The environment has always been an inseparable part of human existence, reflected in what we eat, drink, and wear, all drawn from the resources of nature. In fashion, this is evident in the distinct variations in designers’ creations, influenced by the places they come from or the headquarters of their brands. The same applies to the style preferences of clients across different regions of Saudi Arabia.

Abadia is a luxury ready-to-wear fashion label founded by designer Shahd AlShehail. She is originally from Al-Ahsa, a region rich in natural resources and home to the world’s largest palm oasis. The area is also renowned for the “Al- bisht al-Hassawi”, considered the finest and most luxurious type of bisht thanks to its exceptional craftsmanship.

These influences are reflected in Abadia’s designs, which place strong emphasis on intricate details, incorporate the skills of local artisans, and elevate their craft in a contemporary way while preserving its heritage. The designer is equally committed to sustainable fabric choices, making Abadia one of the region’s leading luxury sustainable and ethical brands.

Looking closely at Saudi Arabia’s central region, one notices a dominance of natural tones, shades of brown, beige, white, and black, reflecting the desert landscape of the area in a style that feels more formal. Based in Riyadh, fashion label “Mona AlShibel” embodies this aesthetic with designs defined by understated luxury.

White and beige serve as staple colors, consistently present in every collection, complemented by clean, almost linear cuts with minimal embellishment.

Still, vibrant colors such as red and fuchsia appear in certain seasons for variety, though always used as solid hues within the same refined silhouettes and tailored lines.

On the other hand, the limited colors found in nature can become a reason to explore different dimensions. KAF by KAF, founded by designer “Kawthar Al-Huraish”, who grew up in Riyadh, offers an artistic fashion line with designs that push creative boundaries while celebrating heritage through intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors.

The Hail Dress captures the region’s springtime with beaded and sequined lavender flowers, while the Mahareeb piece honors the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri through interlaced triangular leather inserts.

In its commercial line, the brand presents ready-to-wear pieces filled with richly detailed prints.

As Kawthar explains: “Having grown up in Riyadh, natural colors dominated my surroundings; this pushed me to embrace color in my work.” With this approach, KAF by KAF goes against the current, standing as a distinct departure from the prevailing aesthetic.

The abaya designs of female designers in the city of Khobar are characterized by loose cuts and cheerful, vibrant colors. Even when employing formal cuts such as the blazer style, fabrics are chosen to highlight the design without necessarily giving it a formal feel. Among the labels that stand out in this approach are “Dalabaya1, Blinng.sa, and Octoberflower.abaya”.

Nature and the surrounding environment have always influenced designers’ creativity, whether consciously or unconsciously. But does the same apply to the customer’s choices? And can clients’ tastes and preferences be categorized by region?

From the client’s perspective, designer “Nouf Al-Sudairi” shares her experience through her namesake label, considered one of the most prominent abaya brands in Saudi Arabia. She began her journey in 2015, introducing abayas in bold, solid colors crafted from luxurious fabrics for both the abaya and the veil. The brand produces more than 8,000 abayas per month, with sales reaching 60,000 pieces in 2023 alone. Today, Nouf Al-Sudairi has multiple branches in Riyadh, Khobar, and Madinah, in addition to an online store.

The designer explains: “At the beginning, both the Eastern Province and Madinah were more receptive to and in greater demand for the color diversity I introduced in my abaya collections each season. What also distinguishes the Madinah branch is that it attracts a large segment of clients from around the world, as it overlooks the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. This was a major reason behind my decision to open a branch in the Hijaz region, so that the abaya could be exported as part of our cultural identity.”

Continuing her remarks, she added: “Today, after several years, I’ve noticed that the abayas I launch each season are in demand across all branches as well as on our online store, regardless of their color variety. It seems that, little by little, customer tastes have become more aligned and less varied across regions. I believe the reason behind this is the influence of social media on consumers. Still, the black abaya remains the first to sell out in Riyadh.”

Nouf also comments on color diversity in abayas: “I’ve noticed that my clients in Jeddah are not very adventurous and prefer black, brown, and navy. However, I also observe that whenever we introduce truly distinctive colors, such as light blue, they sell out quickly across all branches.”

Abaya designer Asma Al-Obaid, founder of the label Out of Line, shares her own observations about clients from different regions: “My clients in the Eastern Province tend to prefer lightweight, practical, and informal abayas at lower price points.

Meanwhile, clients in Riyadh look more for blazer-cut abayas in darker shades, especially those working in government entities and ministries, who often request custom designs with patterns and colors inspired by Saudi culture.”
She continues her remarks about her clients’ preferences, saying: “My clients from the Western Region are bolder in their choice of colors.”

All of these patterns are varied, highlighting the importance of Riyadh as a hub for employment. It is therefore logical that there is strong demand there for abayas designed with formal cuts, such as the blazer style, and in equally formal colors.

Walid Al-Amari, Head of the Fabrics Department at Salem Al-Amari Sons Company, shares his observation on the purchasing patterns of their clients: “There is a difference between clients in Riyadh and Jeddah, though not a major one. Clients in Riyadh tend to request very high-end fabrics regardless of price, and their willingness to purchase increases the more exclusive and rare the fabric is in the market.”
He continues with his remarks about their clients in Jeddah: “Clients in Jeddah prioritize price first, then fabric, unlike clients in Riyadh. However, what I’ve observed today is that all of them now tend to prefer trending fabrics, such as those suitable for blazer-style abayas, as well as fabrics that do not require heat pressing.”

Here, I, Hadeel, offer a general analytical perspective on the type of creative and innovative direction in each region, to illustrate the extent to which nature and geography influence fashion, as well as the varying patterns of customer preferences. Yet such insights can only be confirmed through actual experience and well-studied statistics.