Founding Day 2025: Celebrating Saudi Female Entrepreneurs
This Founding Day, we honor the trailblazing women shaping Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial landscape. Through inspiring stories of passion, resilience, and innovation, we spotlight the female founders who are redefining success and championing change
Dania Shinkar
Dania founded her eponymous handbag brand in 2020, which spotlights flawless craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovative design, with unique silhouettes and glamorous finishes.
What sparked your passion for design?
I would spend hours as a child watching my mother dress up for special occasions. I was fascinated by how she paired her accessories and curated every detail of her look. This early exposure to fashion fuelled my curiosity and eventually led me to study textile design for my BA at the London College of Fashion, with the initial intention of launching a ready-to-wear label.
However, after extensive research and a deeper understanding of the Saudi market, I realized that the apparel market was oversaturated. In contrast, there weren’t any Saudi brands specializing exclusively in handbags. Recognising this gap in the market, I felt compelled to fill it and be one of the first Saudi designers to focus on luxury accessories.
Therefore, after completing my Masters in fashion entrepreneurship and innovation, I decided to study bag design also at London College of Fashion, and that is when I developed a passion for craft and leather, and found my true calling.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends?
By constantly observing the industry whether it’s through runway shows, street style, or cultural movements. However, while I stay informed, I don’t follow trends blindly. My approach is to take elements that resonate with my brand’s DNA and re-interpret them in my own way.
For example, I’ve re-imagined classic silhouettes like the 90s baguette and hobo bag with my own unconventional twist, keeping them relevant but distinct. Colour trends also inspire me, but I use them in a way that feels authentic to my aesthetic. Ultimately, my goal is to create statement pieces that feel fresh and exciting but aren’t dictated by fleeting trends – they should stand out and remain relevant beyond seasons.
Can you tell us about your design process, from concept to production?
I immerse myself in inspiring visuals, exploring art, architecture, and vintage designs to spark ideas. Once I have a concept, I begin sketching, developing the designs, refining the shape, details, and functionality. From there, I create a 3D paper model to figure out proportions and scale, adjusting dimensions to ensure the design is both aesthetically what I want as well as practical.
Then we move on to creating an actual prototype which usually involves multiple iterations to perfect the construction until the bag meets my exact standards and vision.
Once the final prototype is approved, we begin sourcing the leather and production begins. We also produce our own custom hardware, ensuring that every detail is exclusive to our brand and complements the bag’s unique design. This level of customisation allows us to maintain our distinct aesthetic and deliver a truly one-of-a-kind product.
How do you think your brand represents Saudi Arabian culture and style?
I love drawing inspiration from Saudi and translating them into my designs in a modern and artistic way. For example, the Mini Dana – Red Sea Embroidery bag is inspired by the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea, while the Dana – Jeddah Al Balad bag pays homage to the historic architecture and charm of Jeddah’s Al Balad district.
Saudi fashion is evolving, embracing both tradition and innovation, and my brand reflects that shift. While the craftsmanship is rooted in Italian luxury, the essence of my designs carries a distinct Saudi identity – whether through colour palettes, embroidery, or storytelling. I aim to create pieces that resonate with both local and global audiences, celebrating Saudi creativity for an international stage.
What’s next for your brand, and how do you plan to expand your reach in the fashion industry?
We’ve just launched our first fashion jewellery collection – earrings inspired by our signature Mila bag’s crystal-embellished buckle. This is an exciting new direction for the brand, and we’re eager to see how the market responds. If it resonates well with our customers, we hope to continue expanding in this category, exploring more fashion jewellery pieces that complement our handbags and overall aesthetic. Our focus remains on creating unique statement designs, and we’re always looking for ways to evolve while staying true to our brand DNA.
Reem Bawazeer
Reem Bawazeer is looking to make her mark on Saudi’s hospitality landscape, one café at a time. Founder of Rimbo’s Bakery and Pinch, Jeddah, she injects creativity into each menu, with plenty of imaginative treats and tastes.
What inspired you to open a café bakery, and how do you think your business contributes to the Saudi Arabian food scene?
