In a flowing scarlet dress, Rafeea Al-Hajsi fulfilled a dream by becoming the first Emirati model to strut the Arab Fashion Week catwalk after years battling social constraints.
“It’s amazing to be on the catwalk... a lovely feeling,” she said. “I enjoy it with all my heart.”
As she prepared to model two dresses by Lebanese designer Aiisha Ramadan on Sunday, the model said excitement, fear and happiness all come together when she faces the audience.
“When I see the lights on my face, life lights up with the feeling that international fame is ahead,” she said.
Hajsi started off modelling traditional local costumes. She declined to give her age, but said she had to wait years for society to “open up a little.” 
“It took around eight years for you to see me standing here in front of you,” she said.
On Sunday she took to the catwalk to model a long red one-sleeved dress and another off-shoulder black gown — both from Aiisha Ramadan’s Spring-Summer 2017 collection.
Hajsi “has a waist,” the designer said. “To me, this is my client. Rafeea represents the beautiful Arab girl.”
She agreed that Arab models often face barriers keeping them out of the fashion world.
“For the model to become international, she needs to reveal a lot of her body and this can be unacceptable in (Arab) culture,” the designer said.
Hajsi admitted that she keeps society in mind when considering modelling offers, saying she has turned many down because of the revealing designs.
“There are limits that I always consider,” she said.
“It’s painful. Sometimes there is a dress I really like and which the designer wants me to wear, but I can’t because the design is not suitable for our society.”
“I sacrifice international fashion shows that are great opportunities for me, just to be considerate toward our society and my family,” she said.

Source: Arab News