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A fashion show that replaced female models with drones ‘displays the severe restrictions women in Saudi Arabia face every day’.

Organisers of the event at Jeddah Hilton hotel proudly showed off their ‘different approach’ to showcasing designer dresses, in front of an all-male audience, on Twitter.

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However, in a kingdom where women are bound by conservative rules, the flying clothes have caused a lot of mockery and outrage online.

Many on social media have compared the flying clothes to a horror show, with one commenting: ‘It’s like a ghost film.’


Another one said: ‘I’m dying at this fashion show in Saudi. They weren’t allowed female models.’

that video of a "saudi fashion show" is so fucking creepy and says so much about how musIims view women only as sexual objects — Tzuyu staring at Kyungsoo (@qaylilah) June 7, 2018

I know in theory that Saudi fashion show video I RTed isn't funny considering what it means for the women of Saudi Arabia, but I'm sorry I cannot breathe at those ghost dresses flapping around — King Khan (@MazHalima) June 7, 2018

It’s interesting reading reactions to the footage of the #Saudi fashion show where dresses are flown around the room by drones. Most seem to think it’s hilarious. It seems to me more like #women being relegated to the point of being erased altogether. — John A. Carruthers (@carrutherslive) June 7, 2018

A spokesperson for the hotel in Jeddah said the event takes place every year for Ramadan, but this is the first time they have used the robots.



There are many female models in the country, and in April, Saudi Arabia held its first official fashion week.

The event was called Arab Fashion Week Riyadh and took place in front of an all-female audience.

Many have suggested that the ‘ghost show’ displays the restrictions women in Saudi Arabia face (Picture: Metro Grab)

Male designers were not allowed, even backstage, and there were strict rules to what could be shown.

Earlier this week, the country issued licenses to women for the first time in decades.

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world where woman are not allowed do drive, is set to lift the ban on 24 June.

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