Saudi Arabia Makes History Holds Bikini Fashion Show
Saudi Arabia Makes History Holds Bikini Fashion Show, Designers Show Off Swimwear, Watched by Men
- Saudi Arabia has just made history by holding its first swimwear fashion show on Friday (17/5/2024).
This swimwear show featured the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal during Red Sea Fashion Week in St. Petersburg. Regis Red Sea Resort. Quoted from Newsweek, the event which was held by the swimming pool featured Qanzal collections such as one piece bikinis, two pieces, sarongs, and so on. Qanzal admitted that Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country, but she tried to show an elegant bikini, which represents the Arab world, news agency AFP.
“When we came here, we understood that the swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia was a historic moment, because it was the first time it was held,” she explained. Most of the saggy models flaunted swimsuits that exposed their shoulders.
Some other models showed a bit of their midriff, and neckline.
Perhaps, a few years ago this fashion show would have been impossible to imagine would be held in public.
And when the women walked the catwalk in one-piece swimsuits, off-the-shoulder bikini tops and thigh-high sarongs, the audience reaction seemed entirely positive, Daily Mail. Red Sea Global is one of the megaprojects at the heart of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 social and economic reform program, overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
A French influencer who was also present at yesterday's swimwear show, Raphael Simacourbe, said there was nothing risqué in his eyes, but in the Saudi context, it was a big achievement. “They were very brave to do that today, so I'm very happy to be a part of it,” he said. It can be said that the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia is developing rapidly. In 2022, the industry accounted for $12.5 billion, or 1.4 percent of national GDP, and employed 230,000 people, according to the latest report from the Saudi Fashion Commission.
This growth is in line with the broader goal of Vision 2030, which is to make Saudi Arabia a global fashion and culture hub.
Hosting a swimwear show for Saudi Arabia also means a sign of important cultural change.
Additionally, MBS has initiated several social reforms to soften Saudi Arabia's harsh image.
Since being named crown prince in 2017, MBS has spearheaded several initiatives to modernize Saudi society, including sidestepping the religious police, reintroducing cinemas and holding mixed-race music festivals.
All these reforms, taken together, are part of MBS's long-term project to reduce the kingdom's dependence on oil by diversifying its economy and promoting sectors ranging from technology to tourism, sports, entertainment and fashion.
Arab opens liquor shop only for non-Muslim diplomats Earlier this year, for the first time in 70 years, Saudi Arabia opened a liquor (miras) shop, Wednesday (24/1/2024).
However, this liquor shop only serves non-Muslim diplomats.
Saudi Arabia is opening its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh, according to documents and sources familiar with the plans, quoted by Reuters.
However, there are conditions that accompany the purchase of alcohol in Saudi Arabia.
Based on the documents Reuters cited, customers must first register via a mobile application, then obtain a permit code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and are required to adhere to monthly quotas in their purchases.
Those who are allowed to shop at the store must show diplomatic identification to shop for liquor, beer and wine, quoted from Forbes. For the record, drinking alcohol is prohibited in Islamic beliefs. This step is a milestone for Saudi Arabia.
Located in the diplomatic area of the capital Riyadh, the opening of the new store reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's (MBS) efforts to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a more popular destination, reports the Associated Press. It is unclear whether other non-Muslim expats will have access to the store.
Millions of expatriates live in Saudi Arabia, but most of them are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
Although there are alcohol shops in Arabia, non-diplomats are not permitted to purchase them and the kingdom's ban on alcoholic beverages, which has been in place since the 1950s, has not been abolished, Middle East Eye reported.
Saudi Arabia has strict laws against drinking alcohol which is punishable by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment and expatriates also face deportation.
As part of the reforms, caning has been largely replaced by prison sentences.
Alcohol is only available through diplomatic mail or on the black market. Saudi Arabia is not the only country to ban the sale of alcohol. In a number of countries, Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol for religious reasons by the government.
However, the same laws do not apply to non-Muslims.
New History of Saudi Arabia, Holds Swimwear Bikini Fashion Show
- Saudi Arabia has just made history by holding its first swimwear fashion show on Friday (17/5/2024).
This swimwear show featured the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal during Red Sea Fashion Week in St. Petersburg. Regis Red Sea Resort.
Quoted from Newsweek, the event which was held by the swimming pool featured the Qanzal collection such as one piece bikinis, two pieces, sarongs and so on.
Qanzal admitted that Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country, but she tried to present an elegant bikini, representing the Arab world, news agency AFP.
“When we came here, we understood that the swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia was a historic moment, because it was the first time it was held,” she explained.
Most of the models flaunted swimsuits that showed off their shoulders. Some other models showed a bit of their midriff, and neckline.
Perhaps, a few years ago this fashion show would have been impossible to imagine would be held in public.
And when the women walked the catwalk in one-piece swimsuits, off-the-shoulder bikini tops and thigh-high sarongs, the audience reaction seemed entirely positive, Daily Mail.
Red Sea Global is one of the megaprojects at the heart of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 social and economic reform program, overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
A French influencer who was also present at yesterday's swimwear show, Raphael Simacourbe, said there was nothing risqué in his eyes, but in the Saudi context, it was a big achievement.
“They were very brave to do that today, so I'm very happy to be a part of it,” he said.
It can be said that the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia is developing rapidly. In 2022, the industry accounted for $12.5 billion, or 1.4 percent of national GDP, and employed 230,000 people, according to the latest report from the Saudi Fashion Commission.
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