Saudi Arabia recently allowed Vogue Arabia, the Arab edition of the renowned US-based fashion magazine, to hold a photoshoot of international supermodels within Al-Ula in the province of the holy city of Madina.
Al-Ula approximately 300 kilometers from the holy city of Madina, is home to Mada’in Saleh (city of Saleh)and its name is attributed to Prophet Saleh (AS).
Vogue Arabia released its campaign photoshoot called “‘24 hours in AlUla,’” for Mônot, a New York-based label, which featured catwalk stars such as Kate Moss, Mariacarla Boscono, Candice Swanepoel, Jourdan Dunn, Amber Valletta, Xiao Wen, and Alek Wek.
International models wore black and white thigh-slit flowy dresses while posing, dancing, and walking around the UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest open-air museum.
The first of its kind photoshoot campaign was organized and directed by Lebanese designer Eli Mizrahi.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the years has implemented a series of reforms for opening up the country to international tourism and modernization in order to boost the economy and not grow a dependency on its oil sector.
Saudi Arabia’s reforms fall under “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030” which include the decrease in the authority of the religious police, the lifting of restrictions in gender mixing, and the stripping of the requirement for women to wear the abaya or loose gown.
This controversial photoshoot can be seen as a part of the series of reforms by Saudi Arabia.