Lifestyle ‘Paris Intervention’ as Saudi designers hit the catwalks By Melissa Hancock June 23, 2023, 10:39 AM Saudi Fashion Commission Saudi 100 Brands hosted a catwalk show and a series of events to showcase Saudi creative talent 60 designers from kingdom showcasing designs Saudi 100 Brands helps designers to grow business Event part of Ministry of Culture’s Vision 2030 ambitions The Saudi fashion industry has made its debut at Paris Fashion Week, showcasing the work of 60 designers from the kingdom. Saudi 100 Brands, a programme that helps Saudi designers expand both local and international markets, took a curated selection of emerging Saudi designers to the event, where it hosted the Emerge catwalk show and two dedicated ready-to-wear showrooms. Dubbed the ‘Paris Intervention’, Saudi 100 Brands is also hosting a series of events to showcase its creative talent to a global audience. Saudi designers including Torba Studio, Hindamme, Mazrood, Noble & Fresh, 1886 and Not Boring will also have a showroom at Paris Haute Couture Week from July 3-5. Saudi Arabia’s bid to be the next global fashion powerhouse ‘Preloved’ retail is a vital step on the Gulf’s path to sustainability Saudi and France to ‘unleash potential’ after $2.9bn deals Saudi 100 Brands has previously participated in New York and Milan Fashion Weeks. “Saudi Arabia has a strong pipeline of unique and inventive brands,” said Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, which leads the Saudi 100 Brands programme. “The Paris Intervention is our latest initiative to connect in-demand Saudi fashion talent with fashion lovers, buyers and decision-makers globally.” One of 11 projects launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture to grow the cultural sector in line with Vision 2030 ambitions, the Saudi Fashion Commission is leading the development of the kingdom’s fashion sector. The Saudi 100 Brands initiative 100 Saudi fashion designers with key aspects of brand building and commercial development. The designers, 85 percent female, form a diverse group, with ages ranging from 20 to 70. Some were educated in top international design schools while others are self-trained. Speaking to AGBI in January this year, Cakmak noted that designers from the kingdom are beginning to make their mark internationally: “There are Saudi designers stocked at Harrods, dressing big name celebrities and making waves in the industry. Saudi Arabia is now very much part of the global fashion scene.” The global Islamic fashion industry is expected to grow 6 percent annually to reach $375 billion by 2025, with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey likely to dominate the market, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report (SGIE) 2022 report.
