The Saudi Council of Chambers has reportedly banned fashion shows. A council spokesperson told Al Watan multiple unauthorised fashion shows had been organised, damaging the industry.
\nSaudi Arabia is a conservative Muslim kingdom that has strict rules about public appearance and requires women to wear a dark-coloured Abaya.
\nModel Nabil Al Salih told the newspaper it would affect his employment.
\n\u201cModeling is a new field to our culture but the audience was very welcoming to our efforts as models in the show,\u201d he was quoted as saying.
\n\u201cModeling is not just a hobby of mine; I have turned it into a profession.\u201d
\nSamer Rabie, a model and fashion enthusiast, disagreed with the fashion show ban.
\n\u201cModelling is a new field to Saudi society. It is too early for Saudi models to take up modelling as a full time profession and it will have to remain as a hobby for now,\u201d he was quoted as saying.
\n\u201cBut the demand for male models is very high and their hobby will become their profession sometime in the near future.\u201d
\nSaudi fashion designer Raed said although fashion shows and modelling were new to the kingdom, Saudis had been modelling abroad for years.
\n\u201cIf you browse through some of the international fashion names and catalogues you will see Saudi models showcasing their work,\u201d he was quoted as saying.
\n\u201cSome Saudi models such as Thamer Al-Shammary, Dhahi Al-Ali, Mohammad Al-Mayman and Ahmad Al-Sultan have modeled for European companies.\u201d
\nThe decision comes despite a Moroccan entrepreneur Abdelaziz Aouragh receiving approval to open the first \u201chalal\u201d sex shop in the holy city of Makkah.
\nAouragh said the shop would not stock sex toys or pornographic DVDs but would sell items that \u201cincrease feelings of sensuality and\u2026 improve the atmosphere between the couple\u201d.<\/p>\n