Saudi Princess Noura: Made to Measure Fashion Ambassador
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Established 1961 Lifestyle SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 Children stand in a field of Tulips in Mainau, southern Germany.—AFP Saudi Princess Noura: Made to measure fashion ambassador young Saudi Arabian princess inspired “Wearing the abaya or being if you would like Fashion for everyone “Couture is no longer affordable to a lot of by her time living in Tokyo is the new to call it conservative in the way we dress is The princess graduated from Tokyo’s Rikkyo people,” said Princess Noura. “It was something face of fashion in an ultraconservative something that is part of who we are. Its part of University with a Masters degree in International that was part of fashion and still is ... but these kingdom, where dramatic reforms have our culture ... this is how our life is, even while Business with a Japanese Perspective. She cites days people are focusing even more on ready-to- sparked equal parts optimism and travelling,” she said. Saudi Arabia has witnessed her time in Japan as a major influence on her wear which is something that everyone can indulge skepticism.A Princess Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud, the rapid policy change since the June appointment approach to fashion, business and people at home. in, everyone can wear, everyone can be part of.” great-granddaughter of Saudi Arabia’s founder, of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of was named honorary president of the Arab Fashion the king and heir to his throne. From this summer, Council in December. The royal, who turns 30 on women will be allowed to drive in the kingdom. Sunday, this month oversaw her country’s first The crown prince has also hinted that the abaya, Arab Fashion Week, headlined by Jean Paul the neck-to-toe robe worn by women, may no Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli. longer be compulsory. Safe couture The first Saudi Arabian edition of Arab Fashion Week opened on April 11, two weeks behind schedule, under the eye of Princess Noura. Couture is Organized by the Arab Fashion Council, the event drew international attention both as a watershed in no longer Saudi Arabia and for its controversial configura- tion, which saw the shows restricted to women- and banned to cameras. The lineup included Saudi affordable Arabia’s own Arwa Banawi, whose The Suitable Woman range is adored by fashionistas across the region, and Mashael Alrajhi, the eponymous gen- “That’s where the whole love of fashion started,” The princess also has her eye on introducing tex- President of the Arab der-inclusive label of a rarely seen Saudi sheikha. she said. “So I think I bring back a lot of Japan to tile manufacturing to Saudi Arabia, which is seek- Fashion Council in Saudi With a shayla headscarf draped over her hair, Princess Noura said the limited access was Saudi ... The respect of others, the respect of other ing to reduce the economy’s dependence on oil. Arabia Princess Noura bint the princess is warm, welcoming and eloquent, the “part of the restrictions that we have to follow as people’s culture, of other people’s religion.” “Even if it’s just 10 percent of the production line, Faisal Al-Saud works at her exact image that fans have hailed as the future of part of the culture. It was a women-only event and The cultural influence of Asia is visible in Riyadh, or the manufacturing line, we can have the finish- office in the Saudi capital Saudi Arabia and critics have dismissed as little some women are coming to the event-most of where the crossover between the kimono and abaya ing ... the last stages of assembly in Saudi Arabia,” Riyadh. — AFP photos more than window dressing in one of the most them, I would say-feeling safe. “I’m coming to see is growing in popularity among fashion-loving she said. “I believe that we can do something restrictive countries in the world. “Absolutely I fashion without having to worry about anyone tak- youth. Ready-couture, the halfway point between great.”—AFP understand people’s perspective,” Princess Noura ing my picture. I want to enjoy it.” Pictures of the haute-couture and ready-to-wear, has also sky- said in an interview in Riyadh. “Saudi Arabia has event were taken by the fashion council’s photog- rocketed in the region with the rise of social media strong ties with its culture. As a Saudi woman, I raphers and released after the approval of Saudi and influencers, and Saudi Arabia has an eye on that respect my culture, I respect my religion. Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. market-as a future manufacturing hub. .