Conscious fashion consumption in Saudi Arabia

As more regional and global shoppers oust fast fashion for more purposeful wardrobes, Saudi Arabia is pivoting to a more conscious conversation around fashion consumption, a discussion spearheaded by Vogue Business’ event on Thursday, in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Trade and Saudi’s Fashion Commission. (AN photo by Abdulaziz Alarifi)
As more regional and global shoppers oust fast fashion for more purposeful wardrobes, Saudi Arabia is pivoting to a more conscious conversation around fashion consumption, a discussion spearheaded by Vogue Business’ event on Thursday, in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Trade and Saudi’s Fashion Commission. (AN photo by Abdulaziz Alarifi)
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Updated 21 March 2023

Conscious fashion consumption in Saudi Arabia

Conscious fashion consumption in Saudi Arabia
  • Vogue Business event discusses sustainability, use of AI in fashion industry

RIYADH: Global industry experts discussed at an event on Thursday how regional and global shoppers are trading fast fashion for more purposeful wardrobes as Saudi Arabia also pivots toward a more conscious conversation around fashion consumption.

The discussion, spearheaded by Vogue Business in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Trade and Saudi’s Fashion Commission, was held under the theme “Transformation and consciousness: Shaping the future of luxury.”

“When you look at how the Fashion Commission is building the new fashion ecosystem in the country, it’s looking at every aspect of the value chain to ensure that elements of sustainability are embedded in each step,” Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission, told Arab News.




A panel of industry leaders came together on Thursday for Vogue Business' "Luxury’s digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and beyond" discussion, as part of a wider conversation about the importance of conscious consumption. (AN photo by Abdulaziz Alarifi)

As part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan to induct sustainable actions in all sectors, efforts to understand circular consumption and support local talents are on the rise.

“We are now building our legacy,” said Rae Joseph, fashion entrepreneur, industry consultant and founder of the vintage fashion house 1954. “(Saudis) have always been conscious consumers…We have a concept of ‘ihsan’ in our religion, which is to do good and contribute to where you are.”

Her own interpretation of conscious fashion in the Saudi context is defined by mindful consumption in sustainable ways.




'We are now building our legacy,' said Rae Joseph, fashion entrepreneur, industry consultant, and founder of the vintage fashion house 1954. (AN photo by Abdulaziz Alarifi)

The past few years have demonstrated a social awakening globally in terms of mass production, uncovering underlying issues such as labor law violations, unethical material sourcing and environmental infringement.

Consciousness in fashion can be defined in many ways, depending on the values of each individual, and can range from respecting culture and traditions to prioritizing working conditions and innovating production and consumption methods.  

The influx of digital resources and evolving technologies is also paving the way for younger generations to create awareness and design solutions around conscious consumerism.

The digitally savvy Saudi population is creating a pliable environment to lead in sustainable practices in the fashion sector, from materials to manufacturing, retail and brand-building.

The Fashion Commission has worked to establish a research center focused on constructing new sustainable materials, while also developing an advanced manufacturing space in Riyadh that will allow access to high-quality production methods using the right materials and processes to serve a local population and diminish import emissions.

The commission will utilize the latest technologies, allowing for innovative techniques such as digital rendering, 3D designs and digital pattern-making to directly reduce environmental and assembly impact within the fashion industry.

“When it comes to brands, we are encouraging them to understand their consumer needs, produce only what’s needed, and create new ways of engaging with them so there’s an optimization of inventory management,” Cakmak said.

From a consumer’s end, the commission is continuing to embed conscious behaviors, launching initiatives that promote sustainable practices, such as the Global Fashion Exchange Fashion Swap last December, in order to raise awareness among buyers on the importance of longevity and reuse of goods in the market.

“In last year’s Swap Shop, we had over 5,500 items that were brought for swapping, and 60 percent of them have been exchanged between customers…(while) 40 percent of them have been donated to a charity,” Cakmak said.

Artificial intelligence and new technologies play a crucial role in conscious consumption, experts said at the event. In order for brands to innovate their storytelling concepts, stepping into the Web3 and metaverse world is a way to future-proof their businesses.

