By Abdullah Al-Jemaz

KUWAIT: Kuwait is long known for being Arab style capital, where people blend their love for trends while embracing their heritage. Kuwaitis have always been recognized for their elegant style that is classy and modest. But many in Kuwait believe that the fashion scene has gone “tasteless”, curbing creativity and individuality whilst preserving a more ordered and collective fashion taste. “Everyone wears the same thing and as soon as you leave your comfort zone and try something new out, it is almost like everyone is judging you”, said Khaled Mohammad.

This social stigma creates an unconscious “social code” for how people should dress in Kuwait. “Fashion is objective. A lot of people, especially men like me, want to express themselves but in Kuwait people feel limited because they feel judged by others. Consequently, this is why men in Kuwait all wear the same clothes. I think we should be more accepting of branching outside the box and experimenting with new things,” said Haidar Ali, a university student.

For many, fashion is a medium to display their interests, and personality through different garments, shapes, and styles. Some people prefer fashion by specific brands whilst others prefer the classiness of a dishdasha or the simplicity of a plain t-shirt. One’s fashion provides a glimpse of their character; if you saw a man wearing a dishdasha walking down the street, you could assume that the person is someone in touch with their culture. People may dress differently depending on their mood, interests or how they would like to be perceived by others. However, an expressive and personal scene such as fashion requires a lot of self-confidence, which some believe Kuwait’s social norms could restrict.

Hussein Hosny is a university student who is passionate about fashion and has been shooting freelance fashion photography since 2020. Hussein has been photographing all ranges of fashion from vibrant, creative projects to more serious, formal shoots on his Instagram page.

“Kuwaitis have a timeless style, and it is identifiable from afar. However, they don’t venture out of their comfort zone and the social code in which we are used to seeing in malls and cafes,” he said.

While the fashion community in Kuwait has been growing steadily, Hussein noted that it needs more support before it begins to attract global attention as other emerging fashion capitals across the world.

“After COVID, the advent of social media growth has gotten people more exposed to different modes of dressing themselves,” said Hussein. As people in Kuwait get increasingly experimental with different ways of styling themselves, he said it was important to surround yourself by a supportive environment.

“My tip for people is to take it one step at a time, don’t be afraid to experiment with what seems out of reach. Be confident with your taste,” he said.

He added that a repressive or judgmental environment can lead to an identity crisis for those who use fashion as an outlet for self-expression. Hussein urged people to rethink their biases and embrace diversity. “Learning your own misconceptions and avoiding generalizing your hatred (is important). Most people’s fashion is for themselves and is not supposed to offend anyone.”