up to the Eid holidays, many women-exclusive exhibitions are offering an opportunity to women to buy their essentials rather than be a part of the maddening crowd at malls. “This is a new phenomenon that started early this year. These exhibitions give the women a freedom to choose their stuff as well as cut the overcrowding around malls,” said Najwa Khiyat, organizer of an exhibition at Jeddah Hiton. Najwa said they have chosen a very wide space – around 2,000 cube meter – so that all the needs of women are served under one roof. Saudi women may have now found a permanent solution to the lingering crisis of visiting the overcrowded malls for shopping on special occasions like Eid. “The high level reached by Saudi woman in innovation and contribution to the economy will give her global reputation in various fields,” said Princes Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Thunayan Al-Saud, President of the Women's Authority in King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Center . She spoke during the opening of Exhibition Call (Sharqiat) on Saturday. A number of businesswomen and more than 50 local and international companies are taking part in the exhibition. According to Khiyat, the exhibition is full of different products and services that women are interested in. “Cosmetics, personal accessories and household goods, real estate, finance, gold, jewelry, crafts, antiques, abayas, clothing, and many of the products and services exclusively for women are on display,” added Khiyat. “All theses efforts are aimed at emphasizing the role of woman and demonstrate her practical activities,” she said. Many Saudi designers are participating in the exhibition. “I have participated in several exhibitions, but this one is different, especially because of its time,” said Naelah Mamdouh, a Saudi designer who prefers to sell her designs in pure female environment. Such exhibitions will help many sellers to talk openly about thier products and explain the procedure in making them. “Sometimes I make my perfumes and sell it to companies without having the chance to explain how I made them. Such exhibitions will help me explain that as well as use my name on these perfumes,” said Sumaiyah Mamdoh, who mixes many perfumes to make a special one. __
