A major change occurred in Saudi Arabia on Friday when the country hosted its first fashion show with swimsuit models. A decade ago, women were forced to cover their bodies with abaya robes.

The poolside event featured Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal’s collection, which mostly featured one-piece swimsuits in red, beige, and blue hues. A large number of the models had bare shoulders, and some had partially exposed midriffs.

“It’s true that this country is very conservative but we tried to show elegant swimsuits which represent the Arab world,” Qanzal said.

“When we came here, we understood that a swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia is a historic moment, because it is the first time to have such event,” she said, adding it was “an honour” to be involved.

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, which is situated off the western coast of Saudi Arabia, hosted the show on the second day of the first Red Sea Fashion Week.

The resort is a component of Red Sea Global, one of the massive undertakings at the heart of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 social and economic reform initiative in Saudi Arabia.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has instituted a number of social reforms since taking the throne in 2017. These reforms are intended to soften Saudi Arabia’s traditionally harsh image, which has been shaped by the Wahhabi school of strict Islam.

Among these reforms have been the removal of the stick welding religious police who used to enforce prayer times in shopping centers, the reopening of theaters, and the planning of festivals featuring music for all genders. But along with these developments, there has also been a rise in the persecution of dissent, including attacks on conservative clerics who might be against the changes.

Shouq Mohammed, a Syrian fashion influencer who attended the show on Friday, was quoted as saying that it was not surprising considering Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become more open to the outside world and grow its tourism and fashion industries.