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KAFD to Host WWD Summit and Inaugural Fashion Awards in Saudi Arabia

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP)
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KAFD to Host WWD Summit and Inaugural Fashion Awards in Saudi Arabia

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP)

The King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) announced on Tuesday that it will host the Women's Wear Daily (WWD) Global Fashion Summit and the inaugural Fashion Awards, presented by Chalhoub Group, on Thursday.

The events, held at the King Abdullah Financial District, will honor outstanding achievements in the fashion, beauty, and retail industries, recognizing the exceptional contributions of designers and companies.

In a statement, KAFD said the WWD Global Fashion Summit is a hallmark event in the fashion world. This year, the event, in partnership with the Fashion Commission, will represent and spotlight local talents and visionaries alongside international fashion leaders in shaping the future of the industry.

Along with the Fashion Awards, these industry developments further cement the Kingdom's burgeoning role in the global fashion scene.

KAFD said it will present the "Designer of the Year" award to a winning designer whose work has significantly impacted the fashion industry.

“Through collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the fashion community, KAFD continues to drive innovation, foster talent, and promote Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage on the global stage in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” said KAFD DMC chief executive Gautam Sashittal.

“We are thrilled to witness the burgeoning fashion industry in Saudi Arabia gaining global recognition. Hosting WWD's annual Global Fashion Summit for the first time in our region, right here in the heart of Riyadh, is an exciting moment,” said Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak.

“We are particularly looking forward to the inaugural Fashion Awards presented by Chalhoub, which will honor and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the local talents and visionaries,” he added.

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Fashion

Fashion Commission Launches 1st Executive Master’s Program in Riyadh

Fashion Commission Launches 1st Executive Master’s Program in Riyadh
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Fashion Commission Launches 1st Executive Master’s Program in Riyadh

Fashion Commission Launches 1st Executive Master’s Program in Riyadh

The Fashion Commission announced the launch of the first Executive Master’s program to be delivered in Riyadh, developed in collaboration with the world-renowned Institut Français de la Mode (IFM).

The new program marks a significant leap in advancing fashion education and executive training within the Kingdom, according to SPA.

The Executive Master’s in Strategic Management of Fashion & Luxury represents a new milestone in fashion education, taking place in Riyadh for the first time. It is a 15-month hybrid executive master’s degree track designed for high-potential professionals seeking advanced executive training while continuing their careers. Delivered through a blend of in-person modules in Riyadh and Paris, alongside supervised online learning, the program equips participants with strategic, managerial, and analytical expertise tailored to the rapidly evolving fashion and luxury sector.

Designed with market needs in mind, the executive master’s curriculum covers creation and design, brand strategies, sustainability, new consumer behaviors, retail innovation, fashion media, collection management, and future industry perspectives. Participants will also complete a thesis that contributes new knowledge to the regional and global fashion landscape.

The program is taught by IFM’s internationally recognized faculty, experts in fashion history, sustainability, consumer behavior, design, and luxury management, alongside industry leaders from major global houses, fashion federations, media groups, and innovation-driven organizations.

This landmark program builds on the Fashion Commission’s ongoing partnership with IFM since June 2022. Within the first year, the collaboration introduced high-level educational initiatives, including the Advanced Management Program for Luxury Fashion and the Executive Master’s in Luxury Fashion, designed to elevate local talent and strengthen the Kingdom’s creative workforce.

These programs have contributed to developing the skills and knowledge required to support a world-class fashion ecosystem.

The launch of the Executive Master’s marks a pivotal step in establishing Riyadh as an education hub for the fashion and luxury sectors. By bringing a master’s qualification of this caliber directly to the Kingdom, the Fashion Commission reinforces its commitment to enabling professional growth, supporting innovation, and creating globally competitive talent pipelines.

Fashion

Nike Shares Rise as Apple’s Cook Doubles His Bet on CEO Hill’s Overhaul Effort

A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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Nike Shares Rise as Apple’s Cook Doubles His Bet on CEO Hill’s Overhaul Effort

A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Nike shares rose 5% in early trading on Wednesday after Apple CEO Tim Cook doubled his personal stake in the sportswear maker, raising his bets on the margin-pinching turnaround efforts led by CEO Elliott Hill.

Cook, who has been on Nike's board since 2005, bought 50,000 shares at $58.97 ‌each, according to ‌a regulatory filing. As of December ‌22, ⁠he holds about ‌105,000 shares, which is now worth nearly $6 million.

It was the largest open market stock purchase for a Nike director or executive and possibly the largest in more than a decade, said Jonathan Komp, analyst at Baird Equity Research.

"(We see) Cook's move as a positive signal for the progress under CEO Elliott Hill and Nike's 'Win ⁠Now' actions," Komp said.

The purchase comes days after Nike reported weaker quarterly margins and weak ‌sales in China even as CEO ‍Hill tries to revive demand ‍through fresh marketing plans and innovation focused on running and sports, ‍while phasing out lagging lifestyle brands.

He has also attempted to mend Nike's ties with wholesalers such as Dicks Sporting Goods to increase visibility among shoppers amid stiff competition from newer brands.

However, the strategy has strained Nike's margins, which have been declining for over a year, while its efforts to win back its ⁠premier position in discount-friendly China appears to be faltering.

Nike's shares have slumped nearly 13% since it reported results on December 18 and are on track for the fourth straight year of declines. They were trading at $60.19 on Wednesday.

Cook has been a lead independent director of Nike since 2016 when co-founder Phil Knight stepped down as its chairman.

The Apple CEO "remains extremely close" with Knight, Komp said, adding that he has advised Nike through key strategic decisions including Hill's appointment last year.

Board director and former Intel CEO ‌Robert Swan also bought about 8,700 shares for about $500,000 this week.

Fashion

Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
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Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters

The founding family of Italian fashion house Etro has sold the minority stake it still owned in the brand to a group of investors including Turkish group RAMS Global, the company said on Friday.

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner and "will continue to actively support the brand's long-term growth strategy," Etro added, according to Reuters.

The new investors comprise also Italian fashion group Swinger International and small private equity firm ⁠RSI.

In addition to buying the stake, they all subscribed to a capital increase that will lower L Catterton's holding in Etro to between 51% and 55% from around 65%.

When including both the acquisition and the capital increase, the deal is worth around 70 ⁠million euros ($82 million), two sources close to the matter said. Etro did not disclose financial details.

Chief Executive Fabrizio Cardinali will remain at the helm, while Faruk Bülbül, representing RAMS Global, will become chairman of the board.

L Catterton bought a 60% stake in the brand known for its paisley motif four years ago, and it slightly increased the holding over the years.

The company, founded by Gimmo Etro in 1968, has ⁠been struggling with its turnaround. Last year it posted a net loss of 23 million euros with net revenues declining to 245 million euros from 261 million euros, according to filings with the local chambers of commerce reviewed by Reuters.

Rothschild advised L Catterton and the Etro family on the deal.

Rothschild had been hired in 2024 to look for a new investor who could buy all or part of the Etro fashion group, sources had previously told Reuters.