RIYADH: The Misk Foundation’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh and the Saudi Fashion Commission signed an agreement on Monday designed to empower the booming fashion industry in the Kingdom.
The parties said the partnership will enhance cooperation between them to develop education and training programs for young Saudi designers, explore opportunities for the incubation of entrepreneurism, and attract talent and investors to the fashion industry in the country. It also lays the foundation for collaborations to host a variety of fashion-related events and festivals in the city, they added.
The commission has also signed a lease at creative center The City Hub to build a world-class studio for product sampling and prototyping that will be equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, technology and expertise to enable the growth of the fashion-design ecosystem.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in Diriyah by Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, deputy minister of culture and vice-chairman of the fashion commission board; David Henry, the CEO of Nonprofit City; and Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission.
Cakmak stressed the significant role the fashion sector plays in the Kingdom’s cultural scene and stressed the need for cooperation to develop it, saying: “Fashion is a true reflection of Saudi heritage and identity. The signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects the commitment of the Fashion Commission to advance the growth of the Saudi fashion sector and enhance its contribution to the local economy in line with Vision 2030.”
Henry said: “This partnership is an important step toward enhancing the Kingdom’s fashion industry and aligns with the City’s vision to cultivate innovation and creativity in Saudi youth.
“We look forward to working together with the Fashion Commission to create opportunities that inspire the next generation of talent and cement the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in the industry while showcasing Saudi culture.”
Nonprofit City, which will be the first development of its kind in the world, is located in the Irqah neighborhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on a site spanning more than 3.4 square kilometers. Developers say it will offer unparalleled retail experiences by providing a platform for local fashion brands to pioneer innovative experiences that are creative, educational, engaging and transformational.