RIYADH – The Arts and Skills Institute (ASI), an innovative and contemporary School of Art and Fashion in the capital, hosted an abaya competition as part of year-long celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom. Keiko Okuda, wife of Norihiro Okuda, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia, participated in the event as a jury member and attended the awards ceremony on April 22. Also in attendance was Princess Adwa Bint Yazeed Al-Saud. In a speech at the awards ceremony, Keiko Okuda said, “I am very proud that our cooperation with Saudi Arabia has been strengthened in the field of fashion and arts. This event actually shows a wonderful collaboration of Japan and Saudi Arabia, in a sense that the abaya, which is a part of Saudi folklore, is made with Japanese fabrics.” “I understand that Japan, with its culture of Kimono, has a special sense and technique of making black fabric an even deeper black. I am very impressed by the quality of work by the students,” she continued. At the event, the Japanese Embassy opened a cultural booth for Japanese Kimonos. Attendees enjoyed the display of traditional Japanese costumes along with several other booths at the event. The event was co-sponsored by UTIC Co., Ltd.— SG
