‘Hia Hub’ in 3rd Edition in Riyadh with more Diverse Program

Fashion lovers, makers and influencers are set to meet at ‘Hia Hub’, one of the largest and most sophisticated fashion forums in the region, between November 3 and 7. The 3rd edition of ‘Hia Hub’ in Riyadh is hosting brilliant figures from the worlds of fashion, art and design, as well as regional and international experts and brands.

The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District. Curated in partnership with “Fashion Future”, the event includes a variety of discussions, seminars, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.

Among the prestigious names partaking in the event are iconic model Kate Moss, Lebanese actresses Nadine Njeim and Stephanie Atalla, Co-Creative Directors from Oscar De La Renta, entrepreneur and brand consultant Nojoud Al Rumaihi, Maison Future Bedouin and more. They are set to take part in inspiring discussions and dialogues highlighting the latest trends in fashion, beauty, art and design.

Hia Hub, in partnership with Fashion Futures, the Saudi Fashion Commission’s annual event, have curated a dynamic program of insightful discussions, seminars, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.

Over the course of 5 days, Hia Hub will explore the transformation taking place in the international fashion, beauty and creative industries with global icons and brands, such as YSL Beauty; Jimmy Choo; Hindash, celebrity makeup artist; Yoon Ahn, creative director for Ambush and Dior Homme Jewelry, and Global Women’s Curator for Nike; Karla Welch, celebrity stylist and creative director; Dexter Navy, filmmaker and photographer; Elizabeth von der Goltz, CEO of Browns and chief fashion and merchandising officer at FARFETCH; and Johan Lindeberg, founder of J. Lindeberg and JAY3LLE.

The program will also explore the trends driving the fast-growing local and regional fashion and design industries with the top entrepreneurs, designers and personalities, including Designer Andrea Wazen, Hia Magazine’s Fashion Director Jeff Aoun, CEO and Founder of Yataghan Jewelry Sarah Abudawood, and Actress Stephanie Atalla.

Mike Fairburn, managing director of SRMGx, said: “This year, we have an exciting and dynamic program that is bigger and bolder than previous years. Hia Hub will explore the latest trends and topics, connecting fans with our industry’s leaders who are redefining fashion and beauty. We are excited to introduce the new shopping hub, the Billboard Arabia live music stage, pop-up art installations, immersive luxury brand experiences, as well as a whole host of dining and lounge spaces. We have introduced a simplified range of ticket options, as Hia Hub is a conference for everyone. So, whether you’re interested in mastering the art of influence with leading digital entrepreneur and luxury consultant Nojoud Al Rumaihi, learning about the latest techniques and trends from Celebrity Makeup Artist Hindash, or looking to spend an evening with friends exploring our many experiences, Hia Hub will truly have something for everyone.”

Hia Hub is also focused on inspiring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs and creatives by providing a platform to learn and interact with leading global fashion and design institutions. The conference will feature masterclasses and talks with Dr. Leyla Neri, head of the Master of Arts Programs at the French Institute of Fashion, Paris; Dr. Andrée-Anne Lemieux, head of IFM-

Kering Research and Chair on Sustainability at IFM & Kering; Adrien Roberts, international director of Education Accademia Costume & Moda, GFF Trustee, GFWi chairperson; Flavia Collatina, senior leather goods designer at ACM; Sonia Veroni, CEO Modateca Deanna and director CKD Master; and Ozlem Cakir, professional image and communication consultant.

Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said: “The Fashion Commission is proud to partner with Hia Hub on this year’s Fashion Futures event. Together we are bringing leading academics and experts from regional and global fashion institutions to foster insightful conversations on how the next generation of entrepreneurs and creative talents can chart a new path, owning their stories and fusing purpose with creativity. At Fashion Futures, our core mission is to educate, facilitate discussions, foster global exchange and create opportunities in our industry. Hia Hub is the perfect platform to do just that.”

“Hia Hub is an amazing opportunity to bring our industry together. Now in our 31st year, Hia Magazine has continually developed new ways to engage and interact with our audience. From regional and global fashion icons and visionaries to the top influencers and leading brands, Hia Hub is a chance to connect with industry leaders and exchange ideas on how to foster the industry’s growth for the better,” said editor-in-chief of Hia Magazine Mai Badr.

“Fashion has a profound influence on every aspect of our lives – art, lifestyle, culture, identity, personal expression, and history. This year, Hia Hub will explore these different and important areas, and showcase the power of fashion.”

Armani Privé opened Tuesday under an unmistakable shadow. For the first time in the 20-year history of his couture house, Giorgio Armani was not present in Paris to take his bow.

Days from his 91st birthday and following doctors’ advice after a recent hospital stay, Armani reportedly oversaw the Paris couture week show remotely from home, a moment of absence that lands heavily for a designer who has shaped every one of his brand’s collections since its founding.

The show’s theme, “Seductive Black,” played out with literal and symbolic force on the runway: black in myriad forms, from liquid velvet and lacquered silk to pavé crystals and flashes of gold. Even the models’ makeup followed suit, rendered in shades of gray.

For some in the front row, the relentless palette felt pointed. Guests quietly wondered if the choice of black was a coded message from the maestro himself.

This is not the first major show Armani has missed this season. Just weeks ago, he was forced to sit out Milan Fashion Week for the first time in the label’s history, following a brief hospitalization.

According to the brand, the absence was a precaution to save energy for his Paris couture appearance.

For decades, Armani — often referred to as “Re Giorgio,” or King George, in Italy — has been both the creative and business force behind one of fashion’s last great independent empires.

The Tuesday collection balanced tension and control. After an uncertain start, including velvet jodhpurs and stark crystalline seams, Armani’s familiar codes quickly emerged: tuxedo jackets transformed into evening gowns with plunging lapels and floating bow ties, tailored blazers worn on bare skin and military-inspired equestrian jackets paired with slim velvet pants.

Bursts of embroidery and colored feathers provided a balance from the monochrome.

Armani’s recent absences have sent ripples through the industry. In a landscape dominated by conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, Armani remains the sole shareholder of his company, personally overseeing every collection for nearly 50 years. In 2024, Armani Group reported revenues of $2.5 billion, while Giorgio Armani’s personal fortune is estimated at $11–13 billion — even as the global luxury market faces headwinds.

Armani is widely credited with redefining men’s and women’s tailoring, pioneering gender-fluidity in fashion, and inventing celebrity red-carpet dressing, from Julia Roberts to Cate Blanchett. Yet the designer himself has acknowledged that age is now a reality to deal with and that pulling back could be a necessity.

Whether the monochrome collection was a deliberate metaphor or simply a showcase of discipline, “Seductive Black” felt personal — both a mood and a message, perhaps an understated nod to a master whose presence, even in absence, remains absolute.

As the show closed, the final bow belonged to the models alone. But Armani’s vision — uncompromising and unmistakably his — filled the room.

‘Hia Hub’ in 3rd Edition in Riyadh with more Diverse Program