The Middle Eastern fashion market is gaining more and more (well-deserved) international attention and the latest move by the Arab Fashion Council will see the light continue to shine on the region.
WWD reports that Arab Fashion Council is opening a new regional office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in a bid to develop a sustainable fashion infrastructure in the country. The nonprofit organization, which represents 22 Arab countries, is spearheading a long-term strategy that aims to fuel the growth of the fashion industry across the Arab world and cement the region’s position as a major market. The council’s initiatives range from design to manufacturing, retail, education and commerce. Its agenda in Saudi Arabia is focused on supporting local talent and acting as a partner for international designers wishing to enter the market. While most leading luxury brands have tapped into the Arab market, offering local customers the most high-end versions of their products, the council believes there is a lot of room for emerging designers to build their Middle Eastern businesses. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been recognized as one of the world’s powerhouses of investment in talent. With a wealth of resources far beyond oil, the kingdom is rich in its people and their ambitions for the future,” said Jacob Abrian, founder and chief executive officer of the Arab Fashion Council. The office will be headed up by honorary President Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud and Country Director Layla Issa Abuzaid. Of her new appointment, Princess Noura, who holds a Masters degree in International Business, told the site, "Our aim is... to incubate the wealth of regional fashion talents in the design, retail and business, to promote these talents internationally through building a sustainable, responsible and future-fit infrastructure for the Arab world."
