Cultural Evening with Brunello Cucinelli: The Cultural Development Fund (CDF), in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, hosted an event in AlUla featuring renowned luxury fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli, aiming to support Saudi creatives and entrepreneurs in the cultural sector through innovation and knowledge exchange.
Riyadh, January 04, 2025 – In a captivating cultural evening held at AlUla, the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, welcomed a distinguished guest, renowned luxury fashion designer and global entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli. The event marked another milestone in the CDF's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's burgeoning creative sector. It attracted a diverse group of beneficiaries from both the CDF and the Fashion Commission, underscoring the growing synergy between the cultural and entrepreneurial landscapes in the Kingdom.
This event was part of the CDF’s mission to enrich the capabilities of creatives and entrepreneurs within Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector. Through initiatives like these, the fund aims to provide developmental solutions that foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and nurture the growth of cultural projects. The focus is not only on enhancing the sustainability of these initiatives but also on amplifying their economic and social impact across the Kingdom. By connecting international cultural experts with Saudi entrepreneurs and creatives, the CDF is fostering a collaborative environment that encourages cross-cultural dialogue, sharing of best practices, and the development of new ideas that can drive forward-thinking, quality-driven projects.
The evening’s agenda included an inspiring panel discussion titled "Brunello Cucinelli: From Castel Rigone to the World," where the visionary designer shared his incredible journey—from his modest beginnings in a small Italian village to building one of the most celebrated luxury fashion brands in the world. The panel provided a deep dive into Cucinelli’s philosophy, which marries heritage with innovation and emphasizes sustainability as a cornerstone of luxury fashion.
Throughout the discussion, Cucinelli delved into six key themes that have shaped his brand and the fashion industry at large: building a successful global fashion brand, merging heritage with innovation, sustainability in luxury fashion, social responsibility, cultural exchange, and the future of fashion. His insights provided the attendees with invaluable perspectives on how a designer can stay true to their craft while adapting to the evolving global landscape. Cucinelli also underscored the significance of craftsmanship as the heart of his work, asserting that it is the blend of traditional techniques with modern innovation that ensures authenticity, sustainability, and longevity in fashion. His dedication to sustainability, both in terms of materials and in improving the lives of his community, reflects the core values that drive his creative and business practices.
Founded in 1978, Brunello Cucinelli’s eponymous luxury fashion brand is globally recognized for its exquisite craftsmanship, particularly its signature cashmere pieces. The brand has earned a reputation for excellence, not only in fashion design but also in its commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to preserving Italian craftsmanship. As one of the foremost figures in the world of luxury fashion, Cucinelli has used his platform to advocate for sustainability, ethical business practices, and environmental protection—principles that resonate deeply with Saudi Arabia’s goals for a sustainable and diversified economy under Vision 2030.
This event also highlights the CDF’s ongoing efforts to empower creatives and entrepreneurs within Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector. The fund is focused on developing a diverse range of developmental solutions to help boost the capabilities of the Kingdom’s creative professionals. This includes enhancing their managerial, financial, and technical skills, reducing operational costs, and ensuring that their creativity is sustained, allowing them to take their cultural projects to new heights. Through initiatives like these, the CDF is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the Saudi cultural sector, positioning it as a key contributor to the nation’s GDP while improving the quality of life and societal engagement.
In line with this commitment, the CDF has also facilitated significant investments in the Saudi fashion industry. In November 2024, the fund signed credit facility agreements worth over SAR 30 million to finance various fashion projects, further stimulating creativity within the industry and generating job opportunities. This is part of the broader vision for the fashion sector, which has seen unprecedented growth since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030. The funds aim to empower fashion entrepreneurs and support the establishment of sustainable and competitive cultural projects, driving innovation and enriching the Kingdom’s growing creative economy.
The evening with Brunello Cucinelli was not just an enriching experience for those present but a testament to the continued evolution of the Saudi cultural sector, where global expertise and local creativity converge to create a sustainable, innovative, and economically vibrant future for the Kingdom’s cultural and creative industries.
