by hosting its first-ever fashion show featuring models in swimsuits. This event, held during the second day of Red Sea Fashion Week, marks a significant shift from the country’s conservative past.
Just a decade ago, Saudi women were required to wear head-to-toe coverings. This latest development is seen as a major victory for individual freedom and a challenge to traditional norms. The fashion show, held poolside at the luxurious St. Regis Red Sea Resort, showcased the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Kanjal. Young models confidently walked the runway in one-piece swimsuits, a sight that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.
The swimsuit designs themselves reflected a balance between respecting Saudi Arabia’s culture and embracing modern trends. The collection primarily featured one-piece suits in colors like red, blue, green, and orange. Some models had bare shoulders, while others wore sarongs or had their midriffs partially exposed. Interestingly, a few models even chose to cover their heads while wearing swimsuits.
Kanjal herself expressed the significance of the event. “This is a very conservative country,” she acknowledged in an interview. “I knew a swimsuit fashion show here would be historic. We designed a collection of tasteful swimwear that is appropriate for the Arab world, while keeping the conservative culture in mind. I am honored to be a part of this fashion show.”
This groundbreaking event is part of a larger movement toward social and economic reform in Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has spearheaded Vision 2030, a plan aimed at modernizing the country by the year 2030. The Red Sea Resort, where the fashion show took place, is a prime example of this vision. Designed to attract tourists from around the world, the resort represents a new era for Saudi Arabia.
Since his rise to power in 2017, Prince Salman has implemented a series of reforms that have challenged the status quo. He has overseen the reopening of cinemas, the organization of music festivals for all genders, and the curtailment of the power of the religious police, who were once a symbol of strict religious enforcement. These changes have come despite opposition from some religious leaders. In 2017, King Salman, the Prince’s father, granted women the right to drive, another major social reform.
The swimsuit fashion show is a powerful symbol of progress in Saudi Arabia. It remains to be seen how far the country will go in its social reforms, but this event has undoubtedly captured the world’s attention and sparked discussions about the future of the kingdom.
