Saudi Arabia is home to a burgeoning fashion scene thanks to the rise of saudi creative agencies and local designers such as Nasiba Hafiz and Arwa Al Banawi who are paving the way for the next generation of fashion talents.
And now, the Ministry of Culture and Saudi Fashion Commission is making sure it continues to thrive. On December 3, Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of a Fashion Incubation Program, aimed to help nurture Saudi fashion enthusiasts and support local labels to establish themselves.
As part of the nation’s plans for Vision 2030, the first-of-its-kind program will work to sharpen the skills of young talents and encourage them to experiment . It will also provide entrepreneurs with the chance to collaborate with major fashion key players and work with government entities, regulators and investors.
The three-phase program will start off with a fashion hackathon, a three-day virtual event where participants can work in groups to solve complex problems and develop new creative ideas and prototypes. The winners will receive a five-day trip to Milan Fashion Week, while three runners-up will be awarded with other prizes including financial aids.
The second part will be a five-day intensive bootcamp, aiming to train creatives on how to move from abstract ideas to business concepts while improving their entrepreneurial skills. The participants will receive guidance from regional and international fashion professionals.
The last phase will be the fashion incubator, a more progressive program in which the best start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs are chosen to further their projects with continuous mentorship and support.
You can apply now for the fashion hackathon on the program’s website.
The Fashion Incubation Program will start on January 14, 2021
Main image: Arwa Al Banawi
