Eman Joharjy, Saudi Arabian Fashion Designer Has Created ‘Sporty Abayas’ for Women
In natural, breathable fabrics and the colours of her customers’ favourite soccer teams, Joharjy’s abayas make it easier for Saudi women to exercise.
Recently, Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving ended and last September women were allowed into a sports stadium for the first. Saudi Arabia is moving towards adapting progressive measures and are bringing in immense changes for women. Now, a fashion designer claims that demand for her fitness-friendly abayas have never been stronger. Jeddah-based Eman Joharjy made her first sports abaya all the way back in 2007. She began making them for friends and selling what she dubbed the ‘sporty abaya’.
Joharjy just wanted to be able to run, which a traditional abaya’s loose hem made it difficult. In natural, breathable fabrics and the colours of her customers’ favourite soccer teams, Joharjy’s abayas make it easier for Saudi women to exercise. Colourful abayas are also designed for different activities like the driving abaya, which features a hoodie, tight elbows to prevent the sleeves from catching on the steering wheel and shorter lengths to make switching pedals easier.
Sporty Abaya on the Go
Most importantly, Joharjy’s designer sporty abayas have no trace of black. As reported in Hindustan Times, she says, “They reflect freedom and the willingness to embrace life and make it easy for modern woman. Besides, women love colour.” She is optimistic that Saudi Arabia’s strict social rules will ease further. But she still believes that many women will continue to wear abaya in one form or another.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2018 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).