Dr. Ahmed Zaidi, co-founder and CEO of Hyran Technologies, told Arab News: “In the context of Saudi…I think that understanding the consumer here is so underrated. Lots of people think that they can come from Paris or London and set up shop here, and they fail at it because they don’t understand the consumer.

“Whether it’s metaverse, or anything, conceptualizing it for the consumer in the local market 100 percent has to happen.”

Hyran Technologies is a London-based innovative AI platform that helps brands and suppliers respond to consumer demand, increase profitability and reduce waste. The company is working with the Fashion Commission to see how they can support Saudi brands in their journey to sustainable development.

Zaidi imagines a future in which airplanes substitute duty-free magazines with custom shopping suggestions suited for each individual passenger. Or in lieu of conventional online shopping sites, customers will log into a brand’s site to view a personalized “museum” space that is intelligently curated to show the items that the brand believes will serve each customer’s wants and needs.

Zaidi said: “Where we are with AI, right now, you can have a much better representation of your consumers, which means you can give them better recommendations. But they’re also portable.

“What that means is that you can use the same representation (or customer DNA) online, on your phone and in-store as well. When someone walks into a store, they can scan their phone, and then you’ll know exactly what they want, how they want it, in which way they want it.”

Cakmak said. “When it comes to artificial intelligence, brands are individually experimenting themselves and it’s intended to provide benefits for optimization of either their products, where they’re selling, and how much they need to produce, or potentially look for technologies that can be used for consumer engagement.”

 


International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition
Updated 27 min 28 sec ago

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition

International artists explore Saudi landscape in new exhibition
  • Misk Art Institute’s latest Masaha Residency art showcase features 11 global and local artists and two writers whose

RIYADH: The Misk Art Institute’s latest Masaha Residency art showcase features 11 global and local artists and two writers whose projects explore tradition in the context of social development.

The fifth cycle of the three-month cross-cultural program brought together an international cohort of artists to develop fresh, research-driven art projects. Through architecture, music, and culture, several artists discovered traces of their own homes in the Saudi landscape.

Fahdah Althonayan, director of the education department at Misk, told Arab News: “Each cycle has its own uniqueness. Within this one, we had the opportunity to experiment with dual artists … it is a new thing that we tried with (them) to work together on their artwork, which surprised us as well.

Palestinian artist Areej Khaoud, who currently lives and works in London, took to the marketplaces of Riyadh to find remanences of belonging in her piece ‘Still Hungry.’ (Supplied)

“The variety of Saudi, khaleeji, and foreigners from different continents was amazing. It is an enriching experience.”

Ilyas Hajji, a photographer, and Nastya Indrikova, a researcher, are a Russian duo who worked on reconstructing the Hajj pilgrimage route, which was often dangerous.

Although it was modernized, many still struggled to make the trip from Russia, including the Muslim population in Dagestan during and after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Aleena Khan

The pair used items brought back from Hajj to highlight the effect on millions who were free to travel after the union’s dissolution.

Palestinian artist Areej Kaoud, who lives and works in London, took to the marketplaces of Riyadh to find a sense of belonging in her piece “Still Hungry.”

“In all these spaces, they pick things. You think that the owner is just trying to sell you things but he’s also trying to heal his own uprootedness,” Kaoud told Arab News.

The exhibition, which spans a wide range of mediums, is on display at Riyadh's Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall until June 10. (Supplied)

Kaoud’s studio is the backdrop for a video documenting the offerings of a market staffed by diaspora from other countries, who preserve and share the traditions of back home.

The studio wall is covered with phrases including “Can one heal uprootedness with food?,” “Is being home a state of ‘non-hunger’?” and “Insatiable in diaspora.”

Liao Lihong, a Chinese artist living in Paris, merged an abacus with the shapes of a qanun and an oud to create a unique musical instrument.

The exhibition, which spans a wide range of mediums, is on display at Riyadh's Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall until June 10. (Supplied)

“When I studied in China in elementary school, we had a class using the abacus, but now we do not use it anymore because we have calculators,” she said. “But the sound (they make) was always in my mind. The idea is when people use the abacus to calculate numbers, it also plays music."

