The sartorial event made history – and the clothes certainly lived up to the momentous occasion.

It kicked off fashionably late, being held a few weeks after its scheduled date back in late March.

But Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Arab Fashion Week was certainly worth waiting for.

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The kingdom welcomed big-name designers, models and the fashion industry’s movers and shakers last week, as the event officially launched on April 12.

While the women-only shows, held in Riyadh’s Ritz Carlton Hotel, weren’t open to photographers, there are some images available that give a sneak peek of what paraded down the catwalk.

Headlining the event were Roberto Cavalli and Jean Paul Gaultier, the latter of which showcased a collection rich in fluid femininity and avant-garde silhouettes.

Renowned designer @jpgaultierofficial Jean Paul Gaultier creations added a touch of French chic as he showed his latest collection during the Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh presented by Huawei. It is the first fashion show for Jean Paul Gaultier outside of Paris, In Riyadh. ‎لمسة فرنسية مميزة اضاءت منصة أسبوع الموضة العربي في الرياض من هواوي من خلال مجموعة المصمم الشهير جان بول غوتييه الذي يعرض مجموعته لأول مرة في تاريخه في مدينة خارج باريس وهذه المدينة هي الرياض #jeanpaulgaultier #AFWHuaweiKSA #Arabfashionweekriyadh #BMWKSA #Arabfashionweek #RitzCarlton #Riyadh #RCMemories #AHKGroup #jamillapaulhairartist #wellaamea #wellaproksa #wellahair #Richardmille #RichardMilleRiyadh #comfortperfumesdeluxe #makeupforevermea #lifeisastage #lazurde_fashion #lazurde #arabfashioncouncil #jacobabrian #imanartist @makeupforevermea @wellaproksa @ahk.group @richardmilleofficial @richardmillemiddleeast @bmw @huaweimobileksa @lazurde @comfortarabia #اسبوع_الموضة_العربي #مجلس_الازياء_العربي #fashion #فشن #ksa

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It was the first show for the legendary French designer held outside of Paris, Arab Fashion Week later revealed.

Saudi Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al-Saud, honorary president of the Riyadh branch of Arab Fashion Week, said ahead of the event that fashion has always been important in the kingdom.

“It has not been something that wasn’t on the table or in the picture… Our fashion council is trying to bring the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia to a whole new level, a whole new industry,” she told The National.

arab fashion week

HH Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, Layla Issa Abuzaid and Jacob Abrian.

The moment was connected to larger changes in the Kingdom, she said.

“This historical movement is not exclusive to Saudi Arabia, but to the whole world. Fashion is a universal language that the whole world speaks,” Princess Noura added to Arab News

We completely agree – and to celebrate, we’ve rounded up some of the best looks seen on the Riyadh catwalk over the weekend…

Arwa Al Banawi 

Saudi designer @arwaalbanawi Arwa Al Banawi dazzled the audience with her barefoot models and ultra urban looks during the Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh presented by Huawei. ‎مجموعة مميزة بكل المقاييس قدمتها المصممة السعودية أروى البناوي في أسبوع الموضة العربي في الرياض من هواوي حيث مشت العارضات حافيات الأقدام وتميزن باطلالات لفتت الحضور بحداثتها #AFWHuaweiKSA #Arabfashionweekriyadh #BMWKSA #Arabfashionweek #RitzCarlton #Riyadh #RCMemories #AHKGroup #jamillapaulhairartist #wellaamea #wellaproksa #wellahair #Richardmille #RichardMilleRiyadh #comfortperfumesdeluxe #makeupforevermea #lifeisastage #lazurde_fashion #lazurde #arabfashioncouncil #jacobabrian #imanartist @makeupforevermea @wellaproksa @ahk.group @richardmilleofficial @bmw @huaweimobileksa @lazurde @comfortarabia #اسبوع_الموضة_العربي #مجلس_الازياء_العربي

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Saudi’s own womenswear designer is famed for her cutting-edge suiting, and she certainly delivered with her collection of urban separates. We particularly adore her use of feather-light fringing against breezy silks.

We’re also feeling this slouchy jacquard co-ord that we think we might have to add to our workwear wardrobe.

