The Saudi Fashion Commission has unveiled plans to host its inaugural Fashion Week in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The event is scheduled to take place from October 20 to 23 and is the latest move by the government-run commission to boost the country’s fashion industry. This announcement comes on the heels of the opening of a four-day showroom in Paris called Saudi 100 Brands, where established and emerging Saudi fashion labels showcased their collections.
The showroom, held at the prestigious La Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, showcased a wide range of ready-to-wear and accessories collections for women, men, and unisex. The collections on display ranged from streetwear to evening wear, with the majority of the pieces sourced and manufactured in Saudi Arabia. This was an opportunity for Saudi fashion brands to present themselves on the global stage, following their participation in previous fashion weeks in Paris and Milan.
Burak Çakmak, the CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, expressed excitement about the upcoming Fashion Week, stating that it will be a historic event that will position Saudi Arabia as the next international fashion destination. The previous fashion season held in Saudi Arabia in April 2018 was a private initiative restricted to women-only audiences. However, this upcoming season is expected to be more extravagant and inclusive, with the backing of the official Saudi Fashion Commission.
The Saudi Fashion Commission was established two years ago as part of the Saudi government’s push to promote artistic and cultural production in the country. It falls under the umbrella of a larger project named Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify and grow the Saudi Arabian economy. The commission encompasses various departments, including fine arts, design, film, music, and theatre.
According to the commission, Saudi Arabia’s fashion industry has the highest projected growth rates among large, high-income markets. The retail fashion sales in the country are expected to surge by 48% to reach $32 billion from 2021 to 2025, with an annual growth rate of 13%. This growth is attributed to the economic expansion of the country and its growing population, with apparel, accessories, footwear, and luxury goods poised for significant gains. The value of luxury fashion purchases in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reached $9.6 billion in 2021, with Saudi Arabia experiencing a 19% growth rate.
The Saudi Fashion Commission is also set to make its presence felt during the Paris haute couture season, where it will host a salon featuring Saudi designers such as Mona Alshebil, Hindamme, Charmaleena, Chador, Atelier Hekayat, and Abadia. This event will take place from October 3 to 5 at the Hotel Marcel Dassault. Overall, these initiatives highlight Saudi Arabia’s ambition and potential to establish itself as a leading fashion destination on the global stage.
