The first Riyadh Fashion Week has just closed its doors and offered significant business opportunities for Saudi designers as an expression of Saudi Arabia’s increasingly interesting emerging fashion scene.
Hosted in the Saudi capital, the event took place from 20 to 23 October 2023 and hosted 29 Saudi brands exhibited across 15 shows, with a famous Saudi couturier, Mohammed Ashi, hosting his first-ever runway show in the country.
The event marked three years of growth and success since the Saudi Fashion Commission was founded and embodied Saudi Arabia’s newly-emerging and forward-thinking domestic fashion scene.
The winding runway was set against a striking backdrop of artificial sand dunes and accommodated hundreds of guests in the newly-built King Abdullah Financial District, an architectural wonder and powerhouse within Riyadh.
Designs ranged from the world of playful and delightful couture to bold and glittering evening wear, timeless elegance, traditional dress, and street style.
Various celebrities participated the event, including world-famous supermodel Halima Aden, who walked the catwalk for Honayda Serafi, debuting the “Cosmos” collection honoring Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Saudi astronaut to go into space.
Other VIPs were invited to help promote Saudi designers on the stage, including German fashion influencer Leonie Hanne, Saudi actress Khairiah Abulaban, Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad, and the Emirati twins that have taken the fashion world by storm, Mohammed and Humaid Hadban.
In addition to the catwalk shows, there was an event showroom for guests to visit and discover the wide range of styles and pieces offered by Saudi designers.
In a first-of-its-kind activation, Snapchat partnered with Riyadh Fashion Week to create an immersive augmented reality experience bringing brands to life in pop-up rooms that allowed guests to try on designs virtually.
The event also championed the local female-owned make-up brand Asteri Beauty, the world’s first-ever desert-proof make-up, with guests gifted goodie bags and makeovers.
“This week has been a dream come true. Riyadh Fashion Week is a prime example of our commitment to bringing the fashion industry together, highlighting a remarkable journey of transformation for the sector,” said Burak Çakmak, CEO, Saudi Fashion Commission.
“We are playing an integral role in driving economic growth and diversification while creating an environment for local talent to develop their skills and thrive on the global stage,” he added.
Over the last year, the Saudi fashion industry has seen established and emerging brands participate at events across the world, showcasing designs across Paris and Milan Fashion Week, and most recently returning from an investor roadshow in New York.
The Saudi fashion industry has experienced significant growth in recent times, as reported by the newly launched “State of Fashion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2023) report”, a detailed overview of the industry’s size, growth and key trends. Along with analysis, the report showcases the unique cultural influences and talent that make Saudi Arabia’s fashion industry distinct.
Momentum is set to continue with the opening of the Commission’s Product Development Studio in the next few months. A space to support designers with the most advanced machinery, technology and expertise, the studio aims to foster the development of the fashion design community.
Founded in 2020, the Fashion Commission is leading the development of the Kingdom’s fashion sector. By driving investment and building regulatory frameworks, the commission is supporting the next generation of Saudi fashion talent as they aspire to reach their full potential. The commission is enabling the sector while preserving the Kingdom’s vast heritage in fashion and empowering Saudi fashion designers.
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