Saudi Arabia held its first fashion show featuring swimsuit models.

Saudi Arabia held its first fashion show featuring swimsuit models. This is a big change for a country where women used to have to wear body-covering abaya robes.

The event took place by a pool and showed off designs by Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal. The swimsuits were mostly one-piece and came in red, beige, and blue. Some styles had exposed shoulders and midriffs. 

Qanzal felt honored to be part of this historic event.The fashion show was part of the first Red Sea Fashion Week at the St Regis Red Sea Resort. This is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to change the country’s social and economic ways.

Since 2017, Saudi Arabia has made many social reforms to soften its strict image influenced by Wahhabism. Syrian influencer Shouq Mohammad said the event shows Saudi Arabia’s efforts to open up to the world and grow its fashion and tourism sectors. French influencer Raphael Simacourbe noted that while the swimsuits might not be seen as daring globally, they are a big deal in Saudi Arabia.

In 2022, the Saudi Fashion Commission reported that the fashion industry was worth $12.5 billion and employed 230,000 people.