Taraweeh prayers offered across Saudi Arabia as Kingdom begins Ramadan

RIYADH/DAMMAM: Fashion designers and enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia are championing modest Ramadan-themed collections that aim to reflect the spirituality of the holy month.

Sarah Albedair, Saudi designer and founder of Voula Collection, told Arab News that her Ramadan collection “combines modesty, elegance and cultural significance.”

“Modest clothing that can be worn year-round, including during Ramadan, aligns well with the spirit of practicality and simplicity which aligns with affordable cost … Over the past decade, there has been a notable shift in the fashion world as modest fashion moves from niche to mainstream, and Ramadan plays a pivotal role in this evolution,” she said.

Albedair’s collection blends Saudi and Greek symbols in her colorful and expressive designs.

Voula Collection’s abayas and dresses use a range of materials and fabrics, mostly sourced from Europe, including linen, crape, organza, denim, poplin and cotton.

Fashion-lover Zainab Mamdooh predicts that the fashion trend this Ramadan will include winter heavy fabrics and darker colors.

Mamdooh prefers to wear jalabiyas, a flowy and modest dress worn by women from Middle Eastern countries, styled with statement gold jewelry.

“During the holy month, I love wearing jalabiyas made from linen and velvet, especially those embroidered in gold,” she said.

“I find that traditional adds a touch of elegance and reflects cultural authenticity ... I also love pairing my jalabiyas with jewelry, incorporating gold and diamond pieces to complete my look.”

Deciding to add a fresh touch to her wardrobe, Mamdooh purchased a jalabiya from Souq Manama, a market located in Bahrain.

“I wanted to break the traditional association of jalabiyas with gold embroidery only, so I opted for silver detailing to showcase a different, yet equally elegant aesthetic.”

Saudi designer Farah Hammad has launched her latest Ramadan drop, “The Botanical Collection,” inspired by the beauty of nature and the fluid elegance of marble. The pieces merge organic floral patterns with structured artistry.

“The collection reflects the harmony between organic forms and structured artistry,” Hammad told Arab News. “It’s about celebrating femininity, strength and the beauty of contrast — delicate yet bold, soft, yet powerful.”

Featuring about 40 curated pieces, the collection is designed for versatility. The color palette is drawn from nature, incorporating earthy tones, deep blues and greens, muted pastels and rich jewel hues.

“The cuts are flowy yet tailored, incorporating layering and intricate embellishments that enhance the botanical and marble-inspired aesthetic,” she said.

“What makes ‘The Botanical Collection’ even more special is that I sourced the fabric locally this time,” Hammad said. “It was important for me to support locals and ensure the materials reflect the authenticity and richness of the collection’s inspiration.”

The collection was designed to align with Ramadan, a time of renewal and reflection. “Ramadan is one of my favorite months,” she said. “It’s about growth, transformation and beauty in every stage. The collection embodies that spirit, embracing contrast and balance, just like Ramadan itself.”

The Botanical Collection is available online and at Hammad’s studio. At the end of February, select pieces will also be showcased at Homegrown Market in Hay Jameel in Jeddah, her hometown, as a limited-edition release.

A portion of proceeds from the collection will also be donated to various charities.

Nour Al-Dhahri’s Ramadan 2025 collection is an ode to the spiritual serenity and luminous beauty of Ramadan days and nights.

Al-Dhahri told Arab News: “Although I have warm feelings for all of my collections, Ramadan always has a more intimate quality. Stories, tradition and passion are at the heart of this collection, not merely the clothes.

“To me, it’s a celebration of the women who are proud of their ancestry and who aren’t afraid to embrace modern elegance.

“During this sacred month, every aspect, from the hand-embroidered details to the meticulously selected materials, was created with the purpose of empowering women to feel beautiful and certain.”

The collection of kaftans boasts a soft pastel and neutral tone palette.

Pieces were crafted from luxury fabrics, including pure linen, tulle, French crepe, Indian linen, chiffon and organza.

“In keeping with the spiritual quest of the holy month, the embroidery stands for tradition while the contemporary cuts and pastel colors provide a feeling of levity and rebirth.

“The enduring allure of Ramadan is celebrated in each item through the incorporation of modern elegance,” she said.

The Noor Eclipse piece is a sophisticated tulle design with delicate sequin shoulder and asymmetrical neckline embellishments.

Sundown Veil combines organza and chiffon, mirroring the warm hues of a Ramadan sunset, while the Gilded Aura is a wearable symbol of nature’s beauty with its hand-embroidered leaf motifs.

“It is our responsibility as a Saudi label to pay homage to our heritage via clothing, making items that speak to the women of the Middle East and beyond ... to keep inventing while maintaining the spirit of the kaftan, which is an essential component of Ramadan apparel,” Al-Dhahri said.

Since Ramadan generally encourages a more meaningful lifestyle, AMUSED is a platform that promotes and sells previously owned, authenticated accessory items in Saudi Arabia. Mindful that fashion is the second-largest polluting industry in the world, it aims to create a more circular economy to break away from the make-use-dispose model that has dominated fashion culture.

Sara Teymoor, CEO and cofounder of AMUSED, told Arab News: “Ramadan is a time of reflection, connection, and celebration — one of our busiest shopping seasons, with buyers often purchasing higher value and multiple pieces.

“The right accessories elevate every occasion, from elegant iftar gatherings to intimate late-night suhoor outings.

“Mindfulness, generosity, and sustainability define Ramadan — values at the core of AMUSED’s mission.”

Items from the platform have been sported by several online personalities, including the Saudi chef and travel content creator Nihal Felemban, fashion and travel influencer Sausan AlKadi, and style and beauty influencer Asma AlMalki.

Customer experience executive, Maryam Yusuf, shared some of AMUSED’s most requested pieces year after year for their timelessness: the Chanel Classic Flap Small is a daytime essential for their buyers for its compact and elegant design, perfect for running errands during the day.

A discontinued yet sought-after gem, particularly in metallic versions that remain a collector’s favorite, is the Diorama, while the Hermes Picotin 18 seems to be a popular mini tote for cozy evenings out.

To add to the festive spirit of the month, the platform is sharing exclusive styling tips to elevate the Ramadan wardrobe, special recipes from their team, live Instagram drops featuring next-day shipping finds, guest interviews, fashion trends, and more, on their blog.