In the latest event to rock J-town's fashion scene, 15 fashion designers came together with their collections of trendy skirts, especially designed for the trunk show held at Libra Boutique.
The event gathered 12 Saudi designers along with two Kuwaiti designers who were looking to test the Saudi market with their designs.
“The idea of the event was very appealing to me because many women find it hard to find casual skirts or formal ones in one place and they have to go from one boutique to another to find the perfect one,” said Aziza Abdulmajeed, one of the shoppers. “Libra has successfully gathered a huge number of well-known young Saudi designers under one roof for people like me who are always on the hunt for the next fashion trend,” she added.
Suad Al-Zamel, abaya designer and founder of Sue designs, designed a collection of skirts for the first time. “It’s a great opportunity to test the market and exhibit my next fashion step, which are skirts. It all started when the founder of this boutique saw me wearing a skirt designed by me. She approached me and convinced me to design more for clients,” she said. “I designed a collection just for this event and to gain new clients who can see my work before I open my own boutique soon,” she added.
Rana Ismail, fashion designer and founder of Libra Boutique, knows well that skirts are very important in the Arabian fashion world. “I wanted to gather different designers under one umbrella to serve the GCC style in general. There were around 100 different types and styles of skirts under one roof and I was one of the designers who exhibited and I found myself competing with myself to produce a product that satisfied women in a modern way,” she told Sayidaty TV. “It is a new idea in Jeddah and my partner and I wanted to bring special trends to exhibit every once in a while,” she added.
Ismail's designs are simple and comfortable with a unique touch. “I am a designer; I target different types of women who are looking to wear trendy yet comfortable clothing, so I make clothes for stay-at-home mothers, working women and social butterflies,” she said. “My partner and I focus on local and GCC fashion connections first, and then, global.
One of the corners of the boutique held beautiful long skirts made with silk and cotton printed fabrics that came all the way from India. “I collaborated for the trunk show with a famous fabric designer from India who is known for her fashion sense in fabric printing. I actually brought the fabric a while ago to design my first fashion line but when I was contacted by Libra Boutique, I had to say yes knowing it will be a great opportunity to exhibit here,” said Asma Sabir, a Riyadh-based fashion designer. “It is a beautiful challenge to showcase my work for the first time next to many established Saudi designers and work on my clientele data base from here,” she added.
Skirts are very feminine and trendy, especially in spring and summer. “This fashion exhibition came at the right time when all fashion lovers are looking for great styles to follow this season. We all know that international fashion houses are already selling their best designs but nothing beats a great locally made piece of clothing,” said Layla, one of the shoppers at the event. “The skirts comprised a beautiful variety of colors, textures, fabrics and designs, which gave many shoppers the opportunity to shop for their next occasion. It is the perfect start to the season with such event because this is a season for many parties and occasions and the trunk show has helped us in selecting what to wear,” she added.
The event was sponsored by Arab News’ sister publication Hia magazine, which is known for its fashion content. “Hia magazine aims to promote local artists, especially those who are in the fashion industry. Now that the fashion industry in the GCC, and especially in Saudi Arabia is booming, it is important for local media to show their support by supporting these talents,” said Mona Siraj, deputy editor in chief of Hia magazine. “The idea behind the trunk show is very unique so we wanted to publicize it by joining hands with them. We sponsored the event to help support the talents of those fashion designers who are exhibiting in it. Hia magazine always ensures to sponsor unique events and individual talents, such as Rana Ismail,” she added.
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