Post by : Meena Ariff

The 2025 edition of Riyadh Fashion Week displayed an impressive array of local talent, where designers skillfully fuse cultural legacies with innovative styles. The standout Fall 2025 Couture collections delved into personal narratives, artistic expression, and advanced design techniques.

A notable collection featured an all-black theme characterized by dramatic silhouettes and emotional resonance. Drawing inspiration from profound personal experiences, it showcased flowing capes, hoods, and billowing gowns adorned with crystals, lace, and rich textures, complemented by burgundy accents contrasting against the dark palette. This approach illustrates the designer’s view that emotional turmoil can morph into wearable art.

Sisters Alia and Abeer Oraif captivated audiences with “A Ticket to the Theater,” a line honoring the transformative power of performance. Their collection boasted striking A-line capes, voluminous designs, and elaborate decorations, paired with subtle harlequin motifs in earthy tones and lively graphic prints. A standout red ruffled cape symbolized self-love and confidence, perfect for the spotlight.

The Abadia collection embraced volume through silk, velvet, and wool cloaks in rich hues of brown, cream, gold, and deep burgundy. Creative head Shahd Al-Shehail commemorated the legacy of Saudi pearl divers, reflecting on the resilient women who managed homes while their husbands were at sea. She drew from her grandfather’s youthful adventures as a source of inspiration.

Leem’s Fall 2025 collection harmonized traditional Saudi attire with European styles from the 1970s. It featured flowing bisht-style garments, farwas, and chic chiffon pieces suitable for professional settings. Unique color-melting techniques on leg-of-mutton sleeves were modernized with sleek lines, representing the dual identity of the modern Saudi woman—practical yet stylish.

Waad Aloqaili’s “YAMAL” collection celebrated the Kingdom's nautical history, integrating detailed embroidery and mother-of-pearl elements. A standout gown boasted delicate strands of pearls and crystals, while accessories like gold earrings paid tribute to traditional pearl-diving tools and motifs from Najdi culture.

Alazzouni marked her debut runway show in Saudi Arabia with a collection inspired by the Gulf’s pearl-diving past. Her designs utilized visual elements reminiscent of fishing ropes and coral, in a palette of cream, gold, black, and hints of blue, evoking the essence of the sea.

Mirai introduced a streetwear-inspired Fall/Winter 2025 line dubbed “ALMOSTAGBAL,” merging Saudi and Japanese urban influences. Featuring cropped blazers, Nehru collars, and triangular embroidery inspired by Najdi architecture, the collection offered a playful yet polished vibe. The use of moss greens, blacks, and whites highlighted design elements, presenting a fresh perspective on contemporary Saudi streetwear.

HINDAMME’s “Hejaz” collection, curated by Mohammed Khoja, paid homage to Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz region with a range of full-length monochrome dresses, silk shirts, elegant knitwear, and vibrant coats in scarlet and hot pink. Circular Arabic prints echoed previous design motifs, establishing a cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western luxury fashion.

In summary, Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 served as a platform for Saudi designers to blend cultural heritage, personal narratives, and global fashion trends, presenting collections that are deeply rooted yet boldly contemporary.

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