Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — On a starlit Jeddah night last week, businesswomen, co-workers, friends, family, admirers, and members of the media gathered around Manar Alrawi to congratulate her on her newly found success, and to catch a peak of Alrawi’s first ever fashion catalog featuring a stylish collection of abayas for 2013.



The name, Manar Alrawi, has now become a well known brand in the abaya fashion circles in the Kingdom, Gulf, and beyond.



In a short period of time, she managed to impose her brand amongst the top names in this field.



With her distinguished abayas, she attracted the attention of top international fashion houses such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Harvey Nichols, Fitaihi Centers and other names in the Gulf countries.



She distributes to these esteemed department stores across the Gulf, has established two boutiques in Jeddah, and is planning to open a new branch in Riyadh soon.



Success did not come easy. From the very beginning, this determined, young Saudi woman was aware of the challenges ahead because the abaya fashion industry is a very competitive one in Saudi Arabia, and there was already a plethora of some very well established names in the market.



The bright entrepreneur and media professional, Rania Salama, attended the tributary event, said: “To enter the abaya market, or any other market, you need to add something special and unique to be competitive and to reach the top.



“Alrawi was able to find out what was missing on the stage of abaya fashions and to fill this gap to deliver something innovative.



“She managed to combine beauty and a marking signature while maintaining quality. She was never the type of person to let obstacles stand in her way or stop her from fulfilling her ambitions. Her optimism, dedication, and hard work are what got her so far.”



The event to launch the 2013 collection was held at the business lounge on the 20th floor of the Rosewood Corniche because it is at this prestigious hotel that Alrawi had chosen to hold the photo shoot session for the catalog.



The beautiful abayas were adorned with picturesque scenes of the brilliant Red Sea and views from the elegant hotel as the background.



There is also a joint agreement that the VIP guests staying at the hotel will be provided with first class transportation directly to Alrawi’s abaya boutique in Stars Avenue shopping mall, and arrangements will be made so that they will be greeted there and catered to privately and exclusively.



“As one of the most luxurious hotels in Jeddah, we value beauty and elegance and we gain inspiration from the Saudi society.



“We were pleased to partner with Manar Alrawi and to host the photo shooting for her first ababya fashion catalog.



“She exhibits professionalism, excellent leadership qualities, and accepts only the best,” said Mohamed Karara, director of sales and marketing at Rosewood Corniche.



“We had to compete with ourselves and to strive to surpass ourselves to truly excel. It took countless sleepless nights, teamwork, hard work, and loyalty to our project to become an internationally recognized fashion house for distinguished and high quality abayas for Arab women,” said Alrawi.



“I have a passion for business itself and not just fashion designing. It may come as a surprise to you, but this is actually my third business venture.



“I started two previous businesses that did not materialize. I do not consider the unfruitful business experiences as failures but rather as lessons that taught me a lot and brought me several steps closer to success,” Alrawi told the Saudi Gazette.



Since establishing the brand name, the talented women who make up Alrawi’s team were keen on understanding the personality of the stylish Arab women who are in quest for excellence and are not willing to settle for anything less.



“We wanted to offer the highest quality, which is a must for stylish women in the Arab world, and this us an instant favorite amongst all.



“The abaya is the symbol and national attire for Saudi and Gulf women so it must be in sync with the other fashion accessories to compliment the grace of our sophisticated clients.



“Our goal is for every woman to wear an abaya that reflects her personality, and to customize her abaya to give her the exclusivity that she is looking for,” said one of Alrawi’s team members.



Alrawi did not overlook the equally important little, young women as she also has a line of adorable abayas for girls as well.