JEDDAH — Around twenty Dar Al-Hekma University students participated in Vogue Italia Fashion Experience Jeddah by Rubaiyat. The event was held at Rubaiyat Department Store in Stars Avenue, Jeddah.
The students displayed their designs for the visitors that varied from media, fashion experts and society leaders. Some of Dar Al-Hekma University’s alumnae had a chance to present their brands during the exhibition.
“Working with international institutions is an extremely invaluable experience for all students, Dar Al-Hekma University thrives to provide such opportunities to the students to build a well-rounded personality and to start the students’ success stories from the beginning of the academic journey,” said Dr. Suhair Hassan Al Qurashi, the president of Dar Al-Hekma University.
Rubaiyat approached Dar Al-Hekma University to work with Vogue Italia to help focus the spotlight on the Saudi fashion talents. Francesca Airoldi, Sara Maino and Giuseppe Silvestrin visited Dar Al-Hekma University from Vogue Italia back in March with Rubaiyat representatives Wafaa Abbar, Abeer Al-Kabbani and Amra Al-Abdali to assess the fashion talent level in the university by going through some graduation projects of some of the senior students in Dar Al-Hekma.
Vogue requested from Dina Kattan, chair of the Fashion Design Department, to submit a collection of the students’ work within one month. The requirement was to create a “Red Carpet Look” collection that linked the Arabian culture with the European.
Around 25 students submitted their work and the top ten happened to be sophomore year students. Those students were allowed to present their work in a separated area during the exhibition under the name “Touch of Gold”. Twenty-two of Dar Al-Hekma students were part of the Vogue Italia Fashion Experience Jeddah by Rubaiyat and had the opportunity to display their work to the public.
The top ten students in the“Touch of Gold” were Bashayer Al-Kahtani, Esraa Al-Dabbagh, Haneen Ghazzawi, Lama Bawazeer, Lujain Meera, Manar Al-Najjar, Nouf Al-Nouwaiser, Raneem Shaaban, Sara Baqutayan and Shaima Al-Hadi.
When Dina Kattan asked Franca Sozzani, the editor in chief of Vogue Italia, what she thought of Dar Al-Hekma’s students’ work she was pleasantly surprised. “I am beyond amazed with the high creativity level and the neatness in the sewing techniques,” said Sozzani.
“Dar Al-Hekma University’s students were extraordinary, and I predict that they will reach international and global stardom,” said Trad Basonbul the Radio anchor.
“Today we saw some amazing Saudi talents and the designs of Dar Al-Hekma University’s students are very beautiful,” said the Saudi Stylist Nuha Sindy.
“I loved the dresses a lot, and this is only beginners’ work; I cannot imagine what they will do with many years of experiences. I loved the colors, designs and daring spirit,” said Rahaf Al-Shareef one of the exhibition’s visitors.
Three of university’s alumnae’s brands were presented in the exhibition. Fyunka, which is a word that means “bow” in Arabic is a brand created by Alaa Al-Balkhy in 2011. The brand that is culturally inspired with a fashionable aim to spread happiness through its unique customers. The brand offers many adorable products such as bags, tablet cases, phone cases, pouches, and many more.
Haal inc, a contemporary brand piloted in 2010, by Mariam Bin Mahfouz and Nouf Hakeem. Haal inc caters for the contemporary cultured woman who welcomes the traditional with audacity, innovative elements and unapologetic cuts in her outer mute statement to the world.
Alaa Sairafi, a first batch graduate form Dar Al-Hekma Fashion Design, presented her collection in the event as well. Sairafi, despite her young age. has had her designs worn by international celebrities.
“I would like to deeply thank Rubaiyat for giving my students the access to Vogue Italia. This was a priceless experience for Dar Al-Hekma students and I know it will have a great effect on their future success. I am extremely proud of my students and happy with the level of professionalism they illustrated,” said Kattan.
“Dar Al-Hekma is very proud of its students. This was the first time they design, stitch and sew, they are only sophomores, but the level of the neatness in the finishing and the attractiveness in the design were astonishing,” said the Dean of Students Dr. Sanaa Askool.
