A Guide to Riyadh Fashion Week 2023

From fashion's finest to the best food spots in town, here's our guide to the first-ever fashion week in the capital

Hayley Alexander

17 October 23

Riyadh Fashion Week 2023 Image source: Mohammed Ashi

Riyadh is poised to take its place on the global fashion stage from October 20 - 23, with the inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week.

The much-anticipated event promises to set new standards in the region's fashion landscape - as buyers, celebrities, VIPs and fashion aficionados from around the world await what promises to be a fusion of culture, style and luxury.

Riyadh Fashion Week reflects the city's emergence as a trendsetting metropolis. Showcasing the remarkable diversity and talent of the Kingdom's brands and designers, it will provide buyers with styles and pieces that offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Saudi fashion. From couture to ready-to-wear, the spring/summer collections will be an exploration of creativity, tradition and innovation.

As it goes global with a live stream bringing glitz and glamour right to your screens, its mission is clear: champion the growth of the fashion industry at home and abroad. Emphasising sustainability and cultural appreciation, Riyadh Fashion Week is ultimately a platform for local designers to unveil their fresh perspectives and let their creativity go wild – empowering them to push boundaries in a region renowned for its rich cultural heritage, intricate embellishments, and bold silhouettes.

“For the first time ever, we are welcoming the global fashion community to the epicentre of Saudi fashion, here in Riyadh. The event will showcase the best of our creative talent, allowing yet another opportunity for our brands to connect with the world. Whether you join us in person or via the live stream, we can’t wait to highlight what Saudi fashion has to offer,” Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said in a statement.

Spotlight on Mohammed Ashi

Saudi fashion icon Mohammed Ashi has redefined style in the region, with his distinct twist on tradition. He also achieved a historic milestone as the first designer from the Kingdom to feature on the official Paris Haute Couture Week roster. Ashi's work – a fusion of intricate detail, groundbreaking silhouettes, and originality – has graced international red carpets and fashion spreads, as he consistently sets trends rather than follows them.

What truly sets Ashi apart is his ability to challenge preconceived notions of fashion in the Middle East. He has not only introduced Saudi talent to the international fashion circuit, he has redefined Saudi fashion through his commitment to craftsmanship and creativity as well. His influence has ignited the aspirations of a new generation of designers, inspiring them to dream bigger and bolder. Ashi's legacy continues to shape the fashion world, proving that innovation and talent know no boundaries.

The Essential Fashion Week Guide

Brands to Watch

Fashion weeks around the world are known to highlight the collections of established designers and fashion houses, but fashion weeks are where future trends are predicted, and new creators come to the fore.

Here are Saudi brands that will be gracing the catwalks this October, and that should be on your radar:

1886, Abadia, Adnan Akbar, Arwa Al Banawi, Atelier Hekayat, Dar Alhanouf, Dazluq, Eman Joharjy, Fatima Abdul Qader, Hajruss, Ala Algharabawi, Honayda, Jubb, Kaf by Kaf, Lomar, Mazroud, MD29, moJa maJka, Mona Al-Shebil, Nabela Nazar, Noble & Fresh, Not Boring, Nour AlDhahri, Noura, Sulaiman, Pavone, Tima Abid, Uscita, Yasmina Q and Yousef Akbar.

Gastronomy and Style - The Perfect Pairing

Riyadh Fashion Week is not only about style; it’s a vibrant social and cultural gathering.

As fashion luminaries, celebrities, and tastemakers gather in the capital, different culinary experiences await the most discerning palates. Restaurateurs are abuzz with anticipation, as Riyadh Fashion Week presents a golden opportunity for them to showcase culinary delights that complement the style and sophistication at this high-profile event.

With so many to choose from, here are our top picks for dining during the week:

Raoul's

One stand out establishment is Raoul's. Founded by French brothers Guy and Serge Raoul in 1975 in Soho, it's now a piece of New York bistro history. In Riyadh, Raoul's offers a welcoming atmosphere and an affordable menu featuring fine steaks and fresh seafood, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of fashion festivities. Book your table and enjoy the fusion of fashion and French cuisine.
@raoulsrestaurant.sa

Flamingo Room by Tashas

Treat your taste buds between shows or savour culinary masterpieces at the end of the day, with a dash of African glamour. At Flamingo Room by Tashas, you can expect Mozambique-style calamari, lobster linguine, and other satisfying plates. If you’re not in a dining mood, sip on refreshing mocktails or try savouries, pastries, sweets, and sharing plates in an intimate yet chic setting. You can read more in our full review in Top Tables.
@flamingoroomksa

ROKA Riyadh

Located in Tahlia Gate, ROKA Riyadh is set to become a go-to spot for those in the know, blending industrial chic with that original ROKA spirit. Known for its award-winning Japanese robatayaki, the heart of the concept lies in socialising around the robata grill – and favourites like kankoku fu kohitsuji (lamb cutlets with sesame cucumber) promise an unforgettable contemporary culinary journey.
@rokarestaurant.ksa

Bianca

This restaurant plus bakery is the creation of Gianni and Nicola Vietina (the masterminds behind Madeo Ristorante), in partnership with Four Seasons hotel's executive pastry chef, Federico Fernandez. Named after the Vietina brothers' grandmother, and offering a menu that perfectly blends Italian, Argentinean, and French influences, Bianca is a true testament to culinary diversity – and a cosy haven to enjoy good coffee and decadent pastries.
@bianca.saudi

LPM Riyadh

This is a chic retreat for the fashion-forward crowd – a place to savour fine cuisine and soak in that cosmopolitan atmosphere. Located in Al Faisaliah district, LPM is where you can explore French-Mediterranean fare, through an ever-evolving menu crafted by global executive chef Adriano Cattaneo. We’re talking escargots, beef carpaccio, fresh seafood, vegetable terrine, and more – enjoyed in chic surroundings or on the alfresco terrace evoking the charm of the French Riviera.
@lpmriyadh

Sadelle’s Riyadh

First opened in downtown Manhattan in 2016, Sadelle’s Riyadh outpost brings a taste of New York to the Saudi capital's culinary scene. Its diverse menu is here to impress: from baked potatoes to grilled branzino, pizza to skirt steak, every dish pays homage to New York’s flavours. Designed by visionary Ken Fulk, Sadelle's offers a sophisticated ambience with views of the picturesque Mansard Riyadh patio – and as the sun sets, the eatery transforms into the perfect evening hangout. You can read more about Sadelle's in our full review in Top Tables.
@sadellesriyadh

Les Deux Magots Riyadh

This establishment brings the charm of quaint Parisian cafés to Saudi’s fine-dining scene. One of the oldest cafés in the French capital, Les Deux Magots is where art, fashion, literature, and politics converge. A favourite spot of some of France’s famous poets and creatives, and an ideal place for people-watching, this café played a key role in the bookmarking of Parisian culture. It also solidified its place in literature in 1993 with the creation of the Prix des Deux Magots, one of France’s most prestigious literary distinctions.
@lesdeuxmagots.sa