Riyadh, November 18, 2024 – The Saudi Fashion Commission, in partnership with global luxury group Kering, has unveiled the Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, an ambitious competition aimed at identifying and supporting innovative startups driving sustainability in the fashion industry. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering creativity and promoting sustainable practices within the sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
The competition targets startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia, focusing on transformative solutions in areas such as customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection. The application process is now open, with a goal to shortlist 20 finalists by December. These finalists will attend an intensive boot camp in Riyadh, where they will participate in mentorship sessions and workshops designed to refine their key performance indicators (KPIs) and enhance their pitching strategies.
Following the boot camp, the top 10 proposals will proceed to the final jury evaluation phase. Projects will be judged based on their innovation, sustainability impact, and commercial viability. The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony in Riyadh in January 2025, where the top three winners will be announced.
The winners will be rewarded with a 10-day mentorship program in Paris, gaining access to Kering's sustainability teams and resources. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to showcase their groundbreaking innovations at the prestigious Change-Now Summit 2025, a global platform for advancing sustainability.
This initiative is part of a broader strategic collaboration between the Saudi Fashion Commission and Kering, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The partnership highlights a shared vision to advance sustainable innovation in the fashion industry, with Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a regional leader in this space.
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “This initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for fashion in Saudi Arabia.”
Kering Chief Sustainability Officer Marie-Claire Daveu echoed this sentiment, noting, “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”
The Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to creating a forward-thinking, globally competitive fashion industry that adheres to the highest sustainability standards. It is a testament to the Kingdom's efforts to blend tradition with innovation, positioning itself as a hub for sustainable fashion solutions.