Marking a significant cultural shift in a country where, less than a decade ago, women were required to wear body-covering abaya robes, Saudi Arabia recently held its inaugural fashion show featuring models in a swimsuits. The poolside event showcased the designs of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal, who presented a collection of mostly one-piece swimsuits in shades of red, beige, and blue. Many models had exposed shoulders, and some displayed partially visible midriffs.

Through this fashion show, the designer aimed to present elegant swimsuits reflecting the Arab world, notes Qanzal. Hosting the show was a groundbreaking moment for Saudi Arabia as it was the first event of its kind in the country, adds Qanzal.

The fashion show was held on the second day of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week at the St Regis Red Sea Resort, located off Saudi Arabia's western coast. This resort is a component of Red Sea Global, one of the ambitious giga-projects central to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a social and economic reform initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Since ascending as first in line to the throne in 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed has spearheaded a series of sweeping social reforms aimed at softening Saudi Arabia's traditionally strict image, which has been heavily influenced by Wahhabism, a purist form of Islam. These reforms have included reducing the influence of the once-dominant religious police, who previously enforced prayer times by chasing men out of malls, as well as reintroducing cinemas and organising mixed-gender music festivals.