Aleena Khan bolsters Saudi Arabia’s historical first — a female astronaut and her colleague reaching the International Space Station last month.

Her artwork “A Calling from the Moon” toys with a popular myth in Pakistan that the Adhan, the call to prayer, was heard by Neil Armstrong on the moon.

Her work draws comparisons between the moon’s landscape and an Arabian desert.

She said: “I started to draw what the material on the moon looks like and then I sourced anything that looks similar to it and took it to the desert and shot it.

“What if these landscapes were one?”

In the fragments of Riyadh’s demolished architecture, artist Dia Mrad found hope for their new beginning in his studio. The Lebanese photographer spent months researching and photographing changes in the city’s neighborhoods to create the work “Traditions of Change.”

In line with his practice, which looks to extract narratives from a built environment, he screen-printed fallen pieces of debris with photos of homes that are scheduled for demolition in Riyadh.

“The Kingdom goes through cycles of change — every 30 or 40 years, a big change happens. The latest change that’s happening is Vision 2030, and it’s such a massive change that it’s affecting everything and it’s manifesting largely within the built environment. The history of a city is embedded within its materiality,” Mrad explained.

The exhibition, which spans various mediums including installation, textile, silkscreen and Arabic writing among others, can be viewed at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall in Riyadh until June 10.

 


Saudi speech-language pathologist colors her world with crochet

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
Updated 26 min 18 sec ago

Saudi speech-language pathologist colors her world with crochet

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)
  • Al-Sunbul said: “Amigurumi is a more complex method than crocheting a shawl because it requires a lot more tugging and calls for a particular type of yarn

RIYADH: A Saudi speech-language pathologist with a passion for the arts has made a name for herself creating dolls for children with special hearing needs.

Marya Al-Sunbul’s interest in art began at a young age when she started drawing and painting as a hobby but initially her career path took a different route.

She said: “I did not get encouragement ... because it was during a time when most artists either became art teachers or had trouble finding a job.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

“So, I decided to take the medical route and studied to become a speech-language pathologist and completely stopped drawing and painting.”

Al-Sunbul had a moment of epiphany five years ago when her father passed away. She described it as being “in a state of shock,” and she asked herself, “why wait? Why don’t I go back to doing what I adore and fulfil my dreams?”

She returned to painting and joined a workshop with Saudi artist Zaman Jassim, but it was no longer the same for her. “I felt as if painting wasn’t my passion,” she added.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

Her admiration for handmade crafts and love of “color and creating things by hand” sparked her interest in learning how to crochet.

She said: “After scrolling through a website with the most beautiful, crocheted shawls decorated with flowers and bursting with color, I decided not to purchase anything, but instead create them myself.”

The world of crocheting became an “ocean of lessons” for her.

The world of crocheting became an ‘ocean of lessons’ for Marya Al-Sunbul. (Supplied)

“Every time I learned something new, before I could even finish learning it, I was anticipating the next thing,” Al-Sunbul added.

At the peak of her fascination with crochet she was learning six or seven techniques at a time.

“It took me to another dimension and all the colors were so joyful. Whenever I looked at crochet shawls, I would be amazed.”

She discovered amigurumi, a Japanese method of crocheting that is used to create stuffed dolls and animals.

Al-Sunbul said: “Amigurumi is a more complex method than crocheting a shawl because it requires a lot more tugging and calls for a particular type of yarn.

“My hands hurt for an entire week due to the intricate work, stitching, and manual strength needed, but I really enjoy making them.”

She also took an online course to improve her skills and to learn how to make specific styles of amigurumi with detail that gives the impression the dolls are drawn.

In her work as a speech pathologist, Al-Sunbul often makes dolls for her young patients.

“My focus is on children’s hearing rehabilitation using cochlear implants, so I made a doll that is wearing a cochlear implant to represent a child with hearing impairment. It made me really happy to have done that,” she added.

Al-Sunbul makes custom-made dolls for customers throughout the Kingdom, along with pieces using macrame, a type of crocheting technique that involves knotting instead of weaving.

She is currently working on expanding her collection of crocheted items and dolls for a future exhibition.

