Having spent a large portion of her childhood growing up in Switzerland, Saudi Arabian native, Arwa Al-Banawi has been on our radar since day one. Having followed her journey and development with passion, her latest collection is just another example of why Arwa has firmly found a place in our hearts. Having subtly captured the essence of Khaleeji menswear and reimagined the colors and textures into a fluid women’s collection. It was pretty hard to select my favorite pieces when there are so many to choose from.
We spoke to Arwa to find out about the inspiration behind his latest Autumn/Winter collection:
What is the latest collection called?
Al Bidaya – Arabic for “the beginning”
How would you describe the collection?
A symbol of a rich heritage and great achievements.
What was the inspiration behind this collection?
It was inspired by the history and heritage of the gulf; particularly my hometown Saudi. It is shown in the traditional garments I was inspired by and added a modern to twist to it. It has Arabic calligraphy, embroidery of scenes from the Arabian desert. The silhouettes are masculine and contemporary, while the colors are inspired by the desert.
Which key materials are used in your AW collection?
Traditional “bisht” or cloak in golden brown, linen pants and scarves embroidered with Arabic calligraphy from the iconic Kaaba, blazers with golden hand embroidery and velvet lapels.
For more information, visit www.arwaalbanawi.com
