RIYADH: Day four of Riyadh Fashion Week drew well-heeled crowds as Saudi Arabia’s capital played host to the penultimate day of the annual showcase, with a clear focus on sharp cuts and day-to-night dressing on the runway.

Saudi labels including MD29, RBA, Noura Sulaiman, Harjuss, KML and Mazrood staged catwalk shows.

Known for its experimental take on formal fashion, MD29 presented a boardroom-ready collection featuring deconstructed blazers in a muted color palette of greys, camel tones and dark blues.

Bubble skirts made an appearance on the runway, exemplifying the label’s desire to incorporate current trends in sleek day-to-night wear.

Ready-to-wear brand RBA, which is based between Saudi Arabia and New York, celebrated the power of texture.

Models showed off elevated casual looks created from linen and wrinkled, textured cotton. Layering was a key component of the collection, with hooded waistcoat-style garments styled over linen shirts in shades of beige, rust and chocolate brown.

For her part, ready-to-wear designer Noura Sulaiman, who specializes in both menswear and womenswear, sent a bevy of models down the runway in a variety of looks. Materials and embellishments were varied, with some ensembles featuring gold-to-solver ombre paillettes while others were rendered in ribbed wool.

A standout detail were the lines of embroidered Arabic text on the labels of some blazers and shirts, while a grey jumper dress with a trailing cape decorated with celestial patterns turned heads on the runway.

KML co-founders Ahmed and Razan Hassan showed off an equally chic collection, with structed blazer sets and belted workwear for men. Wraparound co-ords and menswear complete with capes capped off a sleek, standout collection that seemed to meld Arab and Japanese-style influences in something altogether new for the Saudi fashion scene.

Riyadh-based label Mazrood took the evening in a colorful direction with floral knitwear worn under red-piped, blue co-ords and a recurring sky blue flower motif that was spotted on multiple items. The streetwear label kept things casual but also offered evening-appropriate looks, including a blazer featuring a shower of sharp blue embellishments.

Riyadh Fashion Week drew to a close on Monday night and it has been an insightful look at all that the burgeoning — and relatively young — Saudi fashion scene has to offer.

RIYADH: The third day of Riyadh Fashion Week (RFW) saw Saudi labels Mona Alshebil, Abadia, Razan Alazzouni, ArAm, and Kaf by Kaf present their latest collections, with designers exploring such themes as Saudi Arabia’s wildlife and the influence of technology on fashion.

A particular highlight was ArAm by Arwa Al-Ammari, whose fashion show was a celebration of Saudi Arabia's wildlife. The collection was inspired by the country’s rich natural heritage, focusing on animals that are seldom seen, such as the oryx, the Arabian leopard, the Arabian wolf, and the Arabian bustard. In addition to these creatures, the collection drew aesthetic influences from indigenous plants like sider (Ziziphus spina), arar (Juniper), arak (Salvadora Persica), sheh (Artemisia), sant (Acacia), gada (Haloxylon Persicum), and athoba (Senegalia Mellifera). 

These animals and plants hold significant cultural importance, often featuring in Arab poetry and idioms, serving as symbols of beauty and resilience deeply rooted in Saudi heritage. 

 Abdullah Al-Shehri, the only Saudi model on the runway at ArAm’s show, shared his experience, stating, “I represented the work of Arwa Al-Ammari today, and honestly, the show was spectacular. The collection was so creative, and I am really glad to be a part of this show at RFW for the second year in a row.”

Following the show, Kaf by Kaf took to the stage with a striking presentation of designer Kawthar Alhoraish’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, aptly titled "Artificial Beauty." The collection explored the tension between technology and nature, delving into the contradictions that arise when organic forms collide with artificial constructs.

The collection was not only a showcase of fashion but also a commentary on the interplay between the organic and the synthetic. 

Shouq, a prominent influencer who donned pieces from Kaf by Kaf, expressed her admiration for the collection. “When I first read the title 'Artificial Beauty,' I was intrigued. But when I saw the robot model strutting down the runway, everything clicked. The reflective skirts and the overall theme were executed brilliantly. I was truly wowed and found myself wanting every piece in the collection,” she told Arab News.

The use of a robot model was a bold choice, symbolizing the fusion of fashion and technology. It reinforced the theme of the collection, making a strong statement about the future of fashion. Kaf by Kaf’s exploration of artificial beauty challenges traditional notions and invites a conversation about the role of technology in our lives and how it shapes our understanding of aesthetics. 

As Riyadh Fashion Week continues to unfold, the diverse and thought-provoking presentations from designers like Aram and Kaf by Kaf highlight the vibrant creativity within Saudi fashion.