Saliha Al-Shahrani, the fashion designer inspired by the landscapes of southern Arabia
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.
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