Saudi designer elevates streetwear with a touch of heritage

Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Saudi fashion designer Mohammed Saud is bringing a touch of his culture to the streetwear aesthetic using brilliant colors and abstract motifs inspired by his heritage.

Saud creates pieces inspired by the Najd region, where he was raised, such as embroidery patterns featuring Najdi inscriptions.  

The pieces he designs are a dynamic blend of traditions and contemporary style.

The art of fashion and style is finding unprecedented support and that is a golden opportunity for designers to highlight their talents.

Mohammed Saud, Fashion designer

“I wanted to emphasize heritage in a particular way while making it appear contemporary. So, I try to incorporate some of its components, like embroidery, drawing, or engravings, into a brand-new, modern design,” Saud told Arab News.  

“For instance, the most recent item I created was a fitted suit with embroidery that drew inspiration from traditional Saudi clothing such as bisht or marwadun. I enjoy blending modern elements with traditional ones and elements from Saudi Arabia’s history.”

Although Saud majored in business administration while at university, he found that his true interest lay in fashion, and his own style was always characterized by distinctive fabrics and bold colors.

In 2016, he began displaying his designs at a concept boutique in Riyadh called Personage.

He describes his aesthetic as versatile streetwear that can easily be adapted to suit a variety of occasions, including “a meeting or a dinner,” while ensuring the wearer “always seems elegant,” the designer said.

For Saud, designing clothing for Saudis is about celebrating heritage and persuading men to adopt new trends and diversify their closets.

“We must get out of our comfort zone. Times have changed, and men have many occasions and public events that require them to have different outfits,” Saud said.

In the future, he hopes to establish a fashion house where he can display his creations for both clothing and accessories like purses and shoes.   

As a fashion designer witnessing the cultural transformations in the Kingdom, Saud is thrilled by the efforts of the Ministry of Culture to elevate Saudi fashion and local designers.

“The Fashion Commission and Riyadh Fashion Week are creating a high demand for fashion in Saudi Arabia. The commission is making a tremendous effort to shed light on Saudi brands, such as the Saudi 100 Brands Fashion Exhibition,” Saud said.

“It is a beautiful thing for the world to see that there are many Saudi designers, and this will create new job opportunities. We Saudis are able to compete with any international brand.”

He thanked the minister of culture and the commission for the efforts being made. “The art of fashion and style is finding unprecedented support and that is a golden opportunity for designers to highlight their talents,” he added.