Saudi fashion designer and founder of Pavone Shouq Almubarak talks inspiration and innovation

Saudi fashion designer Shouq Almubarak is the founder of Pavone. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 15 November 2024
Follow

Saudi fashion designer and founder of Pavone Shouq Almubarak talks inspiration and innovation

  • ‘My designs are a heartfelt expression,’ says Shouq Almubarak

RIYADH: Saudi fashion designer Shouq Almubarak is dreaming big, both for the Kingdom’s fashion industry and for her own brand, Pavone.  

“The future holds endless possibilities, and I have ambitious plans aligned with the growth of the Kingdom’s fashion industry,” Almubarak told Arab News on the sidelines of Riyadh Fashion Week in October. “I aim to continue expanding my work with larger projects that seamlessly blend authenticity with modern creativity. My ultimate vision is to reach a global audience, sharing the beauty and pride of the Saudi identity.” 

The designer also expressed her gratitude at being selected as one of the designers to represent the Kingdom on a global stage at the event, which took place from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21. 




The designer also expressed her gratitude at being selected as one of the designers to represent the Kingdom on a global stage at the event. (Supplied)

“Being part of Riyadh Fashion Week is a true honor and a moment of immense pride,” she said. “It’s not just about presenting my designs, but about contributing to the rise of Saudi fashion on the global stage. It’s an opportunity to leave my mark and help shape the future of fashion in the Kingdom.” 

Almubarak established Pavone in 2016 in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia with the aim of creating innovative designs that “meet the ultimate beauty and spirit of modern women.” She told Arab News that much of her inspiration — aside from seeing beautiful things that spark her imagination — comes from within. 




Almubarak established Pavone in 2016 in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

“I draw from moments that leave a lasting impact — whether it’s an emotion, a scene, or just a quiet moment of reflection. I then transform these moments into tangible works of art that capture and reflect the essence of those experiences. My designs are a heartfelt expression,” she said. 

Those “artistic pieces” include her couture collection “Lina,” which she presented at last year’s Riyadh Fashion Week and which she describes as one of her greatest accomplishments as a designer. 

“This collection was a breakthrough for me, as it challenged me to explore new, unconventional ideas,” Almubarak said. “‘Lina’ is more than just a fashion line — it symbolizes the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my career, full of opportunities; a defining moment that has shaped my journey as a designer.” 




Almubarak established Pavone with the aim of creating innovative designs that “meet the ultimate beauty and spirit of modern women.” (Supplied)

The biggest challenge Almubarak has faced so far, she said, is finding partners who not only understand her vision but also share her commitment to exceptional quality. 

“Ensuring that every design was brought to life with meticulous attention to detail and delivering the level of excellence my clients deserve has always been the goal I strive to achieve,” she said. 

Discussing tips for aspiring designers, she said: “My key advice is to prioritize quality; you have to select the right factory and partners. Design isn’t just about the concept — it’s about translating creativity into a finished product with precision and craftsmanship that aligns with the customer’s expectations.” 


XP Music Futures unites industry experts to drive music, creativity

Updated 05 December 2025
Follow

XP Music Futures unites industry experts to drive music, creativity

RIYADH: The annual XP Music Futures conference has started in Riyadh, celebrating creative voices and focusing firmly on the Kingdom’s music and entertainment culture.

Hosted in JAX District, the festival brings together artists, managers and fans in a bid to drive the region’s music scene forward. It is hosted by the MDLBEAST Foundation and includes a series of panel talks and workshops.

During the Saudi Music Managers Forum on Thursday, industry pioneers spoke about their experiences.

Saudi Music Managers Forum at XP Riyadh. (AN Photo / Huda Bashatah)

During on on-stage discussion between Gigi Arabia, CEO of heavy metal promotion company Heavy Arabia, and Rayan Al-Rasheed, director of operations and artist booking at MDLBEAST, the pair emphasized the importance of investing in Saudi artists.

Al-Rasheed explained that supporting the ecosystem surrounding Saudi artists from production to creative direction was a necessary component of greater success.

“What we lack in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) market is the investment in artists. When I bring foreign artists they have their own visual artists, sound engineers and more … That’s what we need to invest in, that’s what will help sell shows in the end. The more you invest, the more the product succeeds,” he said.

Zeyne Speaks on her experience as an Arab Artist. (AN Photo / Huda Bashatah)

Zeyne, a Palestinian Jordanian artist, spoke about the importance of Arab artistic representation.

On delicately incorporating Arab culture into art, she said: “We approached everything with a lot of intention and research, and I think that’s really important when you want to represent culture.”

Rawan AlTurki Poses in Front of Her Work at XP Riyadh. (AN Photo / Huda Bashatah)

The mission of empowering the region’s voices through art at the festival goes beyond music, with a diverse array of creatives attending.

Rawan Al-Turki and Abir Ahmed, photographers from Jeddah, spoke to Arab News about being part of Riyadh’s ambitious creative sector. Al-Turki said: “The development that’s happening in Riyadh, it’s really beautiful … you see so much innovation from all these artists … we’re so proud of the transformation.”