Saudi woman designs abayas for freer lifestyles

SUMMARY

When Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving ended on Sunday, fashion designer Eman Joharjy and her friends drove to Jeddah's seafront where they exchanged their car for bicycles. The colourful, embroidered jumpsuit abayas they donned stood out among the sea of women wearing similar loose-fitting full-length robes but in the traditional black. Yet no one stopped them. "In 2007, frustrated by a lack of abayas made for running or cycling, Joharjy designed one for herself. She began making them for friends and selling what she dubbed the "sporty abaya". For her, the robe is like the Indian sari, a symbol of cultural heritage rather than religion. Colourful racks display designs 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. Most importantly for Joharjy, there is no trace of black. She is optimistic that Saudi Arabia's strict social rules will ease further.

By ReutersJun 30, 2018 12:44:54 AM IST (Updated)

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer sits during an interview with Reuters journalists at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer smiles as she shows one of her creations at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer, in one of her own creations reacts as she is about to drive to Jeddah's Corniche to cycle, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

An employee of Eman Joharjy tries on one of Eman's creations at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

A fashion designer, Eman Joharjy, arrives with her friends to cycle along Jeddah's Corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy (L), a fashion designer cycles with her friends as they wear her creations along Jeddah's Corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

A woman cycles as she wears one of Eman Joharjy's creations along Jeddah's corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer in one of her own creations walks with her bicycle along Jeddah's Corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

A woman cycles as she wears Eman Joharjy's creation along Jaddah's Corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy, a fashion designer in one of her own creations, cycles along Jaddah's Corniche, Saudi Arabia June 24, 2018. Picture taken June 24, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Eman Joharjy (L), a fashion designer smiles while standing with her employee as she tries on one of her creations at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

An employee of Eman Joharjy tries on the creations at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

An employee (L) of Eman Joharjy (R) looks on a designer who tries on a creation at her shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 23, 2018. Picture taken June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra