First Ever Saudi Design Week! #iamdesign

Three years ago, it would have been impossible to talk about a huge event in Riyadh. We’ve been feeling envious of Jeddah which has been holding indie events here and there. We really thought we’d have to migrate over there just to attend a fashion or design show (because have you seen The Loft? It's so nice!). Then the capital decided to ease up on the events and we would get invited to a few from time to time. I just think that Saudi Arabia is bursting with creativity... it just needs the avenue and venue for it to come out! 

Finally, here’s one event that might just launch a thousand other fashion and design events… 

The Saudi Design Week is launching its first edition this month. From February 9-15, 2014, Riyadh will be a host to this boutique fair created and organized by Oasis Magazine in partnership with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. A series of open events that go beyond a single main venue will enliven different areas of the city center. SDW will bring together stars of design, creatives, and the public for a lively discussion of relevant design topics and exhibition of the region’s best. Multiple disciplines from decorative art, design, art, photography, typography, and fashion will be covered. 

Noura Bouzo, co-founder and organizer of the SDW, said “It is not about being the most extravagant regional gathering of design but SDW is about starting a solid conversation that will initiate advancement within the creative community.” SDW hopes to start a great dialog and cooperation among the creative communities and help Saudi’s art and design landscape grow through action and discussion. 

A highlight of this year’s SDW is the Design Forum. Gracing the forum are keynote speakers including HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Cyril Zammit, Carla Saliba, Faisal Malki, Dr. Maha Senan, and many more. 

With the slogan, “I AM DESIGN,” SDW promises to put a spotlight on the persons behind the products. “It is about time that Riyadh celebrates Saudi Arabia’s thriving creative energy and learn from the region’s creative scenes. SDW is a sample of what the city has to offer. Riyadh will showcase the best of the design community from grassroots movements, to government institutions, and international presence. This is the first step towards creating a solid design hub,” said Basma Bouzo, also the co-founder and organizer of SDW. 

Indeed, this huge event will not only help catapult Riyadh to become one of the most thriving design destinations of the region. It will also show how Riyadh is opening up to the world in terms of sharing their creativity to the international scene and in return, the world celebrating Riyadh’s creativity and beauty. 

For more information on the Saudi Design Week, you can check www.saudidesignweek.com. You can get your tickets HERE for $14 per day. (Hurry! The Opening Day tickets are sold out!) And don’t forget the hashtags #iamdesign and #saudidesignweek when you’re updating your social media sites! :) 

See you at the SDW14! ~ Sundrenched

The BBFS (The Best of Britain Fashion Show)

THINK STELLA MCCARTNEY. Alexander McQueen. Victoria Beckham alone. These are just few of the respected brands in fashion history and they are first and foremost, grandiosely British. 

The recently held Best of Britain Fashion Show was a first of its kind for the British Embassy, as part of the Best of Britain Saudi Arabia 2013 Exhibition and Workshops. Sponsored by Harvey Nichols and other local enterprises, the event marked yet another step for the thriving fashion scene here in Riyadh. We were invited as one of the press people to cover the groundbreaking event and Sundrenched and I were more than happy to attend. 

The garden area of the Ambassador's residence was transformed into a chic, yet charming atmosphere fit for a catwalk. There were flowers, lights and mannequins dressed in selected designer wear, featuring of course, the best of British designers under the Harvey Nichols' line. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails were flowing along for the guests while the house music composed of Bee Gees, Freddie Mercury and The Beatles, definitely putting us in a Great Britain state-of-mind. 

Harvey Nichols' goddie bags for the special guests. :)

The catwalk.

Since the press people were allowed first dibs on the venue, I was able to take a lot of photos before the rest of the guests arrived. Meanwhile, Sundrenched was going around meeting our fellow bloggers who also graced the event (Special shoutout to Danya Ismail, HudaAlsomali, FashionLocator and RubaFahhd).

A figure-hugging Alexander McQueen piece.

A maxi tube dress with dragonflies. Perfect for a sunny day.

Is your style simple and classy? This may be for you.

Another flowy, maxi dress with a beige belt for accent.

Fringe on cream by Stella McCartney.

Empower your wardrobe with color. And mean business.

Very casual chic.

Maybe abstract is more your style? 

I love the dresses on display because they all catered to different kinds of women. From the carefree, to the business-minded to the ultra-feminine. While waiting for the show to begin, I was able to get a sneak peek at the action backstage.

Bobbi Brown essentials for the models.

I loved their energy backstage. Happy and excited models.

         

Stylist Nahar, the fashion icon behind the mask. Photo by Salman Thamer.

                                       
I also caught one of the most fabulously dressed ladies at the event. Her dress is from Dubai and I must say, it complemented her look and personality very well. 

Finally, the show began by 8:30PM. There was an opening message by the British Ambassador, Sir John Jenkins (which he did in Arabic AND English, very cool!) and then the models began to showcase the clothes thereafter. While there was a mix-up on whether we were allowed to take photos or not, I just opted to blur out the faces of the models to just follow in line with the general ruling of showing Arab women's faces. By the way, they were all beautiful.

Also, please pardon me if I am not able to identify all the labels of all the dresses shown on the runway, since they were not mentioned during the show. I can only note some that I was sure of to be of a particular designer. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy seeing what they wore and checking out my favorites of the bunch.

Floral day dress. 

Fringe on lace by Stella McCartney. THIS I LOVE. :) 

Coral cut-out dress, Sundrenched's choice for a nice day out and about.

Bright orange maxi. It would be nice for a formal occasion.

The color of the year in a cocktail, wrap-around dress. Fab pair with those nude sling backs.

Another cocktail dress, this time in midnight blue. 

