Adnan Akbar: Fifty years after taking the first steps, his fashion house became one of the shining stars of the first Riyadh Fashion Week in Saudi Arabia
In the 1970s, at a time when fashion in Saudi Arabia was completely dependent on small tailoring shops or foreign stores, Saudi fashion designer Adnan Akbar had big dreams.
He was determined to see beyond the borders of his country and bring his art and vision to a global audience, to stand shoulder to shoulder with his colleagues in the high fashion community. Fifty years after taking the first steps, his fashion house is one of the shining stars of the first Riyadh Fashion Week in Saudi Arabia; An event we describe as “watching an unattainable dream come true.”
Adnan Akbar, The legendary designer along with his daughter Azwa, who is now the creative director of the fashion house, and his son Abdullah, who manages its commercial department, recounted the story of his achievements in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabi, recalling distant memories. He does.
Adnan says that his mother was the driving force behind everything: “My mother was uniquely attractive, and stunningly beautiful. She adds more beauty to whatever you wear.”
Adnan’s mother shaped his worldview. Adnan started learning embroidery at the age of 12 and often accompanied his mother on her visits to the Russian tailor shop in Mecca. These excursions increased his curiosity about the world of fashion.
Adnan Akbar, Adnan learned the term “fashion” during school: “The teacher turned to me and asked: “Are you making fashion?” It was the first time I heard this term, because I grew up in difficult times. “Even when I decided to pursue fashion design as a career, my father asked, ‘How do you want to work, do you think you’re in Paris?’, but I love it and that’s all that matters to me.”
His seven sons and daughters, who help preserve his legacy, have witnessed the flourishing of Adnan’s brand first hand. Azwa says that she learned her love for fashion from her father. She fondly remembers how her father would dress her in the clothes he designed and was eager to teach her the basics of sewing and embroidery at an early age.
Adnan Akbar And The Story Of Establishing The First Luxury Fashion House
Adnan Akbar, While the world was watching the movie stars, this passionate designer was monitoring the looks of the women of the Egyptian royal family and the works of the most prominent designers in Paris.
He succeeded in creating clothes that attracted the attention of the women of the royal families of the Persian Gulf countries and the wives of high-ranking Arab officials; And yet, Adnan does not consider this success very impressive and admits: “I was never completely satisfied with my work and I always felt that I should go further.”
“I was in Paris and in front of the Shiloh Palace I came across the preparations for this fashion show that was going to be held,” he says, recalling the memory of a world show he attended in the 80s. He hosted 200 thousand guests. I tried hard to be there. …”
Adnan Akbar, He worked hard to create the most stylish examples possible to represent Saudi Arabia.
Although he had previously held several fashion shows in Italy, Paris was the first time that his works were exhibited in front of a global audience and critics. Fortunately, he received a warm welcome from the press and the news of his participation in this event became the headlines of Arab and international news agencies.
Adnan Akbar, In the February 1988 issue of France’s Harper’s Bazaar, journalist Elizabeth Kaufman wrote an article about the event: “During the latest international fashion festival, audiences were left speechless by what they saw in the Saudi Arabia showcase… Adnan Akbar’s creative designs, like masterpieces of art.
Unique, embellished with jewels and pearls, inspired by the dunes in the wind of the desert, sewn using the most expensive fabrics in the world, they took pride in their first trial in Paris, the capital of fashion and elegance. “His designs were the best ambassadors for the art of living that transcended the boundaries of elegance and sophistication.”
Adnan Akbar, But even with the invitation of Paris to Adnan’s return, his main wish was to develop the fashion industry and improve its standards at the local level; And it is still the same. After positive press feedback, he contacted former Dior director Jacques Rouet and invited him to Jeddah to professionally evaluate his work.
Adnan says: “Everyone said that I am the best, but I didn’t see it that way; Until Jacques Roux checked my designs when he visited my headquarters and said, “You’re fantastic.”
During his illustrious career, Adnan has met some of the world’s most famous people and seen his pieces shine on royal families and stars such as Egyptian singer Sherihan. Even Princess Diana had one of his works.
Adnan Akbar, Adnan Akbar’s advice to young designers is the same as he warns his children: “Try hard and don’t settle for anything ordinary.”
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