fashion commission

Saudi brand Atelier Hekayat. Photo: Hayat Osamah
The Misk Foundation’s Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh and the Saudi Fashion Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower the blossoming fashion industry in the Kingdom on Monday.
The agreement was signed by David Henry, CEO of the City, and Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission at the Ministry of Culture headquarters in Diriyah. The event was held in the presence of His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of Culture and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Fashion Commission.
The partnership was made to cultivate cooperation between the two associations to establish more education and training programs for young Saudi designers, get familiarized with entrepreneurial opportunities and bring in talents and investors to the fashion industry in the Kingdom. It also provides a platform to collaborate and bring forth a diverse range of fashion-related events and festivals in the city. The Fashion Commission also signed a contract at the City Hub to construct a high-end product development studio for product sampling and prototyping. The studio will be furnished with the most advanced and latest machinery, technology, and expertise to foster the development of the fashion design community.
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City and The Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission sign MoU
Çakmak explained the importance of fashion in the country’s cultural landscape and said, “Fashion is a true reflection of Saudi heritage and identity. The signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects the commitment of the Fashion Commission to advance the growth of the Saudi fashion sector and enhance its contribution to the local economy in line with Vision 2030.” Meanwhile, Henry said the collaboration will be an important step toward the growth of the fashion scene in the Kingdom while staying in line with the city’s vision. “We look forward to working together with the Fashion Commission to create opportunities that inspire the next generation of talent and cement the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in the industry while showcasing Saudi culture,” he said.
The Nonprofit City is located in the Irqah neighborhood, bordering the Wadi Hanifa, and is spread over more than 3.4 square kilometers.
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Photo: Courtesy of Pexels
The environmental and social cost of the fast fashion industry has multiplied over the last few decades, parching water sources and leaving marine and land ecosystems traumatized by all its carcinogenic chemicals. Counterpointing speedy consumerist shopping behaviors that account for direct and indirect involvement with the negative impacts on the environment, GFX’s famed clothing swap activation is being hosted by Fashion Commission in Riyadh for the first time, as one Fashion Futures Activations.
Setting up at the Personage concept store in Riyadh from December 11-12, the event will act as an incubator for sustainability enthusiasts in the country, offering them all the means required to contribute to the cause. Featuring 45 minute one-on-one workshops, creator stations, and educational installations, the event aims to create a well-rounded dynamic that touches base on the foundations of everyday sustainability. “The Fashion Commission is honored to host the Global Fashion Exchange (GFX), which will be taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time. The GFX Fashion Swap aims to shift the mindset of not only brands but also consumers towards sustainable consumption and encourages a more sustainable perception in the future,” said Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, Ecosystem Integration & Program Delivery General Manager.
Photo: Instagram.com/globalfashionexchange
The in-store recycling and uplifting experience requires participants to pre-purchase their tickets and book their 2-hour time slots through TicketMix. The swap functions on the currency of tokens given upon donating a fashion item that ticks all quality boxes. The swap encourages the exchange of high-end, sustainable brands like Zimmermann, Sandro, The Kooples, Maje, Zadig & Voltaire, Isabel Marant, and All Saints to ensure the long-lasting lifespan of those items. “We are engaging Saudi consumers with sustainable consumption models for fashion. We want to show that fashion is not just about buying, and there are many other ways to satisfy customer interest to be fashionable in fun ways. Swapping in a fun environment with entertainment and putting a key focus on styling with secondhand and vintage products, builds new habits for the people. Keep products longer in use. Reduce need to produce more products,” Burak Cakmak, the CEO of Fashion Commission, says.
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