With 1st Saudi designer set to show in Paris Fashion Week, kingdom sees big opportunity in luxury wear despite repression of women's rights, LGBTQ community
Saudi Arabia is continuing its multi-billion-dollar entry into all aspects of global culture, hitting a new milestone on Thursday with the first Saudi designer presenting at Paris Fashion Week.
First Saudi at Paris Fashion Week underlines dramatic changes france24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from france24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Mohammed Ashi is the first Saudi to join the week of Parisian haute couture. He has already dressed Queen Rania of Jordan, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Lady Gaga. His promotion coincides with Riyadh's announcement of its own fashion week in October. The Saudi Fashion Commission anticipates that retail sales of the sector will grow by 48% in the country between 2021 and 2025, reaching $ 32 billion. But the kingdom is facing a pitfall, with a fashion industry where LGBTQIA+ themes are present and many designers claim their homosexuality.