With Rimbo’s I wanted to create a brand that brought forward classic items using premium ingredients – it’s built on nostalgia and brings out the inner child in each of our customers, so you’re immediately transported to a happy place. Then with Pinch, we looked at building a brand that was more mature and sophisticated, and had a lot of more flavour-forward items as well as creating a cosy atmosphere where people can come and enjoy an escape from the busy-ness of day to day life.
Can you share a story about a popular item on your menu and how it came to be?
We have an item on Rimbo’s menu called ‘chocolate nostalgia’, and it’s basically a chocolate pudding dish my mum (and probably lots of other mums as well) made for us growing up, it’s layers of rich chocolate custard between butter biscuits, but when I wanted to add it to the menu I reworked the recipe slightly and then added a surprise layer of chocolate coated popping candy on top, so everyone’s first reaction is always a bit of surprise, I love it.
How do you source ingredients and suppliers to ensure the highest quality products for your customers?
I have a simple belief when it comes to ingredients, if it’s something I don’t buy for my home then it’s definitely not used in our products. I make sure that we use great quality ingredients in all our products and always reach out to suppliers looking for new products and brands.
How do you balance the creative and business aspects of running a café bakery?
I try to set purely creative days in my week where I let myself explore and experiment but naturally both aspects will always be in the back of your mind. I think once you stop resisting separating the two they actually end up being harmonious together.
What role do you think cafés and bakeries play in bringing communities together in Saudi Arabia?
I think they act as a third space where people can meet up casually and not constantly be behind a screen or a phone and actually engaging with others. I think it’s exciting that there are so many new places to explore and gives people more reasons to go out and try them.
Fashion often serves as a form of storytelling. How do you see it as a way to honour meaningful relationships and express personal narratives?
Reem’s all-white ensemble was a heartfelt tribute to her friend, designer Samah Khashoggi. As this was her first magazine feature, she wanted her look to embody simplicity, purity, and a touch of glamour. Her choice of Noudar jewelry, adorned with pearls and diamonds, added an elegant touch, perfectly complementing her love for fine jewellery. Beyond aesthetics, Reem saw this outfit as a way to celebrate and support her talented friend.
Rawan Zahran
Rawan Zahran’s journey into the wellness industry started with her own personal transformation. Experiencing first-hand how committing to a fitness plan and healthy habits changed her life, she was inspired to create Sweat Army, a gym that helps women feel strong and empowered in their own fitness journeys.
What inspired you to open a gym, and how do you aim to empower women through fitness?
It started with my own personal journey, when I committed to a fitness plan & healthy habits I was able to transform myself, and the feeling I got from this transformation made me want to open a gym and help every woman feel strong and amazing.
How do you think the fitness industry has evolved in Saudi Arabia, and what role do you see your gym playing in this growth?
Fitness is evolving fast in Saudi, it’s amazing to see and more opportunities for women to participate in competitive sports, I see my gym playing a role by giving these women a place to train for their favourite sport and feel empowered, supported through their journey.
Can you share a success story of a client who has achieved their fitness goals through your gym?
A great success story is that five of our fittest clients just completed a HYROX race one of the toughest races out there with amazing numbers, it was such a big challenge for them and a big milestone in their fitness journey.
How do you balance running a business with your own fitness goals and wellness routine?
It’s hard to balance sometimes I neglect my own training, but I realized with enough planning and organizing it is double.
What advice would you give to young Saudi women who aspire to open their own fitness businesses?
It has to come from passion, and training has to be from the heart, it’s a big responsibility and you have to be up for it, and never stop learning it’s an ongoing learning experience. Believe in yourself and if you our truly passionate about it go for it.
Was there a particular moment during the shoot when you truly embraced this elegant side of yourself?
Widely recognized for her love of gym wear, Rawan took this opportunity to showcase a softer, more feminine side of herself. Dressed in a beautifully embroidered white outfit, she revealed a rarely seen elegance—one that exuded grace, refinement, and sophistication. Stepping away from her usual style, this experience allowed her to embrace and express a new facet of her personality.
Photographer: Rawan Al-Turki. Stylist: Esra Kurdi. Jewellery: Al Fardan Jewellery and Noudar Jewels. Production Manager: Abdullah Alatas. Production: Saudi Style Council
Imagery supplied