Makkah: Saudi designer Saliha Al-Shahrani is powerful force in the Kingdom’s fashion world who uses her work to reimagine the rich culture of the country’s south.
Hailing from the mountainous region of Asir, she has forged a unique creative path drawing on local traditions.
Al-Shahrani spoke to Arab News about how her connection to southern Arabia is a natural extension of her identity.
The designer’s deep-rooted bond with Asir led her to reimagine traditional clothing, creating designs that appeal to a wide audience while authentically representing her homeland.
“I merge modernity with authenticity through the use of colors and materials, without ever compromising the spirit of southern attire,” she said.
A cornerstone of her collections is the Asiri dress — known as “al-Muzanad or Al-Mujanab” — a signature piece worn during national celebrations, including Founding Day.
Al-Shahrani particularly enjoys working with velvet, although she uses a range of materials to represent the different climates of Asir.
She said that her designs are inspired by natural landmarks such as Mount Dhirah (the Green Mountain), Jabal Al-Janoub in Asir, and the Sarawat Mountains in Abha.
The designer highlighted her well-known design, Dhirah, inspired by the mountain, which has become a signature piece in her collection.
She said that her participation in international exhibitions has brought positive feedback, with designs garnering widespread acclaim and being embraced by a diverse global audience.
This experience reaffirmed her belief that Saudi heritage has immense artistic value, especially when reimagined with a contemporary perspective and presented with professional finesse.
Al-Shahrani praised Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for removing many obstacles, particularly by empowering women, and highlighted the need for continued support of international exhibitions that promote Saudi cultural identity on a global scale.
In a message to aspiring designers, she urged them to break free from convention, move beyond imitation, and carve their own creative paths, adding that success on a global scale begins with thoughtfully crafted local excellence.
Al-Shahrani’s ambition is to launch a boutique in one of the world’s leading fashion capitals, where she can present the heritage of southern Saudi Arabia to a wider audience.
