Fashion Forward: Covered in Style

Ariana Langston

Nothing but sparkles and shine, new collections of design; according to Forbes.com a three day event was assembled for fashion week in the Middle East. Designers from all the surrounding countries gathered together to show off their new designs each one more glamorous than the last.

Beautiful greens, oranges, reds, purples, and heavenly shades of blue took over the runway. Designers from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, all gathered to show off their new dresses. These Middle Eastern designers have fantastically captured the audience with their detailed embroidery and incredibly intricate details. Interestingly enough the show was not open for just anyone. Due to the clothing being presented the first two nights, men were banned from coming into the show. Only women were allowed. However, on the last evening married men allowed to attend this special Arabian event.

Even without the men there the show flourished with brilliant bright colors and new eccentric designs unfamiliar to those of which the designers had exposed before. Designer Nawal Al Hooti brought culture and tradition, introducing her new modern collection of Omani inspired clothes, designer Amina Al Jassim’s line followed up with an abundance of color bringing light to the runway. Business is booming for female designer Amina Al-Jassim whose clothing, while still reflecting the culture and beauty of the traditional Saudi Arabian clothing, remains beautiful in color, style, and incredible detail.

Photo collage created by Ariana Langston and Megan Kelly. Dresses on the outside of the image were created by Amina Al Jassim for her 2012 collection, the middle dress was designed by the Kanzi brand based in the United Arab Emirates.

Her collection include Traditional, Classic, Trendy clothing along with wedding dresses along with a few others. She has an incredible amount of different styled traditionally inspired articles of creativity and color, suitable for any age or size. She captures well a stylish new Saudi Arabian influenced collection while continuing to stay true to her heritage with her traditional full covering head scarves and dresses.

This of course is not the only thing going on in the Middle East for fashion. While some Middle Eastern woman do dress in modesty with respectful head coverings they have had a chance to remain modest in dress and still reflect their own personal style.

As the fashion industry continues to grow in the Middle East new fashion trends become more popular, especially for women, where their clothing is so restricted in terms of different kinds of clothing. Some women though, have expanded in various colors lining their headscarves. This is keeping the respect and modesty there while allowing these women to be fashion-forward.

To read more on Middle Eastern fashions and to check out famous designers like those mentioned now, check out:

Nawala Hooti
Amina Al Jassim
Forbes Coverage of Fashion Week