JEDDAH — For the first time in its history, the Jeddah-based Dar Al-Hekma College will award the Kingdom’s first fashion design bachelor’s degrees to 22 lucky girls.

“Students will have to complete four years before being awarded the degree,” Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi told Al-Watan newspaper. For girls to have the opportunity to study in such a progressive field is living proof that the future for Saudi women is blossoming fast, Dr. Al-Qurashi added.

The students will be taught about sewing, cutting, silhouettes, fabric engineering and design aesthetics.

Dina Qattan, director of the fashion design department, expressed her pride in the quality of work she has seen from the girls in her class.

“The work students have designed thus far is way beyond our expectations. This is a unique program which, besides focusing on fashion design as an art, equips students with the management skills they will require to start their own small businesses once they graduate.” — SG