From the winds of the North to the rhythmic chants of the Southern shores, and from the deep essence of the Eastern Province to the captivating beauty of the Hijaz, designers steer Riyadh Fashion Week through the diverse cultural landscapes of the Kingdom.

They narrate the historical tapestry of the Kingdom's regions through an authentic yet contemporary lens, marking a pivotal stride toward realizing a vision that embodies the profound awareness of cultural presence required for the continuous evolution of the fashion sector.

Abdulrahman AlAbed, the creative director of 'Qormuz', captures the essence of nomadic life with deliberate pacing.

He draws upon a historical figure from the northern lands of the Kingdom, Sheikh Nouri AlShaalan, a tribal leader renowned for his strength and resilience on soil defined by hardship and the struggle for survival.

AlAbed begins the tale exactly as it was traditionally born, announcing the start of the narrative with the clinking of coffee cups, a symbolic gesture bedouins used to express their warm hospitality. From there, the narrative transitions to the 'Jarra', the melodic strumming of the Rebab.

The Rebab, celebrated as the musical instrument of the northern nomads, forms the second scene AlAbed brings to life, capturing the essence of evening gatherings set to its rhythmic tunes.

Models glide across the runway to a musical composition echoing the 'Northern Dahha', led by a bold aesthetic that declares the foundational pillars of the collection.

It is a literal translation of the nomadic image: wool, followed by sheepskin, and then fur. Serving as the most renowned methods of warmth, AlAbed demonstrates the immense potential of transforming these raw elements into luxurious garments.

The collection seamlessly flows to highlight symbols of life and the wars witnessed by the region, such as swords and staffs, accompanied by verses once chanted by armies to ignite courage.

The collection concludes with a series of contemporary designs, translating Abdulrahman’s intentions and future commercial aspirations for the brand. He finishes as he began, embodying the warmth and hospitality of the bedouin in both greeting and farewell, subtly gesturing to the oud in the incense burner in the final look.

It is a diverse collection where Abdulrahman's ideas race like wild horses, characterized by authenticity and untamed spirit, requiring the tightening of the reins and a measured approach in its execution.

From the shores of the Farasan Islands to the runway, the echoes of the maritime 'Ya Mal' or 'AlNahma' arts rise. Waad AlOqaili draws inspiration from one of its most famous chants as the conceptual anchor for her collection.

'Ya Mal', an overture resonating from the ocean's surface to its depths, sets the stage for a collection where Waad envisions a diving journey into the abyss.

The sequence opens with a model in a shimmering white gown, her look crowned with a headpiece fashioned from pearls, as if announcing the harvest before the voyage even begins.

The ensuing designs emerge in a highly artistic color gradient that paints coastal life. Waad’s endeavors to elevate her designs to advanced levels are evident, such as reintroducing the 'Umm Samaka' abaya in an artistic collaboration with visual artist Sarah AlAbdali. Yet, she continues to showcase her true mastery, redemonstrating her skill in structural design through shell like silhouettes, and employing the collection’s concept with impeccable hand embroidery.

Waad declares through her designs that the client comes first. She reflects a commercial sensibility, fulfilling the desire for exclusivity and keeping pace with trends by weaving lace and fringe into the collection.

Finally, the models align in an orderly exit, their synchronized steps mimicking the dynamic movement of sailors, echoing 'Oh Ya Mal'.

As the divers of the past used to say, 'Measure before you dive,' and your measurements, Waad, are precise, and the journey was safe.

In an unprecedented move, 'Abadia' opens its showcase with a live performance of the 'Khammari' art by artist Manayer Adel.

Sharing the deeply personal memory that birthed the collection’s concept, Shahd AlShehail recalls:

Much like Waad AlOqaili, designer Shahd boards the diving boats but narrates the voyage from a completely different angle.

In a deeply symbolic experience, Shahd selects the 'Khammari' performance to reflect the strength of women during diving expeditions that span months. It highlights how resilience, interwoven with longing, becomes a means of survival. She reaches the ocean floor to embody the choice of confrontation and courage, transforming the diving experience into soft symbols that capture the scene in a feminine fluidity imbued with powerful meanings.

She chooses delicacy to embody depth, presenting silk and organza pieces with a kinetic rhythm. In stark contrast, she illustrates fortitude through luxurious wool, mohair, and sharp tailoring.

The presence of the grandfather echoes through a printed skirt reminiscent of the traditional seafaring 'Wizar.'

Signaling a strategic commercial expansion alongside its creative vision, the brand continues its upward trajectory with the launch of a new accessories and handbag division.

These pieces intuitively channel the collection’s overarching narrative, mirroring the artisanal complexity of woven nets and wicker baskets.

It is profoundly difficult to achieve softness when narrating tales fraught with hardship, yet Shahd demonstrates astute market awareness, transforming a deeply personal heritage into an elevated, highly commercially viable proposition.

From the west of the Kingdom, 'Hindamme', under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Joharah bint Talal bin Abdulaziz, presents 'AlHijaz'.

With a black dress and a printed phrase chosen by Mohammed Khoja as an expressive symbol, "The Hijaz... how can it be described? It is the mood, it is beauty, it is imagination."

The Hijaz holds a historical reverence traversed by the world, known for its geographical significance which fostered a flourishing regional culture.

In collaboration with 'Mansoujat', Mohammed integrates a two-hundred-year-old hand-woven textile embroidered by the AlJahdali tribe.

Collaborating with designer Hala AlGharbawi, he reimagines a dress gifted to Princess Joharah, adorned with a veil bearing the word 'Eve'.

A shirt bearing the printed image of artist Abadi AlJohar, and a pink sweater inscribed with 'Dar AlHanan' are all visual homages to the moments and places that shaped his upbringing.

In the finale, accompanied by a traditional Hijazi wedding procession to the voice of Mohammed Abdu, influencer Lama AlAkeel emerges in a pink dress draped in a matching veil inscribed with 'Mermaid'.

Sometimes, the redesign and transformation of fashion reside strictly in structural integrity.

Why does this article praise Qormuz, Waad AlOqaili, Abadia, and Hindamme?

Because in the crucial phase of establishing and building the cultural value of the fashion industry in the Kingdom, our designers have actively participated in bringing inspiration to life.

Abdulrahman AlAbed, Waad AlOqaili, Shahd AlShehail, and Mohammed Khoja may face significant challenges, confronting intellectual and social resistance toward some of their alterations, but it remains a bold and triumphant risk.

Employing the Kingdom's cultural value in the fashion sector continuously does not imply a limitation on the designer's creative scope; rather, it represents a profound understanding of the necessity to anchor it in an era of evolution.

The Rebab will not accelerate the industry's progression, pearls will not add the gleam of advancement, nor will the traditional cap crown our arrival. However, they are authentic sources that archive our past and serve as the foundation upon which future success stories will be built.

To everyone who brought these collections to life, with a full Saudi voice we say: May God brighten your faces.

-Mansooj: Your front-row seat to Saudi fashion-