Tashkeela Exhibition Exposes Saudi Designers to Int’l Fashion Markets

The Saudi Fashion Commission inaugurated Saturday in Riyadh the second "Tashkeela" exhibition at the ROSHN Front. (SPA)
The Saudi Fashion Commission inaugurated Saturday in Riyadh the second "Tashkeela" exhibition at the ROSHN Front. (SPA)
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Tashkeela Exhibition Exposes Saudi Designers to Int’l Fashion Markets

The Saudi Fashion Commission inaugurated Saturday in Riyadh the second "Tashkeela" exhibition at the ROSHN Front. (SPA)
The Saudi Fashion Commission inaugurated Saturday in Riyadh the second "Tashkeela" exhibition at the ROSHN Front. (SPA)

The Saudi Fashion Commission inaugurated Saturday in Riyadh the second "Tashkeela" exhibition at the ROSHN Front, offering a platform for local talent and brands to unveil their latest collections, The Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.
From ready-to-wear to high-end fashion, the exhibition, which lasts until March 19, boasts a diverse range of designs, including accessories, handbags and shoes, jewelry, and perfumes.
This wide-ranging display is expected to cater to the taste of a wide audience, and attract local fashion experts, influencers with a keen eye for trends, and investors seeking to support the burgeoning Saudi fashion sector.
Shoppers eager to discover the latest styles and champion local businesses will also find themselves immersed in a dynamic fashion experience.
Fashion Commission CEO Burak Çakmak said in an interview with SPA at the opening of the exhibition that the commission's primary objective is to bolster the fashion industry both locally and internationally. This entails creating opportunities for Saudi brands to access retail markets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally.
The event highlights the work of over 160 Saudi designers, including participants in the commission's "100 Saudi Brands" program, which offers training and guidance throughout the year to empower Saudi fashion designers and establish them as successful brands.
The "Tashkeela" exhibition enjoys clear success – the first edition attracted a staggering 22,000 visitors in the course of four days. Building on that achievement, the second edition features not only Saudi designers but also designers from Arab and other countries. This creates a dynamic platform for showcasing diverse fashion talents, Çakmak said.



Nike's New CEO Plans to Go Back to Basics in Brand Overhaul Effort

The Nike swoosh logo is seen outside the store on 5th Ave in New York, New York, US, March 19, 2019. (Reuters)
The Nike swoosh logo is seen outside the store on 5th Ave in New York, New York, US, March 19, 2019. (Reuters)
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Nike's New CEO Plans to Go Back to Basics in Brand Overhaul Effort

The Nike swoosh logo is seen outside the store on 5th Ave in New York, New York, US, March 19, 2019. (Reuters)
The Nike swoosh logo is seen outside the store on 5th Ave in New York, New York, US, March 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Nike's new CEO Elliott Hill warned of a long road to sales recovery for the sportswear giant, but the veteran executive's plan to turn the spotlight on sports like basketball and running, allayed some investor worries.

The company said on Thursday it was expecting third-quarter revenue to drop to low double digits after the embattled sportswear seller's quarterly results beat market estimates.

Hill, in his first public address as CEO on the post-earnings call, said Nike had "lost its obsession with sport" and vowed to put it back on track by refocusing on sport and selling more items at premium prices, Reuters reported.

"The recovery is going to be a multi-year process, but he(Hill) seems to be going back to the roots, back to Nike being Nike," said John Nagle, chief investment officer at Kavar Capital Partners, which owns Nike shares.

"(Hill plans to shift focus) away from some of the streetwear and fashion that had taken over the brand, the heavy discounting and the neglect of retailers. Just taking it back to what worked," Nagle said.

Hill, who was with Nike for more than three decades, returned as CEO in October to revive demand at the firm that has been struggling with strategy missteps that soured its relations with retailers such as Foot Locker.

Earlier this month, Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon said Hill was "taking the right actions for the brand" and the retailer was "working closely" with Nike to emphasize newer sportswear styles, including Vomero and Air DT Max.

"(The retailers) they want us to get back to being Nike, and they want us to have the unrelenting flow of innovative products... and they want us to get back to delivering bold brand statements that help drive traffic," Hill said.

The company's market share dwindled as rival brands, including Roger Federer-backed On and Deckers' Hoka , lured consumers with fresher and more innovative styles.

Hill also highlighted that a lack of newness led Nike to become too promotional and said he plans to shift to selling more at full price on its website and app.

"With another half year of franchise management coupled with investment to reinvigorate the brand, we believe the next four quarters could be the worst of the margin erosion and earnings per share reductions," Barclays analyst Adrienne Yih said.

At least seven brokerages cut price targets on the stock with some analysts pointing to the lack of a clear timeline for Nike to return to growth.

Shares of Nike, which have lost about half of its value in the last three years, were down nearly about 2% in early trading on Friday.

Nike's forward price-to-earnings ratio for the next 12 months, a benchmark for valuing stocks, was 27.53, compared with 33.47 for Deckers and 32.32 for Adidas.

"A rudderless ship now has a rudder, and a sailor who knows how to drive it," said Eric Clark, portfolio manager at the Rational Dynamic Brands fund that owns Nike shares.