Sudan holds first unisex fashion shows after Bashir ouster

In a move that would have been almost unthinkable under ousted Islamist president Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese designers have organised a series of mixed-gender fashion shows to present their new lines.

The shows in upmarket Khartoum hotels saw female and male models parading down the catwalk together for the first time since before Bashir seized power more than three decades ago.

"In the old days, it was very difficult to organise a show like this. One would not dream of getting approval for it from authorities," Sudanese designer Khaled Onsa told the press.

"We used to face repression instead, but now we are ruled by a system that guarantees public freedoms."

Bashir, a general who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, ruled Sudan with an iron fist until his ouster in a palace coup in April last year following months of mass protests on the streets.

He imposed a harsh form of Islamic law, criminalising everything from drinking alcohol to women wearing clothes deemed as "revealing".

The transitional government installed after his overthrow has set about dismantling his legacy of repression.

It scrapped Sudan's 1996 public order laws which empowered policemen to take action against people dressed "indecently".

Female designer Nermin Awad Sharif, who organised one of the shows, said there had never been much opposition to such events among the people.

"What we offer are outfits that everyone will accept," she said. "I don't think anyone in Sudanese society would object to them."

Model Barza Mostafa said the show was an opportunity to introduce fashion to the Sudanese people and Sudan to the fashion world.

"We want to introduce the world to our culture," she said. "Previously, people did not understand the idea of a fashion show but now we can see the audience watching and interacting."

Spectator Sawsan Hassan recalled how policemen under Bashir used to stop her for simply not wearing a headscarf.

A decade ago, Hassan had attended a fashion show in Sudan that ended with organisers and models behind bars.

"Some were even flogged," she said.

Designer Hossam Mohamed Ahmed believes the shows are testament to the spirit of change in Sudan.

"I can now show people my designs. It was impossible before," he said.

Mahid Muhammad, who attended one of the shows with his three sisters, proudly showed short video clips he had taken with his mobile phone.

"This is Sudan in its full freedom," he said