True Speak
Top global designers, models and industry trend-setters will sashay into Riyadh next month
Layla Issa Abuzaid, the organisation’s Saudi Arabia country director, said the partnership with the British Fashion Council was designed to support young talent as well as to attract international brands who want to tap into the Arab market.
She added: “By launching the first Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh, we are aiming at more than creating a world-class fashion event.
“We believe that in promoting the fashion sector, we will also promote other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, travel and trade.”
Ms Abuzaid also paid tribute to the ambition of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy and create new opportunities for its young population. “Our real wealth lies in the ambition of the people and the potential of our younger generation,” she said. “They are our nation’s pride.”
The Arab Fashion Council’s founder and chief executive, Jacob Abrian, said Riyadh’s new partnership with the British Fashion Council would take Arab couture “into different levels”. He added that he hoped it would encourage London-based designers to come and explore the huge potential in the Arab world of fashion.
His aspirations were echoed by Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, who said she was excited by the prospect of opening up the Arab region to international businesses.
“We hope to use the incredible knowledge that the Arab Fashion Council has of the region to make sure that we’re able to open it to our incredible British businesses,” she said.
