Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100
The Saudi 100 Brands initiative, launched in 2021 by the Saudi Fashion Commission to support emerging designers, brings a sartorial extravaganza to Paris, France. With alluring showrooms and exclusive events, a curated selection of Saudi brands is taking over Paris Fashion Week and Haute Couture Week.
Atelier Hekayat. Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
From the glamorous drama of Atelier Hekayat to the subtle elegance of Chador, these designers are a testimony to the diversity of the creative vision within Saudi Arabia. A vision that the Saudi 100 Brands initiative has been committed to since its inception. Masterclasses, workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and professional development delivered by industry leaders and experts have allowed the program to empower emerging designers in a country that is rapidly embracing the endless possibilities of fashion.
Chador. Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
Now, for the first time, this burgeoning pool of talent arrived in Paris with dedicated, state-of-the-art showrooms, as well as a series of celebratory events showcasing the most exciting Saudi creative talent to a global audience. Multibrand showrooms in two prestigious locations also hosted both established and emerging brands presenting their collections in an innovative set-up.
Mona AlShebil. Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
The ‘Paris Intervention’ Ready-to-Wear showroom at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine not only captivated audience with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower but also treated them to a diverse range of collections with a particular focus on sustainability. Ranging from streetwear to eveningwear, the collections featured women’s, men’s, and unisex ready-to-wear pieces along with accessories.
The Dropped Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
This enticing event was followed by a couture showroom from July 3 to July 5 at the Hôtel Marcel Dassault, a historical mansion in the heart of the city’s ‘Golden Triangle’, steps away from the couture houses of Avenue Montaigne. Complete with private invite-only salons and fittings for clients, guests are provided with a luxurious, bespoke couture experience, and the opportunity to browse jewelry and fragrances.
Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
This positioning of Saudi Arabia as a formidable force in 21st-century fashion was celebrated at an exclusive garden party for officials, designers, and fashion industry leaders at the Hotel Ritz on Place Vendôme. Within the gardens of the opulent property, invitees mingled with each other at an event that was glamorous, to say the least. Whimsical creations from rising designers such as Mashael Al Faris, Yataghan Jewellery, and Yousef Akbar were presented at a special runway show creating a vision that guests were more than pleased to witness.
Abadia. Photo: Courtesy of Saudi 100 Brands
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, commented on the arrival of Saudi fashion in Paris, “I’m confident that our guests will leave feeling inspired by the next generation of Saudi designers who are pushing boundaries with their timeless designs.” He added, “We are committed to building this forward-looking fashion industry by amplifying the talented voices and culture of Saudi Arabia and expanding our worldwide reach.”
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