RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The second edition of Riyadh Fashion Week concluded last week, showcasing not only Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning design talent but also the rapid modernization of Saudi society.
The five-day event features runway shows, presentations, and presentations across three distinctive venues: the desert-inspired Tuwaiq Palace, Riyadh’s Digital City with its dazzling lights and skyscrapers, and the artistic and industrial JAX District. A carefully selected combination of , showroom exhibitions and social activations took place.
Riyadh Fashion Week attracted the entire fashion ecosystem, including not only the country’s top talent, but also domestic and international buyers, media, and even celebrity sightings. Georgina Rodriguez, model and star of the Netflix reality show “I Am Georgina,” sat in the front row for several shows. Rodriguez lives part-time in Riyadh with his partner, superstar soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo. Model Elsa Hosk also attended, along with a number of Middle Eastern actresses and influencers.
Waad Alokairi Couture, presented by Riyadh Fashion Week
Ida Peterson, co-founder of retail development company Good Eggs and former buying director at London’s Browns and Net-a-Porter, attended for the second year in a row. “During my career, I have had the opportunity to witness the evolution of many ‘new’ fashion weeks, such as Copenhagen and Shanghai, and Riyadh did not disappoint in its second edition.” she said. “It’s clear that they want to be taken seriously and that there is power behind the operation.”
The establishment of Fashion Week is an important part of the Saudi Fashion Commission’s goal to foster a globally connected fashion industry that resonates not only domestically but internationally. This is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and promote cultural development. Fashion is recognized as an important pillar of the country’s creative, cultural and economic development.
Burak Chakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Council, said this prioritization was key to its rapid development over the past three years. The event received strong support and resources from the government and was able to build at an incredibly fast pace. “We can dream big because we are given the necessary space and support to build. At the same time, we have a deadline and need to act quickly,” Chakmak said in the plan’s name. He mentioned the target for 2030.
This year’s show demonstrated the results of the committee’s three-year investment in developing local talent through its mentoring and training initiative, the Saudi 100 Program. “Many of the designers on display have just returned from Paris two days ago, having completed their master’s studies at IFM. So they are creating and also receiving an education,” Chakmak said. .
A look from Mazrud. Provided by Riyadh Fashion Week
Riyadh Fashion Week’s format is adapted to the region’s unique cultural considerations, rather than imitating the traditional fashion week model. Chakmak said the show starts in the evening after sunset and is scheduled until midnight, and the schedule is tailored to local tastes and lifestyles. Between shows, audience members gathered to snack on dinner and drink juice, tea, coffee, and water.
He added that since Saudi Arabia’s climate does not change much, Riyadh Fashion Week will be held annually rather than having fashion weeks for each season. The committee also organizes Red Sea Fashion Week, which focuses on resort collections.
“The idea is also how do we facilitate everything else that’s happening in Saudi Arabia,” Chakmak said. “Tourism is an important factor. Riyadh is itself a business and government destination, but it is now becoming a cultural destination, with all kinds of activities in music, entertainment and art. Fashion has to be part of that mix too. There are a lot of events that attract international tourists now, but when people travel, they don’t just discover new places; they also discover new products. , new creatives, and an interest in discovering new brands, fashion fits into this very smoothly. Riyadh Fashion Week blends all these elements, giving a sense of the city. I wanted to.”
Red Sea Fashion Week, held in the spring, stands to capitalize on the country’s growing demand for tourism, with new five-star resorts opening along the Red Sea coastline. “Through fashion, we can highlight what’s happening in the region, attract an international fashion audience to the most amazing places they’ve ever seen, and create excitement around it,” Chakmak said. ” he explained.
While Riyadh Fashion Week focuses on urban areas, Red Sea Fashion Week is expected to become a must-see destination with collections of resort wear from both local and international brands. “Our ambition is for resort brands and resort buyers to put this on their annual calendar as a destination for resort wear.”
Qawra Araiban Couture, presented by Riyadh Fashion Week
As the Saudi fashion ecosystem continues to evolve, challenges remain. Kakmaku acknowledged the complexity of the retail industry, as the availability of real estate capable of supporting luxury concepts lags behind the demand for it. “The Saudi retail industry remains very complex and is still being built.”
He said designers will need to develop various retail strategies until ongoing projects come to fruition. But he remains optimistic, stressing the importance of flexibility and a willingness to experiment to find the right formula. “Flexibility is key, but we need to work on all aspects at once and allow each to feed and grow from the other.”
Peterson acknowledged that the region’s designers already excel in haute couture and modest eveningwear. “A new generation is taking up menswear and womenswear in general, whether it’s streetwear seen through the eyes of 1886 Hindom, Knot Boring, or brands that blend tradition and new like KML and RBA. It’s exciting to see that this region has so much to offer and it’s clearly a region that the international community should pay attention to.”
