The Washington Post reports that the dour uniformity of the white Saudi thobe is facing revolutionary pressure from a new fashion designer. What’s more, the ruling family is throwing its support behind him. I found it interesting that the designer, Yahya al-Bishri, claims that the white thobe is a relatively recent development to Saudi culture and that previously there was much more variety in men’s wear. He reportedly showed early photographs to the King to back up his claims. That got him the support he needed against religious conservatives who were convinced that he was trying to destroy the culture.
Interesting read, particularly when taken along side the trend for Saudi women to break free of their plain black abayas.
The Man Who Put Color Back in Saudi Menswear
Faiza Saleh AmbahJIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — About 10 years ago, Saudi fashion designer Yahya al-Bishri decided he had had enough of the plain, long white robe worn by men here.
Bishri, who had previously designed only for women, came up with a line of men’s robes, known here as thobes, that featured elaborate geometric embroidery or patches of jean or leather. Some were made entirely of colored fabric.
But Saudi Arabia, a traditional society that places great emphasis on conformity, was not ready for Bishri.
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September:11:2008 - 17:56
It’s a pity that his picture is in Black and White but…http://www.photius.com/images/sa05_04g.jpg it’s of Princes dancing with their bat wing thobes and wonderful embroidery
September:12:2008 - 04:03
That’s one of the wonderful things in one of the countries neighbouring on KSA, i.e. Sultanate of Oman : men have a wide range of colours for their clothing (head gears as well as robes), it looks great even if it remains sober.
September:12:2008 - 08:46
I agree. There was always visual relief in visiting Oman.
September:13:2008 - 11:10
[...] Arabia comments on an article just published by The Washington Post about changes in thobe design: The Washington Post reports that the dour uniformity of the white Saudi thobe is facing [...]