A darker, emerald green with some major bling on the front.

Be the sunshine in this long, flowy yellow dress.

A form fitting, orange evening dress. 

Definitely an Alexander McQueen creation. Feel like a goddess in this dress.

Sundrenched's FAVORITE: A nude dress that definitely spelled "airy and free."

And there you have it! We were very pleased with the turnout of the show and we really hope that this would just be the first of many other shows to come. All dresses featured in the show can be found at Harvey Nichols at the Faisaliah Tower and don't forget that the Best of Britain Saudi Arabia 2013 Exhibition and Workshops is now ongoing at Nayyara Banqueting and Convention Centre here in Riyadh until tomorrow, 9:00AM-12PM and 4:00PM to 10:00PM. 

At the end of that night, Sundrenched and I were very thankful that the fashion scene here in Riyadh is really on its way and we're taking these growing number of fashion events as a positive sign that an established fashion industry will be booming in this desert city faster than we've expected it to.



xoxo,
Eyecandy

The #CreativeJapanFashionFair

The Pink Tarha has been invited to attend the Creative Japan Fashion Fair last night. Happening at the Harvey Nichols in Faisaliah Mall, this event is organized by the Japan Fashion Week Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The fair was launched last night but will run until March 15, 2013 at the Plaza Floor (Special Space) of Harvey Nichols. We're happy to see this kind of events unfold in Riyadh so we were there in a heartbeat.

The third floor is the place to be.

The charm of Japan culture has always been a trend in the fashion industry. Its quirkiness and cuteness are its main draws. The Creative Japan Fashion Fair aims to introduce the appealing points of Japanese fashion and culture to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As their cute kit said, "Through the CREATIVE JAPAN Fashion Fair, we hope you will incorporate various charms of "Japan" brands in your life." 

Artist Teppei Maki created key visuals with motifs from manga artist Osamu Tezuka's characters.

The following brands are participating in the fair: 

A Degree Fahrenheit - garments that has design aesthetics that will enhance the value of individuals.

FugaHum - clothing line that uses the various ways of fashion design and art making.

Gasbook Tee - an original t-shirt brand by Gas As Interface as a means for artists to expand their creativity.

Motonari Ono - clothes that has a classic romantic and luxurious feel

Pleats Please by Issey Miyake - a line that embodies the most fundamental concepts of designer Issey Miyake

Somarta - body wear series that has a "possibility on the body" concept

Tsumori Chisato - innovative and luxurious textiles, intricate beading, embroidery, appliques, and prints

Asumi Bijoux - colors and beauty of plants in jewelry; created by Asumi Shiromoto

Bao Bao by Issey Miyake - line of bags and pouches that folds, accommodates and transforms itself after handling to create dramatic new shapes

Chiso - collection of stoles that introduces a delicate sense of beauty today

Coquette - handbags in high quality leather made in Japan by Japanese traditional artisan techniques for modern women

e.m. - accessories that are fun and make people smile by delight and surprise

Furifu - kimonos (Japanese dress) and modern clothing and accessories that show Japanese traditions and culture

Keiko Kuroishi - opulent selection of scarves with artistic colors

Q-Pot - accessories that brings endless surprises

Amabro - a brand new art that combines traditional Japanese ideals of art and craftmanship with today's new influences and experiences

Hana Hyaku Yo - high quality lifestyle and floral beauty

Swati - cute art objects (mainly candles) that have a strong attention for colors, scents, and details

Wasara - disposable tableware that are earth-conscious and fully biodegradable and compostable

Tokyu Hands - the hint market: ideal superstore

(brand descriptions are condensed from the media kit)

We went around the display and exhibit area to take photos of stuff that really caught our attention... and boy there were many! Here's a glimpse of what you'll see in the Creative Japan Fashion Fair...

High-end fashion

Chisato's creations

Issey Miyake's captivating Pleats Please

The Bao Bao of Issey Miyake

Floral patterns from Hana Hyaku Yo

Kimono-inspired clutches and wallets

Origami-inspired

Delicious jewelries!

Macaroons, not edible.

I'm in love with this set. So decadent!

So soft Standard Crafts (not for sale)

Homaygawd, cuteness overload! (sadly not for sale)

Lucky charms

Aren't these the quirkiest chair for your gadgets?

I want to take home this whole luggage!

I have to admit that I didn't take a lot of photos of their clothes because these are items you need to see and feel for yourself. Also, when I saw their mini stationery area on the third floor, I was rooted in place. I can't help it. I love Japanese stationeries. They think of the cutest stuff and they invent the little things that you think you don't need but actually, you do.

I LOVE WASHI TAPES!!!! (SR30 each)

Crafters would love these decorative tapes. 

Looks good enough to eat? Don't! They're candles. Haha.

So much goodness!

WOuld I dare use these for erasing? I'd rather put them as decors. LOL.

KAWAII! 

I'm getting hungry just by looking at these... clips?!

For doodling, scribbling, writing

Winner! Eyecandy and I LOVE this!

See? They do think of every thing!

Seriously, you need more clips in your life!

Jewels that you can put in your iphone via its earphones jack

I told you, the stationery section left me pining for every thing in their rack. I hope I can come back for the washi tapes (please don't hoard them, haha!). 

The event was lovely and well-organized. We can't help but wish they would create more events like this in Riyadh. ;) Thank you, Harvey Nichols!

The Creative Japan Fashion Fair is until March 15. Go and visit now! (and please remember, do not hoard their stationery products, okay? Leave some for us!) The mere art wall is enough reason to drop by. ~ Sundrenched

Harvey Nichols

Faisaliah Mall

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-273-4444

E: info@alfa.com.sa

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