Bibisara 

Regal velvet and dreamy organza. Those were the main inspirations in the latest collection by fashion label Bibisara @bibisara_boutique from Kazakhstan as seen during the Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh presented by Huawei. The first fashion week in the history of #KSA . ‎فخامة المخمل وروعة الاورغانزا كانتا عنوان المجموعة التي قدمتها دار الأزياء الكازاخستانية بيبيسارا في أسبوع الموضة العربي في الرياض من هواوي والذي يقام لأول مرة في المملكة العربية السعودية #AFWHuaweiKSA #Arabfashionweekriyadh #BMWKSA #Arabfashionweek #RitzCarlton #Riyadh #RCMemories #AHKGroup #jamillapaulhairartist #wellaamea #wellaproksa #wellahair #Richardmille #RichardMilleRiyadh #comfortperfumesdeluxe #makeupforevermea #lifeisastage #lazurde_fashion #lazurde #arabfashioncouncil #jacobabrian #imanartist @makeupforevermea @wellaproksa @ahk.group @richardmilleofficial @bmw @huaweimobileksa @lazurde @comfortarabia #اسبوع_الموضة_العربي #مجلس_الازياء_العربي

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The label founded by Kazakhstan’s Asem Altynbekova sent out a line clad in rich velvets and ornate embroidery, such as this romantic Gothic-inspired number.

Tony Ward 

@tonywardcouture Tony Ward became the first designer to show his collection in the first Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh as he inaugurated the shows on the first day with a stunning couture creations for FW 2018. ‎اصبح طوني ورد مصمم الازياء الاول الذي يعرض أزياءه المميزة من مجموعة كوتور خريف وشتاء 2018 حين افتتح أسبوع الموضة العربي في الرياض. وهو أول أسبوع للموضة في المملكة العربية السعودية #AFWHuaweiKSA #Arabfashionweekriyadh #BMWKSA #Arabfashionweek #RitzCarlton #Riyadh #RCMemories #AHKGroup #jamillapaulhairartist #wellaamea #wellaproksa #wellahair #Richardmille #RichardMilleRiyadh #comfortperfumesdeluxe #makeupforevermea #lifeisastage #lazurde_fashion #lazurde #arabfashioncouncil #imanartist @makeupforevermea @wellaproksa @ahk.group @richardmilleofficial @bmw @huaweimobileksa @lazurde @comfortarabia #اسبوع_الموضة_العربي #مجلس_الازياء_العربي

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The Lebanese designer is nicknamed “the Architect of Detail”, and you can see why in this elegant couture gown, speckled with measured embellishments and a cascade of ruffles.

Yanina Couture

The Russian label (which has dressed celebrities including Kate Hudson and Gigi Hadid) further proved why it is so beloved by the A-list with its structured yet fairytale-worthy dresses.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Aside from the scarlet gown above, the French designer also sent out mesmerising prints and diaphanous silhouettes.

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Naja Saade

Glamour and beauty had a new meaning with the latest couture collection by Lebanese designer Naja Saade @najasaadecouture during the Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh presented by Huawei. ‎الأنوثة الراقية كانت عنوان المجموعة التي تألق بها المصمم اللبناني نجا سعادة في عرض مجموعة الكوتور خلال اسبوع الموضة العربي في الرياض من هواوي #AFWHuaweiKSA #Arabfashionweekriyadh #BMWKSA #Arabfashionweek #RitzCarlton #Riyadh #RCMemories #AHKGroup #jamillapaulhairartist #wellaamea #wellaproksa #wellahair #Richardmille #RichardMilleRiyadh #comfortperfumesdeluxe #makeupforevermea #lifeisastage #lazurde_fashion #lazurde #arabfashioncouncil #jacobabrian #imanartist @makeupforevermea @wellaproksa @ahk.group @richardmilleofficial @richardmillemiddleeast @bmw @huaweimobileksa @lazurde @comfortarabia #اسبوع_الموضة_العربي #مجلس_الازياء_العربي #fashion #فشن #ksa

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An ultra-sweet palette and frothy fabrics created an elegantly feminine finish at the Lebanese designer’s show.