Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 opens for Saudi, international brand submissions

As Riyadh Fashion Week (RFW) prepares for its highly anticipated third edition later this year, Saudi Arabia is inviting local and international designers to join the event. The official call for brand submissions is now live, with designers invited to apply for inclusion on the RFW calendar by July 15, 2025. Building on its success, Riyadh Fashion Week positions itself as a selective stage for both rising and well-known designers, attracting an audience that includes international fashion leaders, buyers, media, and influential tastemakers. This year’s edition aims to further elevate the visibility of designers and brands while expanding their global reach and industry impact. Both Saudi-based and international labels are encouraged to participate across categories including ready-to-wear, couture, menswear, and streetwear. By participating in Riyadh Fashion Week (RFW) and deepening partnerships with Saudi institutions and creatives, international brands can secure a foothold in a region laying the groundwork for a future-facing fashion ecosystem. Those who move now will gain a long-term edge — as collaborators, not just participants — in shaping a new fashion capital. “This is more than a runway. It is a statement of creative identity, innovation and ambition. Riyadh Fashion Week provides a high-impact opportunity for designers to tell their story on a global stage,” says Burak Cakmak, chief executive officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission. Having drawn over 8,850 attendees and showcased more than 35 Saudi designers in 2024, RFW has rapidly evolved into a landmark event on the regional fashion calendar. Under the direction of the Saudi Fashion Commission, the platform has become central to the kingdom’s broader cultural and creative development. The upcoming season will continue to feature a multi-format program, including runway shows, curated presentations, showroom exhibitions, retail pop-ups, and immersive fashion activations. An ambitious third edition As Riyadh continues to rise on the global fashion map, all eyes are on how this year’s edition will help define the region’s role in the industry’s future. Saudi Arabia first joined the global fashion week circuit with the launch of Riyadh Fashion Week in late 2023, positioning it as a key event for local design across eveningwear, streetwear, and ready-to-wear categories. The inaugural show featured 29 Saudi labels such as Abadia, Adnan Akbar, and Atelier Hekayat. By its second edition, the number of Saudi participants had grown to 37, including several backed by the Saudi Fashion Commission’s flagship mentorship initiative, Saudi 100 Brands. The event combined daily runway shows, a curated showroom, and citywide activations that merged cultural tradition with contemporary flair. The Gulf’s $80 billion evolution, from consumer to creator As mentioned in Jing Daily’s recent report Driving Luxury Revenue in the Middle East: KSA & UAE, the GCC’s fashion and luxury market is valued at a staggering $80 billion, according to the Saudi State of Fashion 2024 Report. In 2023, Saudi Arabia alone made up 41% of that figure — and it’s on track to outpace its regional neighbors in growth. The UAE follows as the second-largest apparel market, representing 36.8% of regional sales in 2024, according to Euromonitor International. But numbers only tell part of the story. Once viewed primarily as consumers of global fashion, the Gulf is now stepping into the role of creator. From Riyadh to Dubai, a new generation of designers is reshaping the regional style narrative — blending heritage with innovation, modesty with modernity. Backed by government initiatives and creative incubators, the region is no longer just watching the runways — it’s commanding them. A new fashion geography is taking shape, with cities like Dubai, Riyadh, and the Red Sea hosting their own fashion weeks and spotlighting regional talent. Once sidelined by the dominance of legacy events in New York, Paris, Milan, and London, the Middle East is steadily emerging as a vibrant player in the global style arena. Ultimately, Arab fashion today defies outdated clichés. While traditional garments like abayas and thobes remain iconic, designers across the region are pushing boundaries — from avant-garde couture to trend-driven streetwear inspired by youth movements. For luxury brands, this shift signals more than just a creative renaissance — it’s a business opportunity. These fashion weeks have become crucial touchpoints for understanding consumer behavior, discovering rising stars, and building deeper ties with a rapidly evolving market. The challenge now: can the region’s events command the same prestige and global pull as the industry’s long-established capitals?

Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 opens for Saudi, international brand submissions

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Published July 11, 2025

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Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 opens for Saudi, international brand submissions