Runway to Reality: Riyadh Fashion Week

Beyoncé in Ashi Studio, Nicole Kidman in Yousef Akbar, Alicia Keys in KAF by KAF – A-listers are donning eclectic Saudi fits on the red carpet and in photoshoots. But it’s not just celebrities who make a statement with what they wear. For many, fashion is a key form of self-expression, and you can tell a lot about a person by how they like to dress: the colors, the fabrics, the cuts and patterns. For Saudis, this is no different. Whether it’s casual-chic menswear that transforms traditional designs or intricate evening dresses that bring themes of the natural world to the red carpet, Saudi fashion today expresses a rich heritage and a culture that’s open to the world.

The fashion world’s eyes were on the Kingdom of Style in Autumn/Fall 2024, where more than 30 Saudi fashion houses hit the runway with dazzling couture, stylish streetwear, and ready-to-wear designs. Threads from established designers like Yahya Al Bishri and 1886 shared the runway with some breakout stars, who got to see their concepts come to life before an international audience. Whether you’re into earth tones and eveningwear or neon colors and streetwear, these designs were both distinctively Saudi and so unmistakably stylish, you wouldn’t look out of place wherever you live.

The format of the show was reimagined, giving visitors a taste of Saudi hospitality by beginning after sunset and extending late into the night, with plenty of snacks, tea, and coffee. And this year, Riyadh itself was part of the show, with the five-day event taking place in three iconic locations. Days 1 and 2 were held on the grounds of Tuwaiq Palace, a fortress-like complex of sprawling terraces and oasis-like pools overlooking Riyadh’s cityscape on one side and the valley of Wadi Hanifa on the other. Day 3 took the show to Digital City, where the four curved buildings which frame the arena-like central plaza welcomed visitors with bursts of colored light against the night sky. The week wrapped among the art galleries and interactive exhibits of the JAX District – a former industrial district which has transformed into something of an open-air canvas for the Kingdom’s creative minds.

Can’t wait till next year? No FOMO! The Saudi Fashion Commission also organizes the Red Sea Fashion Week (RSFW) in the Summer. RSFW is held outdoors, against the backdrop of the Kingdom’s gorgeous Red Sea coast, and showcases summer fits and resort wear. In keeping with Red Sea Global’s culture of regenerative tourism and biodiversity, RSFW also highlights sustainable fashion and inclusiveness. Keep your eye on their socials for the next edition and come see the hottest looks strutting down the runway in the Kingdom of Style!