Fashion-forward apparel with a twist of tradition

Young Saudi fashion designer Safiah Alaquil is a promising name in the fashion industry. Her brand ‘Badawiah’ is inspired from cultures and traditions of different countries. She uses the traditional craftsmanship of Saudi Arabia and combines it with modern and ethnic fashion. With this project she also aims to support children in need using half of the profits earned. In a chat with Arab News, she talks of her journey so far and where she hopes to see herself in the future.

Tell us about yourself and what sparked your interest in fashion.

I’m Saudi Argentine, so from early childhood, I was exposed to different cultures and the enrichment of traveling. Having relatives in Argentina, I finished my high school there, and then moved to California, where I graduated with a major in Psychology and a minor in Art. Fashion and jewelry design have always been my passion. I first started making jewelry when I was 11, which fed my hunger for designing ever since. I recently moved back to Jeddah and decided to pursue something that combined my love for designing and traveling, along with the opportunity to give back to communities and help children in need. With those elements in mind, Badawiah was created.

Can you tell us more about your clothing label?

The idea behind Badawiah is to blend different ethnic and traditional cultures. I thought of giving a unique colorful twist to something so traditional like an abaya and to include other handmade textiles from around the world. I think women in Saudi Arabia look for freedom of expression while maintaining traditional culture and style and Badawiah abayas just do that. Since each collection is based on different countries where I travel, I am usually able to have a collection ready every 3-4 months.

Original article by Afshan Aziz

Continue reading at Arab News:

Fashion-forward apparel with a twist of tradition