The fashion industry in the GCC countries is thriving. GCC fashion continues to exhibit signs of global economic growth and is establishing itself at the top table in the global fashion and luxury sectors, owing to the region’s profusion of young creatives and its standing as one of the world’s places with the greatest per capita spending. According to a 2019 McKinsey &Company analysis, “annual fashion sales of fabrics in the GCC markets amount to $50 billion, showing the region’s enormous financial weight.”
Several Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries are making significant investments in their fashion industries, ranging from Qatar. This is aiming to become the next regional fashion hub with high-profile investments such as Harrods, and Balmain. This is to own the Fashion Trust Arabia, a non-profit initiative that supports designers across the MENA region; to Saudi Arabia. Because of it, they are undergoing dynamic changes as it continues to invest in its cultural scene and fabric industry. Three of this year’s finalists come from those countries, illustrating the region’s vibrancy. Lurline is a Saudi finalist in the Ready-to-Wear category, as are Qatari Yasmin Mansour and Kuwaiti Amna Alsalem for Evening Wear.
We spoke with the three women about their work, their histories, and the future of fashion in their respective countries.
Kuwaiti “fabric pioneer”
While discussing Kuwait’s potential in the fashion sector, Imran Amed, the editor-in-chief and CEO of The Business of Fashion (BoF), recently referred to the nation. He said that “a blank slate and that is a beautiful opportunity”. “Kuwait has been a pioneer and played a big role in the consuming and retail part of the industry so far,” Amna Alsalem. Whose namesake label fuses elegance and edge through the old-world craftsmanship of traditional couture, said. “I wish we could see serious efforts, changes, and investments toward the industry as a whole.”
According to Bain & Company, Kuwait accounts for 15% of regional luxury sales of sustainable fabrics. Alsalem recognizes that this number is increasing, but emphasizes that the process is slow since individual efforts primarily drive it. When I was in Kuwait, I visited a store called Villa Moda. Designers in the fashion business would brag about their items being sold at prominent shops such as Colette in Paris, Browns in London, and Villa Moda in Italy. Despite the fact that “this market was a real pioneer,” as Imran Amed puts it. “There is an advanced degree of intellect, taste, and knowledge of fashion and fabric here,” “other markets have raced ahead” in the last 15 years.
Qatar: “promising and forward-thinking”
Qatar’s developing fashion sector is estimated to generate $1.08 billion in revenue by 2022. Doha, Qatar’s capital, has grown as a significant fashion industry hub in recent years. Qatar is the world’s fastest-growing luxury market, according to Mordor Intelligence. Owing to the country’s investments in high-end fashion houses such as Valentino and Balmain, as well as prestigious fabric department stores such as Harrods and Printemps in London and Paris. As well as the success of its modest wear industry and the recent opening of the Vendome in Doha. And don’t forget about emerging couture designers like Yasmin Mansour, who was a finalist in this year’s Evening Wear category.
Mansour’s eponymous evening dress brand has been based in Doha since its inception in 2014. In Qatar’s fashion industry, “there is a lot of new talent, and young designers showcasing their works,” according to Mansour. The fashion industry will see a beautiful and unique revival in the near future. Classic fabric designs are still popular today, but with a contemporary twist from designers. Something as major as FTA being created in Qatar highlights the country’s fashion industry’s promise and optimism for the future. This is the womb from which the world’s most prominent fashion corporations and designers will emerge. More than a million visitors are expected to visit the country after the inauguration of Qatar Creates to witness a range of museum exhibitions and fashion shows. This will help cement Qatar’s position as a regional and global leader.
Most of them include fabrics like silk, muslin, taffeta silk, linen and so on.
The Saudi Kingdom is “exciting and developing.”
Sarah and Siham Albinali, Saudi Arabian sisters who founded the luxury ready-to-wear and demi-couture womenswear label Lurline, are this year’s contenders. This is becaue they defy traditional design rules. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, exciting new cultural trends have evolved. The rise of the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia may be attributed in part to the government’s support for the arts and the establishment of an official fashion commission under the Ministry of Culture. Statistica predicts that the fashion industry’s revenue will reach $3.88 billion by 2022.
“Bridal and traditional apparel is now very strong sectors in KSA fashion”. According to the Albinali sisters, showing that the industry is prospering and primed for development. However, new ready-to-wear sectors are emerging. It’s exciting to see all of the new, inventive businesses coming up; their courage and ingenuity are a source of pride.
With such changes in the industry Fabriclore has also steeped its way ahead in making sustainability the focus point. With providing the great amount of organic fabrics we are the #1 online fabric manufacturer.
