The British fashion house will make its Middle East debut.
Riyadh Fashion Week returns from 16 to 21 October with a landmark moment for the region. Vivienne Westwood will open the 2025 edition at Palm Grove, a striking venue where the runway pays tribute to the palm tree as a national emblem of resilience and prosperity. The show marks the brand’s first presentation in the Middle East and sets the tone for a week that places Saudi creativity on the global stage.
For this debut, the house will present a limited collection of embroidered gowns created with Art of Heritage, the cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Saudi craftsmanship. The collaboration blends the couture expertise of Vivienne Westwood’s atelier with the artistry of local makers, resulting in gowns that feel distinctly modern while rooted in tradition. These new pieces will appear alongside Vivienne Westwood’s Spring Summer 2026 collection and a curated selection of archival designs, offering a full expression of the brand’s past, present and future.
Now in its third year, Riyadh Fashion Week 2025 will host more than 30 runway shows, spanning couture, ready-to-wear and streetwear. The opening show signals a significant shift for the platform, which welcomes international fashion houses for the first time. Established by the Fashion Commission under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the event supports the growth of the local fashion ecosystem and positions the Kingdom as a hub for cultural exchange and creative dialogue.
Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, said: “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. 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. Today, fashion must go beyond aesthetics – it must be a connection between cultures. ‘Global-local’ is a key concept for us and for this reason we have started collaborating on special projects and shows like this.”
With a global name like Vivienne Westwood opening Riyadh Fashion Week and a strong lineup of regional talent to follow, the event is set to be a defining showcase for Saudi fashion.
GO: Visit www.riyadhfashionweek.com for more information.