Saudi Designer Tima Abid On Her Biggest Passions And Inspiring The Next Generation of KSA Creative
Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Arabic Editor Khulood Ahmed speaks with the Saudi designer at the 9 by Lift gallery in Riyadh
Tima Abid is one of the most renowned haute couture designers in the Kingdom. While many know her as a leading designer in the industry, the Saudi Arabia creative is also a writer, poet, and interior designer. After a successful 20-year career in the fashion world, Tima discusses her next steps in an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Arabic editor Khulood Ahmed at the 9 by Lift gallery in Riyadh.
Tima arrived at her interview wearing a beautiful thobe from her upcoming Ramadan capsule collection. While we couldn’t take our eyes off the stunning new ensemble, Tima began to share her continuous support to the female designers that are taking part in the 9 by Lift pop-up held in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar Saudi. Additionally, the creative sheds light on her journey so far in the industry, she says, “I noticed yesterday that it has been 20 years since I had my start in the world of fashion. I was shocked at the passing of all this time when one of my team members pointed it out. It may be because of the way I delve into my work and draw on my imagination, or more accurately, the way I have become so immersed in my work that it has become part of who I am. My journey has been both long and short, and in spite of all the difficulties I faced, it has been a joyful one.”
At Paris Fashion Week, Tima unveiled her latest range that caused quite the storm online. She was dubbed as the ‘Saudi Chanel’ by various foreign media outlets. Tima comments, “Who would not aspire to become Chanel? She is the pride of every French person and cannot be overlooked. But I am Tima, a daughter of this nation that is now going through a shift that has caught the eyes of the entire world, an authentic and unique shift, one that is not artificialised. It is our own ideology and experience, and we should be the ones to lead it.”
At her Expo 2020 fashion show that took place in the Saudi Arabian pavilion, Tima revealed designs that represented Saudi heritage (Sufrat Saud). The timeless pieces truly made a statement on the runway and led to her winning the Fashion TV award. And that’s not all; she has styled an array of A-listers like Farhana Bodi, Victoria Lopyreva, Assala, and many others, who have attended various prestigious events wearing the designer’s haute couture ensembles.
While Tima has been known to make waves in the fashion world, the creative has taken on the mission of highlighting Saudi heritage, especially in the world of fashion. She mentions, “Saudi Arabia has a rich and diverse heritage, which offers every designer immense space to create while reflecting our rich heritage and its deep roots at the same time.” She adds, “I will carry the mountains, planes, valleys, and beaches of this nation to put them on preview for the world.”
Tima chose to enter a unique and challenging path in fashion design, haute couture. She says, “I am grateful for this difficult path, even though it has various obstacles and challenges; it is similar to drawing a map that may ease the journey for those to come.” After years’ worth of innovation and remarkable achievements, the creative still recalls her incidental beginnings, when designing fashion in Saudi Arabia was nothing more than a dream. She said, “I have loved fashion since I was a child and always added my own touches to what I wore, despite my modest childhood. Then, one day, a friend asked me to design her sister’s wedding dress, but I did not know the names of fabrics back then. All I had was my passion and imagination, which coincidentally drew me into the world of fashion.”That wedding dress was what opened the door for her into the fashion industry.
After 20 years of being in the field, I asked Tima Abid about her dream, to which she answered,“For my designs to reach every woman’s closet.”
A key takeaway from speaking with lovely designer is her love for what she does and her passion for individuality in the field. From her attention to detail to her dedication to creating collections, there’s no doubt why Tima is known as one of the most successful and loved designers. In addition, her hard work has had a direct impact on those around her, most of all, her children. She mentioned how her daughter, Sultana graduated from the faculty of fashion design in London, and Sultana’s sister, Loulwa, is majoring in fashion design at the moment. We can perhaps expect a legacy of Tima Abid couture in the future.
The fashion industry wasn’t where it was today when Tima decided to enter into this path. At that time, she didn’t have a role model to follow. But besides all of those difficulties, Tima Abid is an innovative designer and successful businesswoman today, who is inspiring a generation of young female fashion enthusiasts.
Lastly, Tima mentions, “I am happy with my work. I throw myself into my work and do not feel pressure because passion is what drives me to work every day.” Passion is key for Tima and is the secret behind her continuity for 20 years in this industry. When I asked her to give a piece of advice to young designers, which would encapsulate the secret of her success, she said, “If you are not passionate about your work, you are a burden to this field, but may be an addition to another. Passion is what drives you to keep going and without it, you cannot go on.”
Lead image from Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s March 2021 issue.