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.



Shein to Open Pop-up Store in South Africa to Woo More Shoppers

A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. (Reuters)
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Shein to Open Pop-up Store in South Africa to Woo More Shoppers

A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. (Reuters)

Fast-fashion giant Shein, known for its $5 tops and $10 dresses, will open a pop-up store in Johannesburg, South Africa in August as the online retailer aims to expand its brand recognition in the country.

Shein, founded in China, and its rival Temu have aggressively expanded worldwide as online shopping has surged after the COVID pandemic. They have been accused of exploiting tax loopholes by exporting China-made products in small quantities to avoid higher duties.

Shein will open its pop-up store from Aug. 2-11 as an "exhibition space" for customers to try on trendy fashion and lifestyle products and order them online at a discount, the company said in its South African Instagram post on Tuesday.

Local influencers were tapped for a pre-opening marketing campaign.

Brick-and-mortar and online fashion retailers have urged South African regulators to impose a 45% import duty on all clothing item imports, no matter the price, to level the playing field. Shein, which is planning to go public in Britain, taps a network of largely China-based suppliers which take small initial orders and scale up based on demand.

A Shein spokesperson told Reuters the retailer is engaging with South African regulators to ensure its continued compliance with local laws.

"That said, such tax measures are not critical to the success of our business or the competitive prices we offer our consumers. We keep our prices affordable through our technology-based on-demand business model and flexible supply chain," the spokesperson added.