Vivienne Westwood will host its first-ever fashion show in the Middle East as part of Riyadh Fashion Week. The runway will be staged at a Palm Grove in Riyadh, one of the city’s landmark venues, honouring Saudi Arabia’s historic connection to the land, where the palm tree stands as a national symbol of life, resilience, and prosperity.
Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, said: “This is the first time we are hosting a runway show in the Middle East, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to do this in Riyadh. We are working on a special collection of embroidered gowns, a result of the union of the expertise of our couture team and the craftsmanship of local artisans: a concrete way to promote local traditions through an international perspective. Today, fashion must go beyond aesthetics – it must be a connection between cultures. ‘Global-local’ is a key concept for us and for this reason we have started collaborating on special projects and shows
like this. Our main interlocutors are young people between 18 and 28 years old, who drive change. Education and inclusivity are key – and as part of our show we have invited around 100 students from local fashion schools to attend and will be hosting a mentoring session with students prior to the show”.
In collaboration with Art of Heritage, a cultural institution safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s legacy of craftsmanship, the show will present a capsule collection of specially created Vivienne Westwood gowns. Intricately embroidered by Saudi artisans from the Art of Heritage program, these exclusive pieces will be showcased alongside Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 2026 looks and select archival creations.
For decades, Vivienne Westwood has championed craftsmanship and heritage, integrating artisanal fabrics and hand-embellished details into its collections. By engaging with local artisans and heritage-led production, the house continues to sustain communities and support traditional skills. This collaboration with Art of Heritage, presented on the stage of Riyadh Fashion Week, embodies a shared commitment to cultural preservation, female empowerment, and global dialogue.
“At Art of Heritage, I have always believed that heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living force that shapes how we see ourselves and how we imagine the future. Collaborating with the house of Vivienne Westwood on this collection is especially meaningful, as it shows how Saudi craftsmanship can speak to the world with authenticity and creativity,” said HRH Princess Nourah bint Mohammed Al Faisal, CEO of Art of Heritage. “With Riyadh Fashion Week welcoming international houses and opening its calendar in new ways, the fact that Vivienne Westwood is opening the third edition is a moment of significance. It is more than fashion—it is about building bridges between histories, identities, and creative worlds. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for Saudi artisans to share our story with clarity, beauty, and confidence.”
Now in its third edition, Riyadh Fashion Week has established itself as one of the region’s most dynamic platforms for creativity. This year, for the first time, the official calendar opens to international houses, an evolution marked by Vivienne Westwood opening Riyadh Fashion Week 2025. The show will mark not only the brand’s debut in the Middle East but also a symbolic moment of cultural exchange, demonstrating how global fashion houses and Saudi craftsmanship can come together to create new narratives for the industry worldwide.
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