Jeddah: Women in Saudi Arabia have joined in the football fever that has sweeped the world with colourful abayas sporting the flags of the teams they support.
Saudi designer Rania Khoger created the unique line of abayas, the traditional loose-fitting garment worn by most Gulf women, to commemorate the FIFA World Cup taking place in South Africa.
“I’ve designed abayas for all of the teams that are participating in the World Cup. Although Saudi Arabia has not qualified, I’ve designed an abaya especially for them. Many of my costumers have told me that they are going to wear Saudi abayas,” she told Arab News.
Khoger's vibrant designs, which feature the colours of participating teams and logos of the tournament, have come under criticism by some Saudis and fellow designers who claim they will attract more attention.
But Khoger, who also teaches design at King Abdul Aziz University, says the abayas will allow Saudi women to enjoy the World Cup more.
“Designing these World Cup abayas is a very normal and welcome step. Most of my students at university have asked me to specially design them … I decided to design the abayas following requests from my students, children and their friends,” she said.
