Kuwaiti Brand Thuna Reimagines the Traditional Gulf Madas for SS26

Kuwaiti footwear label Thuna is turning to a centuries-old Gulf staple for its latest collection. Titled 'Madas. Heritage, Her Way', the SS26 collection draws inspiration from the traditional madas, a backless leather slipper worn across the Arabian Peninsula and known for its practicality, comfort and distinctive toe-loop design.Instead of reproducing the shoe as it once was, THUNA has adapted key elements of the silhouette for contemporary wardrobes. The collection features updated proportions, softer materials, and a colour palette of sand, terracotta, chocolate, bronze, and cream. Across 19 shoes and three bags, the collection explores the madas through suede, leather, canvas and satin."The madas was shaped by function, climate and culture," says THUNA co-founder Altaf Almudhayan. "It said what it needed to say through craft — the quality of the leather, the precision of the stitch. That spirit is what we wanted to carry into this collection. Not the object itself, but the essence behind it."Among the styles is Naya, a toe-loop flat available in tan, blue, black, and grey, while Badia offers a version with a subtle kitten heel in cream and bronze.

"Heritage isn't something you put on display. It lives in the details, the way a sole cushions, the way a toe loop holds. That's where we worked," says co-founder Sharifa Alsulaiti.The result is a collection that takes cues from a familiar Gulf silhouette while adapting it for the everyday lives of modern Arab women. Founded in 2019, THUNA has built a reputation for handmade footwear that prioritises comfort, quality, and versatility, earning recognition as the first Arab finalist at the UK Drapers Footwear Awards in 2024 and a finalist for Fashion Trust Arabia's 2025 Accessories Prize.