Waad Aloqaili: From Riyadh Fashion Week to the Cannes Red Carpet

When Waad Aloqaili creates a gown, the story begins long before the first fabric is cut. Her designs explore feminine strength, personal transformation, and Saudi cultural identity through sculptural forms and delicate handwork. What emerges is couture that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably contemporary. In recent years, her creations have travelled from the runways of Riyadh Fashion Week to the red carpets of Cannes. International figures including Katy Perry and Sara Sampaio have worn her work, bringing Saudi craftsmanship to a global audience.

Behind the growing recognition is a fashion house established in 2019 by two Saudi sisters, united by the belief that luxury should carry meaning beyond appearance.

The Woman Behind Waad Aloqaili Couture

Waad Aloqaili developed an interest in fashion design from a young age. What began as a creative passion gradually became a means of expressing personal experiences, cultural values, and the changing identity of Saudi women. Her approach to fashion draws from the relationship between tradition and transformation. Growing up in a Saudi society shaped by both established customs and rapid development has influenced how she understands femininity, elegance, and self-expression.

Aloqaili has described Saudi identity as a foundation of her design thinking rather than a decorative reference. Her work reflects the emotional and cultural experiences that shape women across generations.

Building a Saudi Couture House With Her Sister

In 2019, Waad founded her namesake fashion house alongside her sister, Ahlam Aloqaili. The two brought complementary strengths to the business, creating a partnership rooted in shared values and a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. Waad leads the creative direction, developing the concepts and artistic language behind each collection. Ahlam contributes to the house's management and technical design, helping translate creative ideas into finished couture.

The brand releases collections that celebrate female confidence and individuality. Rather than following seasonal trends alone, the sisters place artistic storytelling and carefully developed silhouettes at the centre of their work. This approach has helped establish Waad Aloqaili Couture as a recognizable name within Saudi Arabia's expanding luxury fashion sector.

The Signature Aesthetic: Sculptural Elegance and Saudi Lavender

Waad Aloqaili's designs are defined by a balance between architectural structure and fluid movement. Fitted bodices, carefully constructed draping, intricate embroidery, and expressive proportions create silhouettes that combine strength with softness. One of the house's most recognizable design elements is lavender. The colour carries special meaning in Saudi culture and is associated with the Kingdom's natural landscapes and official ceremonial identity. For Aloqaili, it represents renewal, growth, and feminine elegance.

Lavender appears throughout the brand's collections as a recurring expression of Saudi identity. Combined with delicate fabrics and sculptural techniques, it creates a visual language that feels contemporary without losing its cultural roots.

From Veil of Renewal to Yamal: Collections That Tell Stories

Two collections demonstrate the evolution of Waad Aloqaili's creative identity. Veil of Renewal, Spring/Summer 2025, explored personal transformation through embroidery, sculpted silhouettes, and the balance between structure and lightness. The collection later gained international attention when several of its looks appeared at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Yamal, Spring/Summer 2026, drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia's maritime heritage and the traditions of pearl diving. Presented at Riyadh Fashion Week in October 2025, the collection incorporated shell-like forms, luminous surfaces, pearl-inspired embellishments, and soft oceanic colours.

The name Yamal references the traditional chants associated with pearl divers. Through the collection, Aloqaili connected a historic Saudi cultural practice with the precision and artistry of contemporary couture.

Dressing Katy Perry at the 2026 Joy Awards

One of the house's defining international celebrity moments came on January 17, 2026, when American singer Katy Perry attended the Joy Awards in Riyadh wearing Waad Aloqaili Couture. Perry chose Mother Pearl, a custom gown from the Yamal collection. The ivory design featured a structured bodice with painstakingly applied mother-of-pearl elements and a luminous, elongated silhouette.

The dress required more than five months of handwork. Each decorative layer was individually cut, polished, and finished to achieve its pearlescent surface. The collaboration developed through Perry's stylist, Heather Picchiottino, and a considered fitting process. Perry publicly acknowledged her decision to wear a Saudi designer as a way of celebrating local culture. The appearance brought the work of the Riyadh-based couture house to a highly visible international audience.

From Cannes 2025 to Cannes 2026: A Growing Red-Carpet Presence

Waad Aloqaili's international visibility extends beyond a single celebrity appearance. At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, American model Grace Elizabeth wore a sculpted emerald gown from the Veil of Renewal collection to the premiere of The Phoenician Scheme. Other festival appearances included Hana Cross in a blush mermaid silhouette and Dia Anitska in a pink ball gown.

The following year, Cannes became another significant showcase for the house. Portuguese actress and model Sara Sampaio attended the 79th Cannes Film Festival in a custom, pearl-embellished gown by Waad Aloqaili. The design combined an architectural silhouette with a luminous, handcrafted surface. Grace Elizabeth also returned to the 2026 festival in an aquamarine creation by the house. These appearances strengthened Aloqaili's connection with international red-carpet fashion and demonstrated the versatility of her couture across different personalities and occasions.

Craftsmanship, Sustainability, and Female Empowerment

For Waad Aloqaili, craftsmanship is more than an aesthetic consideration. It is central to how a couture piece acquires its meaning and lasting value. In February 2026, the designer discussed sustainability through the development and preservation of artisanal skills. Her philosophy emphasizes the patience, precision, and human knowledge involved in creating garments intended to endure beyond a single season.

The house also positions female empowerment at the heart of its identity. Each collection explores different dimensions of a woman's journey, from personal growth to confidence and independence. Through this philosophy, Aloqaili presents couture as a form of personal expression as well as luxury fashion.

The Future of Waad Aloqaili Couture

Waad Aloqaili's recent achievements reflect the expanding international visibility of Saudi fashion. From the craftsmanship behind Mother Pearl to the maritime storytelling of Yamal, the house has developed a design identity that combines cultural references with contemporary luxury. Its inclusion in the Riyadh Fashion Week 2026 designer roster also demonstrates its continued presence within the Kingdom's fashion calendar.

For Aloqaili, the next chapter is about strengthening the creative identity of her couture house while reaching broader international audiences. Her journey reflects a Saudi fashion industry increasingly confident in presenting its own cultural narratives to the world.

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