RIYADH — Vivienne Westwood is bringing its rebellious spirit to the Middle East for the first time, opening Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 with a runway show on Oct. 16 that marks a significant cultural exchange between British fashion heritage and Saudi artisanship.

The show, to be staged at a palm grove in Riyadh, a venue chosen to honor the palm tree’s status as a national symbol of life, resilience and prosperity, will present a capsule collection of embroidered gowns created in collaboration with Art of Heritage, a cultural institution dedicated to safeguarding Saudi Arabia‘s legacy of craftsmanship. These exclusive pieces, embroidered by Saudi artisans, will be showcased alongside Vivienne Westwood’s spring 2026 collection and select archival looks.

“This is the first time we are hosting a runway show in the Middle East, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to do this in Riyadh,” said Carlo D’Amario, chief executive officer of Vivienne Westwood. “We are working on a special collection of embroidered gowns, a result of the union of the expertise of our couture team and the craftsmanship of local artisans: a concrete way to promote local traditions through an international perspective.”

D’Amario emphasized that the collaboration reflects the house’s “global-local” philosophy. “Today, fashion must go beyond aesthetics. It must be a connection between cultures,” he said. As part of the show, about 100 students from local fashion schools have been invited to attend, with a mentoring session scheduled prior to the runway presentation.

For Princess Nourah bint Mohammed Al Faisal, CEO of Art of Heritage, the collaboration represents a meaningful moment for Saudi craftsmanship on the global stage. “Heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living force that shapes how we see ourselves and how we imagine the future,” she said. “Collaborating with the house of Vivienne Westwood on this collection is especially meaningful, as it shows how Saudi craftsmanship can speak to the world with authenticity and creativity.”

The Vivienne Westwood opening marks a pivotal evolution for Riyadh Fashion Week, which for the first time is opening its official calendar to international houses. Now in its third edition since its 2023 debut, the event has established itself as one of the Middle East’s most important cultural moments.

Running from Oct. 16 to 21, Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 will showcase more than 30 runway shows and fashion presentations spanning couture, ready-to-wear and streetwear for men and women. Set against some of Riyadh’s most famous landmarks, including Bedrock, Al Mamlaka and JAX, the program combines large-scale runway spectacles with intimate fashion showcases.

The designer lineup reflects the Kingdom’s position as a bridge between heritage and contemporary design. Saudi labels including Tima Abid and Atelier Hekayat will present couture; Abadia will showcase sustainable ready-to-wear; Hindamme will offer contemporary design, and 1886 will debut a new season of streetwear.

Initiated by the Fashion Commission under the Ministry of Culture, Riyadh Fashion Week plays a key role in driving the development of the local fashion ecosystem while aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a global destination for design, talent and cultural innovation. The Fashion Commission, founded in 2020, is leading the development of the Kingdom’s fashion sector by driving investment, building regulatory frameworks and supporting the next generation of Saudi fashion talent.

For Vivienne Westwood, the Riyadh collaboration aligns with decades of championing craftsmanship and heritage. The house has long integrated artisanal fabrics and hand-embellished details into its collections, engaging with local artisans and heritage-led production to sustain communities and support traditional skills worldwide.

The opening show promises to be a symbol of cultural exchange, demonstrating how global fashion houses and regional craftsmanship can create new narratives for the industry. As Princess Nourah noted, “It is more than fashion. It is about building bridges between histories, identities and creative worlds. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for Saudi artisans to share our story with clarity, beauty and confidence.”