The first edition of Saudi Fashion@Saudi Lifestyle Week kicks off on 6 October, an exhibition project that will conclude on 8 October in Riyadh, at the RICEC – Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The new event presents a selection of collections from Italian companies on the Saudi market, with over 140 international brands, mainly from Europe. Of these, 49 Italian brands will be featured in an area dedicated to their new collections of clothing, footwear, leather goods and accessories for men, women and children, together with 14 textile companies.
Saudi Fashion@Saudi Lifestyle Week is organised by Honegger and REC – Riyadh Exhibition Company, in collaboration with Ente Moda Italia, Associazione Italiana Pellicceria, Assocalzaturifici, Assopellettieri, Confindustria Moda and supported by the Marche Region. On-site promotion is handled by the Niche Arabia agency, one of the leading players in fashion on the Arabian Peninsula.
A destination of great interest for Made in Italy companies
The opening ceremony was attended by Prince Saud bin Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and local institutions, while the opening evening brought together exhibitors, institutions and a selection of buyers and influencers. During the three days of Saudi Fashion@Saudi Lifestyle Week, there will also be a rich programme of seminars, panels and initiatives with guests from both the Arab world and internationally, all connected to the world of fashion.
“In the first half of 2025, Italian textile and clothing exports to Saudi Arabia reached over €49 million, driven in particular by clothing (€37.4 million, accounting for over 75% of the total). The textile sector also performed well, with a share of €12 million (+23.5% on the same period in 2024),” commented Silvana Pezzoli, president of Ente Moda Italia and deputy vice-president of Confindustria Moda.
Despite ranking 49th among destinations (0.3% of the total), this country remains a strategic target for Made in Italy companies. Therefore, Saudi Fashion@Saudi Lifestyle Week – https://saudilifestyleweek.com/ – represents an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, promote Italian production and, above all, foster new partnerships.
A highly dynamic market
Riyadh is synonymous with speed and innovation, while its region is the economic centre of Saudi Arabia and one of the main hubs in the Middle East, capable of attracting talent, businesses and tourists.
As Alberto Scaccioni, CEO of Ente Moda Italia and Saudi Fashion@Saudi Lifestyle Week, pointed out, ‘in recent years, the Saudi economy has recorded one of the highest growth rates in the G20, accompanied by steady population growth. During 2024, bilateral trade in the clothing sector between Italy and Saudi Arabia showed strong dynamism’. This dynamism is highlighted by the +18.5% increase in Italian exports, reaching a total value of €90.8 million. This result is due in particular to the clothing sector, which exceeded €64 million in exports (+21.6%), followed by knitwear, with €26.2 million (+11.2%), and hosiery (+40.5%).