< PreviousTHE STATE OF FASHION REPORT Unveiled in Paris as a “book you can wear and a dress you can read”, thanks to the design talent of Atelier Hekayat and the master craftsmanship of D’Oro Collection, The State of Fashion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2023 report projects that retail fashion sales in Saudi are expected to surge 48 per cent to US$32 billion by 2025. With luxury retail posting a 19 per cent growth, it confirms that fashion is now a key economic driver of Saudi’s expansion. COUTURE AND JEWELLERY SHOWROOM Paris auction house Artcurial plays host to the couture and jewellery designers of the Saudi 100 Brands initiative from 3-5 July with private invite-only salons and fittings for clients in a bespoke couture experience, plus a special edition of VISION Gazette: Jewellery Volume 1 to mark the occasion. JULY COUTURE AND JEWELLERY PRESENTATION Le Grand Jardin at Ritz Paris sets the scene on 3 July for an exclusive couture presentation before an international audience featuring the designers of the Saudi 100 Brands. Participating creatives include Adnan Akbar, Ashwaq Almarshad, Fatima Alabdulqader, Mashael Al Faris, Najla Almunajem, Pavone, Yousef Akbar, Luda Jewelry, Rutana Jewelry and Yataghan Jewellery. ASHI STUDIO COUTURE SHOW Ashi Studio becomes the first couturier from the Gulf region to be invited as a guest member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture. Unveiling a spellbinding collection called The Essence on 6 July, inspired by Patrick Süskind’s novel Perfume, from the stage at Théâtre du Châtelet, Saudi-born Mohammed Ashi reveals, “This appointment is the highlight of my career.” 8 006-011_VISION_VOL2_TIMELINE.indd 819/04/2024 16:25WOMENSWEAR Th e sky’s t he limit WHITE SHOWROOM Industry insiders have the opportunity to view the Saudi designs up close at the WHITE Milano showroom on Via Tortona in the city’s fashion district from 22-25 September 2023. It features 40 Saudi brands, 85 per cent of which are female-led. SEPTEMBER GALA EVENT A grandiose gala evening on Palazzo Serbelloni’s catwalk signals the start of Saudi 100 Brands’ daring takeover of Milan Fashion Week. Marrying dance, culture and fashion, it stars dancers from La Scala theatre and looks from 30 Saudi designers. A special edition of VISION Gazette: Womenswear Volume 1 adds to the celebrations. EMERGE POP-UP Throughout Milan Fashion Week, the Emerge Pop-Up opens to the public from 19-28 September, taking a prime store-front position at the iconic concept store 10 Corso Como. The pop-up retails designs by Agmarat, Dananeer, Ivori Fashion, Jayla, Mona Alshebil, RBA New York, Sajas, Derza, Linen by A, MD29, Reham Nassier, and Samar Nasraldin. 9 006-011_VISION_VOL2_TIMELINE.indd 919/04/2024 16:25OCTOBER ABADIA AND 1886 SECURE INVESTMENT On 3 October, the Fashion Commission meets stakeholders at an investment roadshow in New York and announces that Saudi 100 Brands participants Abadia and 1886 will ink an international investment deal with private equity firm Turmeric Capital. RIYADH FASHION WEEK The inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week takes place from 20-24 October, with Ashi Studio opening the event with its first ever show in the Kingdom. Fashion Commission CEO Burak Çakmak remarks, “For the first time ever, we are welcoming the global fashion community to the epicentre of Saudi fashion, here in Riyadh. The event will showcase the best of our creative talent, allowing yet another opportunity for our brands to connect with the world.” Meanwhile, a special edition of VISION Gazette: Couture Volume 1 graces the FROW. NOVEMBER FASHION FUTURES Founded by the Ministry of Culture in 2019, Fashion Futures evolves into an exciting, immersive event. The industry- and public-facing hybrid in JAX District, in partnership with Hia Hub from 3-7 November 2023, offers guests opportunities for luxury and vintage retail, panel discussions, workshops, a Saudi 100 Brands exhibition, and an appearance by supermodel Kate Moss. HAL A AL GHAR B A W I 10 006-011_VISION_VOL2_TIMELINE.indd 1019/04/2024 16:25RIYADH FASHION WEEK TRUNK SHOW On 7 November 2023, the first Riyadh Fashion Week trunk show takes