Fashion Forward
Reading time:8min
Written by Rebecca Anne Proctor
Photographs courtesy of Tima Abid
LEFT: Abid sketches a dress that would be worn by Saudi television presenter Lojain Omran. RIGHT: A model walks the runway of the Riyadh Fashion Show in another of Abid’s designs
Within a specially devised outdoor setting in Saudi Arabia’s capital, models in magnificently embroidered gowns of satin, lace, mesh and velvet walked the runway in a presentation that distinctly married contemporary couture with Arabian heritage. Showcasing intricate beadwork and glistening sequins, capes and at times shimmering head scarfs, Saudi designer Tima Abid’s latest collection marked her first public presentation in her home country for the inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week last fall.
The scene echoed the celebratory vibe of Abid’s debut show more than three years prior. During Paris Haute Couture Week she presented an equally glamorous 50-piece collection to invitation-only guests and the alluring songs of famous Tunisian singer Oumaima Taleb.
“Tima Abid has been a household name in Jeddah, known for its glamorous take on the female silhouette and an unapologetic esthetic of decadence,” says Marriam Mossalli, a Saudi lifestyle editor and founder of communications agency Niche Arabia.
Abid’s collections are regal, grand, bold and ultrafeminine. Highlighted pieces at Riyadh Fashion Week included a skirt made entirely of metallic sequins and blue and red feathers that glistened with every step the model took as well as a wedding gown with jewel-embellished silk panels.
Some contemporary looks came in the form of fitted bolero jackets decorated with jewels and waist-hugging corset dresses; other garments featured high jeweled necklines and fitted long sleeves with feathers or other jewels at the wrists.
Abid’s career did not begin with such a spectacle but stems from more than two decades of hard work.
From the time she was a young girl in Jeddah, Abid loved fashion. Elegant dresses represented a magical world about which she would dream. Growing up, Abid says, she didn’t get much exposure to the world of fashion. “There’s wasn’t much television in my household or magazines for me to read about the latest trends. I still always loved dresses. I even have dresses I have kept for over 25 years.”
Abid’s website includes gowns that are “demi couture,” meaning an existing silhouette’s color or fabric is changed to the customer’s taste.
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