Saudi Fashion Commission and Kering Launch Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, November 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Saudi Fashion Commission, in collaboration with global luxury group Kering, has announced the Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, a competition aimed at identifying and supporting innovative startups focused on sustainability in the fashion industry. The initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and innovative fashion ecosystem.

The competition, now open for applications, targets startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia. The initiative emphasizes circular innovation, with themes centered on customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection. By December, 20 finalists will be shortlisted to attend a boot camp in Riyadh, where they will receive mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators (KPIs) and pitching techniques.

Following the boot camp, the top 10 proposals will advance to the jury evaluation phase, where they will be assessed on innovation, sustainability, and commercial viability. The competition will conclude in January 2025 with an awards ceremony in Riyadh, where the top three winners will be announced.

The winners will receive a 10-day mentorship program in Paris, working with Kering’s sustainability teams, and an opportunity to showcase their innovations at the Change-Now Summit 2025, a leading global event for sustainable solutions.

Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak highlighted the initiative’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s vision for sustainability in fashion, 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, saying, “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”

The program follows a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Fashion Commission and Kering, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s dedication to promoting sustainable practices and aligning its fashion industry with global standards.