place at Future Creative Residence. Selected brands available for pre-order on the day include, 1886, Harjuss, Lomar, Mazrood, MD29, Mona Alshebil, Nabila Nazer, Noble & Fresh, Not Boring, Noura Al Sulaiman, and Uscita. RSH FESTIVAL For the second year, the Visual Arts Commission brings together more than 30 local, regional and international graffiti artists for the RSH Festival, a global confluence of creativity in Riyadh from 15 November-6 December. This year, in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, a pop-up shop of Saudi streetwear adds fashion to the mix, featuring Noble & Fresh, Not Boring, Mazrood, and others, plus an edition of VISION Gazette: Streetwear Volume 1. USC IT A N O B LE & F R ESH 1 886 NO T B ORI NG SWAP SHOP IN JEDDAH Introducing the practice of sustainable shopping to Saudi Arabia, the fourth edition of the Fashion Commission’s swishing initiative takes place at Prestige Mall in Jeddah from 28 November-2 December 2023 in association with Yoox, Net-a-Porter and Cenomi. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN SAUDI BY FOUAD ALGHAREEB, COURTESY OF THE VISUAL ARTS COMMISSION 11 006-011_VISION_VOL2_TIMELINE.indd 1121/04/2024 20:1112 012-013_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP_OPENER.indd 1218/04/2024 20:5913 THEKINGDOM 012-013_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP_OPENER.indd 1318/04/2024 20:5914 THE SAUDI CUP FASHION WINS THE RACE 014-019_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP.indd 1418/04/2024 21:0215 WORDS Jessica Michault The Saudi Cup, the world’s most lucrative horse-racing event, has now become a fully fl edged fashion moment for the Kingdom 014-019_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP.indd 1518/04/2024 21:0216 The Japanese long-shot Panthalassa might have been the steed that won the US$20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh with a surprising victory, but perhaps the real winner of the two-day event was the fashion. The who’s who of KSA and beyond – yes, Martha Stewart made an appearance – pulled out all the stops to come up with ensembles that paid homage to the vast and varied sartorial heritage of the Kingdom. Men looked dashing in their thobes, bishts and shemaghs with ornamental daggers at the waist added for good measure, while the women treated the Saudi Cup like a 48-hour red carpet extravaganza. Think Met Gala meets Royal Ascot. Ladies strolled the greens in front of the King Abdulaziz Racetrack wearing custom-made ensembles designed to celebrate the rich history of the nation. Women appeared with crowns of fragrant white fl owers, abayas that jingled with the sound of gold coin-covered hemlines or ornate battoulahs on their faces. Some women wore garments fi rst donned by their mother or grandmother with pride, while others used the occasion to honour the past by celebrating the future of Saudi fashion – many of whom turned to designers who were part of the inaugural Saudi 100 Brands, who have been supported and celebrated by the Fashion Commission, under the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. Setting the scene, Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, observes, “Saudi has a distinct fashion heritage and fashion offering, where traditional complements the contemporary. This is being recognised on a global scale – from celebrity endorsements to Saudi presence at the biggest fashion events worldwide.” He continues, “The celebration of traditional dress at the Saudi Cup means a great deal to Saudi designers and Saudi people. The Fashion Commission plays an important role not only at this event but every day with our vision to celebrate Saudi’s history through its ever-evolving fashion scene.” Mona Alshebil’s designs were spotted on Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on day one of the Saudi Cup. Infl uencer Nojoud Al-Rumaihi was seen in a striking white column gown with a dramatic blue beaded embroidered cape by Saudi designer Nour Aldhahri, while Alanoud Badr turned to Sara Intabi for 014-019_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP.indd 1618/04/2024 21:0217 014-019_VISION_VOL2_SAUDI CUP.indd 1718/04/2024 21:02Next >