“Creating handcrafted art made me calmer and more focused. It offers a great sense of relaxation and I absolutely adore that,” she said.

For more information on her work visit Instagram at @crochetmarya20.

 


Saudi Arabia’s development program hosts Yemeni scholarship students

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
Updated 25 min 9 sec ago

Saudi Arabia’s development program hosts Yemeni scholarship students

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber. (SPA)
  • The ceremony in Riyadh, held at the university’s headquarters, also showcased the development efforts launched in Yemen through the SDRPY, including in the education sector

RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen hosted Yemeni scholarship students at King Saud University in Riyadh to support their studies and scientific research, the SPA reported on Friday.

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, general supervisor of SDRPY, said that the Kingdom is keen to improve the lives of the Yemeni people with the leadership of the country’s government by providing education and learning opportunities.

The university provides programs that develops students’ skills and enhances their knowledge and skill capabilities.

The ceremony in Riyadh, held at the university’s headquarters, also showcased the development efforts launched in Yemen through the SDRPY, including in the education sector.

Of SDRPY’s 229 development projects, 52 have been education initiatives, targeting improved teaching and learning opportunities, and promoting inclusive environments.

SDRPY’s projects and initiatives have distributed more than 500,000 textbooks, constructed and equipped 31 new model schools, secured buses to transport school and university students, and provided about 13,000 pieces of furniture to model schools.

The University of Aden has also been supported through several projects, including a scheme for the Faculty of Pharmacy to equip 18 scientific laboratories. The university’s Faculty of Law also had its criminal laboratory equipped with new technology, and an SDRPY initiative was launched to provide safe transportation for male and female students.

Other SDRPY projects in the education sector include a project to rehabilitate and equip universities and develop the University of Sheba Region in Marib Governorate. This project has increased the university’s capacity and improved access to tertiary education.

 

 


Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative
Updated 02 June 2023

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative

Education ministers call for nominations for ‘Gifted Arabs’ initiative
  • Saudi-led scheme invests in young gifted, creative people
  • Initiative set up in 2021 ‘has been very successful,’ its chief says

RABAT: Arab countries have been asked to nominate students to take part in the Saudi-led “Gifted Arabs” initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The call was made during the Arab education ministers’ 13th conference, which was held recently in Rabat under the auspices of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
The initiative is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity in collaboration with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
“The Kingdom’s initiative has been very successful and focuses on investing in young … gifted and creative people,” said Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa, secretary-general of the foundation, known as Mawhiba.
Such investment was nurturing for gifted Arabs and empowered them to lead change and create the future, she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Khaled Al-Sharif, director general of Mawhiba’s Center of Excellence, thanked the Arab ministers and the conference organizers in Morocco for their interest in the initiative, which was launched in 2021.
He stressed the need to invest in education in general and specific programs for gifted and creative individuals.
The ministers’ conference was organized by Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in cooperation with the National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, and in partnership with ALECSO. Its title was: “Future of Education in the Arab World in the Digital Transformation Era.”


Saudi Arabia, China to enhance cooperation in energy fields

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman meets with Zhang Jianhua in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman meets with Zhang Jianhua in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 17 sec ago

Saudi Arabia, China to enhance cooperation in energy fields

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman meets with Zhang Jianhua in Riyadh. (SPA)
  • The meeting discussed the importance of ensuring the security of energy supply to markets, joint projects to convert crude oil into petrochemicals and innovative uses of hydrocarbons

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has met Zhang Jianhua, administrator of the National Energy Administration of China and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh.

They discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries in various fields of energy, in order to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, and to reflect the two countries’ efforts to diversify and develop their economies, the SPA reported on Friday.

The meeting also discussed the importance of ensuring the security of energy supply to markets, joint projects to convert crude oil into petrochemicals and innovative uses of hydrocarbons.

Nuclear fuel and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, national projects in uranium mining, electrical projects, renewable energy and clean hydrogen were also part of the talks.

They also touched on the two countries’ endeavor to enhance their cooperation in the energy sector supply chains, and the importance of this cooperation to achieve energy transitions in a sustainable manner.