Saudi-born Arwa Al Banawi spent a great part of her childhood in Switzerland, fostering an infinite love for fashion. After moving to Dubai, her love grew stronger and stronger, reaching a turning point in the designer’s life where passion finally met reality.

Her wonderful journey began back in 2015, with her debut collection of ready-to-wear suits and shirts, drawing inspiration from her travel-loaded life.

Only this Ramadan, the talented designer is experimenting with her Saudi roots, bringing up mementos of the Arabian heritage. Being determinedly forward-thinking, Al Banawi revisited the concept of a traditional thobe by instilling a zest of French elegance right through the cuffs and added a daze of fine cashmere cotton to complete the picture. In keeping with that sense of experimentation, her androgynous designs accompanied by beautiful scarves embroidered with Arabic calligraphy exquisitely enhance the Arabian feel she was going for.

“During Ramadan, I think more women are looking for alternative ways of dressing that are both comfortable and modern. That’s why I wanted to create pieces that are not only inspired by Arabia’s rich heritage but also merge trends from the West. I took a classic men’s thobe and elongated it with thigh-high slits and exaggerated cuffs in soft cottons as an alternative to the traditional kaftan” – Arwa Al Banawi

Arwa Al Banawi’s traditional-meets-modern reality is sure to be greeted by thunderous applause as she introduces he desert-toned collection to the fashion scene, a collection with an essence that lies in the designer’s love for historic settings and modernistic outlooks.

We won’t keep you much longer, so head to our Photo Gallery and take a look at Arwa Al Banawi’s wondrous collection.

Cindy Menassa