Saudi women are taking at least partial control of their destinies. One group of young energetic Saudi women is organizing a fashion show for another group of young creative Saudi women designers and both are being promoted by a third group of young talented Saudi women in a public relations and advertising company. All three groups are relatively new to their fields but with a clear vision of their goals plus hard work, and focus, they have already proven successful.
‘Circle of Light’ is an event-management company founded by Arwa Ashi, Alaa Lari and Nihal Abu Zinadah. Its slogan is ‘A vision For the Future’ and they take young talented Saudi women and put them on the road to a bright future. “Our goal is to develop, polish and present Saudi female talents to society,” said Nihal Abu Zinadah to Arab News. In addition to organizing exhibitions, they also provide seminars and workshops in such things as graphic design, décor, cooking and anything that might enrich a woman’s life in either her home or her career. They held their first presentation last year in which traditional designs by Saudi designers were featured and promoted. A second presentation will be on 5 October at the Jeddah Hilton under the patronage of Princess Mashael bint Miqrin ibn Abdul Aziz. The show will feature designs by Mona Abu Al-Faraj, Nawal Al-Maimani, Wid Bogari and Suha Ashi. The theme of the show is traditional and contemporary designs inspired by Jeddah’s heritage and it is entitled ‘The Nymphs of Jeddah.’
The designers are taking their first steps towards recognition. Mona Abu Al-Faraj has a master’s degree in environmental art and has participated in several local and international exhibitions. Her project is called ‘Earth and Spirit’ which emphasizes using natural products to enhance the beauty of her creations. She began by making hand-made wedding invitations and their appeal propelled her into making unique prayer beads from a variety of precious stones, pearls, seashells, and crystal. She also makes artistic pieces with porcelain, crockery, and copper. Now she is entering the world of fashion and using her creativity, she will present her designs as works of art.
Suha Ashi’s passion is the abaya. “It is the thing that distinguishes the Saudi woman and identifies her personality,” she says. In her first show, she will be presenting a collection of abayas that goes beyond the usual styles in the type of fabric, the cut and the needlework. Nawal Al-Maimani and Wid Bogari have greater experience in the fashion world and with every new experience, they learn more. Their designs combine tradition with modernity in styles that appeal to the fashion-conscious women who are also firmly rooted in their culture.