The highlight of the week was the arrival of Sara, Saudi Arabia’s first humanoid robot, who made her runway debut at the opening of KAF by KAF. Spectators watched in wonder as surreal models, often unsure of whether they were human or not, slowly walked down the runway. It was an ode to the event’s innovative spirit of doing things a little differently.
Here’s a roundup of some of the week’s key moments.
Abadia
View from Aberdare. Provided by Riyadh Fashion Week
Abadia founder and creative director Shahad Al-Shehail, who just returned from Paris Fashion Week where he presented his collection at Galeries Lafayette, is perhaps Saudi Arabia’s fastest-rising fashion star. She presented a visually striking collection of flowing dresses and separates rich in the brand’s signature desert hues, drawing inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s heritage of lush greenery and underground water sources. I have created a collection.
Elements of traditional Saudi embroidery are seamlessly integrated into the collection on jacket cuffs and belts. The brand’s signature silhouettes, including the popular drop-waist and belted dresses, were showcased in a variety of luxurious fabrics, including the newly introduced bamboo, giving the garments a soft yet structured quality. This collection was the designer’s strongest yet, with effortless elegance and craftsmanship. In just five years since the brand’s launch, Abadia has managed to balance commercial viability with artistic expression.
1886
Exterior of 1886. Presented by Riyadh Fashion Week
Under the new creative direction of Nicolas Ottersten, who has previously worked with Acne Studios, Kenzo, Tommy Hilfiger, and Axel Arigat, Saudi Arabia’s most famous streetwear label 1886 is a mid-century underground rave and acid house label. Introducing a denim-heavy streetwear collection inspired by the scene. England in the 90s. Statement studded jeans were featured on the runway, paired with practical classics.
The collection blends nostalgic subculture with futuristic design, woven into a near-future story where a trip to the past is essential to righting the wrongs that threaten the future. “It’s kind of a homage to the past and an excitement for what’s to come,” Ottersten said.
This collection prompted reflection on our current responsibilities through themes of risk-taking and the consequences of human error. Founded by Fahad Al Jomia and Khalid Al Jamaz, who conceived the brand while studying abroad in London, 1886 quickly emerged as one of Saudi Arabia’s most popular brands.
mona cheville
A view from Mona Alsheville. Provided by Riyadh Fashion Week
What started as a brand conceived during the pandemic with a focus on suits for women entering Saudi Arabia’s new modern workplace has undergone an impressive transformation, moving from a modest workwear focus to a global brand. It has evolved into a modern fashion line.
The collection is an homage to the designer’s grandmother, built with traditional elements such as a henna-inspired belt design and modern touches such as a denim evening dress made from recycled and upcycled materials. A fusion of traditional silhouettes. This collection included pieces that could be dressed up or down. Cream-colored denim and crisp white dresses appeal to both professional working women and more fashion-conscious younger consumers, and Mona said that’s what her daughter represents.
KAF by KAF
Appearance of KAF by KAF. Provided by Riyadh Fashion Week
Designer Kawthar Alhoraish’s collection ‘Artificial Beauty’ juxtaposes nature-inspired design and technology, exploring the tensions and contradictions that arise when organic shapes collide with man-made structures . As Alkhoraysh explained, the core of the collection is a conceptual discussion.
The designers blurred the lines by asking the audience to decide whether they see technology or craft in each garment. The collection includes holographic tanks that seem to capture the movement and energy of nature photographs, and laser-cut and 3D-printed flowers on garments that mimic the natural sway of fields in the wind. It was a feature. This fusion of the man-made and the organic has created a fascinating dialogue about the boundaries between the two. The collection was versatile, with pieces that could range from office to evening wear. This commercial appeal, combined with a strong conceptual vision, demonstrated a deep understanding of the modern consumer.
Razan Allazzoni
Exterior of Razin Amazoni. Provided by Riyadh Fashion Week
Designer Razan Arazzoni, one of Saudi Arabia’s most famous eveningwear brands, debuted his first runway show in his home country during Riyadh Fashion Week. Inspired by the ancient craft of pearl diving, this collection combines modern design elements with an innovative approach. Known for his work taking inspiration from nature, Arazzoni moved away from the direct use of pearls and instead focused on the theme of pearls as a design motif. The incorporation of oysters, fishing rope-inspired embroidery, and embroidery techniques that depict underwater geological formations reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural roots in the modern fashion language. The collection’s signature cuts, including crop tops, skirts, and flowing dresses, highlight the designer’s skill in balancing tradition and modernity, and why she is so popular in the kingdom. I did.
