A new initiative is appealing to 100 Saudi fashion designers to take part in an all-encompassing mentorship programme led by some of the industry’s leading experts. A Fashion Commission project, the scheme called “Saudi 100 Brands” is aimed at Saudi fashion designers and brands hoping to take their businesses to the next level.
“Saudi Arabia is on a growth path across all sectors, including fashion, and there are great opportunities for local entrepreneurs to build new businesses across all parts of the fashion value chain,” Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, which was founded in 2020, said. “A robust fashion sector benefits from local creatives, design studios, marketing and communication agencies, manufacturers and retailers. And through programmes like “Saudi 100 Brands,” we look forward to seeing Saudi designers take their rightful place on the global stage.”
يحظى المشاركون في #برنامج_100_براند_سعودي على 5900 ساعة من التوجيه والتدريب والاستشارات تحت أيادي نخبة من الخبراء والاستشاريين في صناعة الأزياء العالمية الفاخرة. https://t.co/ZaHI7wWyZJ#هيئة_الأزياء pic.twitter.com/pYrjqNNPsw
— هيئة الأزياء (@FashionMOC) June 4, 2021
The programme by the commission that leads the development of the Kingdom’s fashion sector and promotes and empowers practitioners, creatives and investors in the field offers a one-year brand development initiative. Training and mentoring, individual and group consultancy and advisory sessions are all part of the plan. In addition, there are virtual and in-person training workshops to boost competitive business advantage for Saudi brands in the global fashion industry.
Burak Cakmak has been appointed as the CEO of Saudi Arabia's Fashion Commission. Previously the Dean of Fashion at the Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York, he will now manage, organize, and develop the fashion sector in KSA. pic.twitter.com/yVZCit4jVa
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) February 23, 2021
“Saudi 100 Brands” covers a wide range of topics including branding, conceptualization, sales performance strategy, public relations and marketing. Other subjects like client identification, innovation and technology and key leadership skills are also dealt with in the exciting curriculum. Participants will also get the chance to get insight from a global team of experts with experience from leading fashion houses, whether LVMH, Kering and Valentino Fashion Group or Chanel, Bvlgari and Swarovski. Plus, they will benefit from educational experience from top institutes like Central St Martins, Royal College of Art, Yale and Parsons. “Saudi 100 Brands” will offer consumer-directed activities aimed at encouraging sales in the local market too. The first one will be held in Riyadh in December 2021, with e-sales outlets and a wholesale campaign to stimulate international sales, both slated to start in early 2022.
The #Saudi #Fashion Commission has launched a 100 Saudi Brands Program which aims to support #Saudi #entrepreneurs in the fashion industrypic.twitter.com/DA4GAk7Xkq
— SAPRAC (@SapracOrg) June 4, 2021
To achieve these aims, the Fashion Commission is joining forces with “Vogue Arabia” and regional retailers. “Vogue Arabia” is helping by providing media amplification and awareness to help fashion brands approach editorial and use social media the best way possible. Meanwhile, regional retailers will partake in virtual conferences and offer professional training and dedicated in-store space for exclusive Ramadan pop-up initiatives in March 2022, including sales operations. Through the acquisition of some of the “Saudi 100 Brands” products, retailers will play a major part in backing wholesale resort campaign sales across major fashion cities.
Saudi brands wishing to participate in the programme can register through: www.saudi100brands.com before June 20, 2021.
