Riyadh’s Qormuz: Where Saudi Tradition Meets Contemporary Style
In a captivating interview on Arab News’ “The Mayman Show,” Abdulrahman Al-Abed, the founder of fashion brand Qormuz, revealed the brand’s unique approach to combining traditional Saudi identity with modern designs. Qormuz is not just a fashion house, according to Al-Abed, but a lifestyle brand that aims to redefine the fashion landscape in Saudi Arabia.
By infusing Saudi culture with modernity, Qormuz creates a wide range of products, from cups to jackets, that embody a new identity for its customers.
Al-Abed explained, “Qormuz, it’s like, not a fashion house. I would only be more specific about how we design our lifestyle. So, we mainly do fashion — it’s a part of our status. But we also do lifestyle design.”
The brand’s mission is to create designs that resonate with the modern Kingdom by blending the old with the new.
“We love to bring and relive the culture again — to take this culture to the future with the next generation. We do our design, sometimes a cup, a T-shirt, a prayer bead, a jacket. Usually, we use our touch that the tradition touches.”
As a history enthusiast, Al-Abed gained international recognition for designing an embroidered jubba for Saudi actor Mohamed Al-Shehri, which made waves at the Venice International Film Festival red carpet. This marked the first time an actor wore customary Arab attire at the prestigious event.
Speaking on the significance of the jubba, Al-Abed shared his pride in seeing traditional Saudi garments celebrated globally, showcasing a harmonious blend of heritage and style.
The jubba’s viral success, with over 40 million views worldwide, sparked conversations about Saudi culture and fashion. Al-Abed seized the opportunity to educate the public on the cultural significance of the attire.
Reflecting on the jubba’s impact, he said, “The Jubba is one of our most successful stories that I feel proud of and feel proud to bring this piece to life again, you know?”
Al-Abed emphasized the power of fashion to influence and showcase heritage, citing the jubba’s presence at the Venice International Film Festival as an example of Saudi cultural influence on a global stage.
“The Kingdom can influence other cultures through its a distinct cultural look,” he said.
In addition to his work with the jubba, Al-Abed also gained recognition for designing DJ Khaled’s apparel during MDLBEAST Soundstorm in AlUla, further cementing Qormuz’s position as a trailblazer in merging tradition with contemporary fashion.