Saudi Arabia has been tapping into the fashion industry decades after sidelining it. This week, the kingdom stole the spotlight after hosting the biggest fashion event in its history.
Dubbed "Fashion Futures," the event is supported by the kingdom's Ministry of Culture and is held at the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh's Cultural Palace.
Set to wrap up on Wednesday, the three-day affair saw the participation of global fashion figures, models, entrepreneurs, and designers. It also featured celebrity panels, workshops, and an exhibit of traditional Saudi bridal couture.
Day one of the event saw international model Halima Aden, British designer Giles Deacon, and Dutch couturier Iris Van Herpen take the stage.
Aden made an appearance at the event's inauguration donning an outfit inspired by local traditions. She also delivered an inspirational speech targeting Saudi fashion figures.
This event marks a new era for fashion in Saudi Arabia and comes in line with the cultural scheme put forth as part of Vision 2030. Fashion is listed as one of the key sectors the Ministry of Culture will work to grow under the ambitious blueprint.
Initiated by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Vision 2030 mainly aims at diversifying the kingdom's petrol-reliant economy. To achieve that, the country has been opening up to industries previously deemed secondary to its economic growth including cinema, tourism, and fashion.
The event is set to generate major revenues for the fashion sector by strengthening the Saudi fashion scene, supporting local designers, and offering scholarships for those who want to study fashion design.
People attending #FFKSA have been tweeting all about it and it looks quite exciting, to say the least.
FFKSA is getting rave reviews
It's all about homegrown talent
"The future of fashion looks brighter than ever in Saudi Arabia"
Not the first fashion event to be hosted in the kingdom
Last year, the country hosted its first-ever Arab Fashion Week. Though the event is considered smaller in scale when compared to FFKSA, it still made its mark.
The event came as part of a "push to support aspiring Saudi designers and to drive growth in the sector."
The Saudi-based Arab Fashion Week was supported by the kingdom's Authority for Entertainment.
