Saudi Fashion Commission Launches Comprehensive Manual

The "Fashion Exports Guidelines" is a comprehensive manual crafted to assist fashion industry professionals to navigate the complexities of exporting fashion products
The "Fashion Exports Guidelines" is a comprehensive manual crafted to assist fashion industry professionals to navigate the complexities of exporting fashion products
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Saudi Fashion Commission Launches Comprehensive Manual

The "Fashion Exports Guidelines" is a comprehensive manual crafted to assist fashion industry professionals to navigate the complexities of exporting fashion products
The "Fashion Exports Guidelines" is a comprehensive manual crafted to assist fashion industry professionals to navigate the complexities of exporting fashion products

The Saudi Fashion Commission has unveiled the "Fashion Exports Guidelines," which is a comprehensive manual crafted to assist fashion industry professionals to navigate the complexities of exporting fashion products globally while upholding high sustainability standards.

According to a statement issued Monday, the new manual is organized into four primary sections: clothing, footwear and accessories, jewelry, and perfumes. Each section provides tailored export procedures relevant to specific product categories. It also identifies major international markets for fashion products and explores potential future export destinations, offering valuable insights into market demands and opportunities.

Key aspects of the guide include detailed instructions on mandatory labeling standards for exported fashion products, comprehensive guidelines to ensure compliance with international safety and quality benchmarks, and practical advice on incorporating sustainability into production processes. The manual emphasizes environmentally friendly and ethical production methods, aiming to support industry professionals in maintaining high standards across all aspects of their operations.

The Fashion Exports Guidelines is intended for a broad audience within the fashion industry, including apparel manufacturers, jewelry designers, footwear producers, accessories makers, perfume creators, and other business sectors interested in expanding their export activities.
According to the commission, the manual covers essential information on labeling requirements for exported fashion items. It outlines comprehensive guidelines to ensure that products meet both quality and safety standards. Additionally, the guide provides practical advice on integrating sustainability into production processes. For those navigating different markets, it details country-specific export requirements and offers up-to-date information on regulations and legal requirements in each target market.



Bold Looks Among Boulders at Michael Kors’ New York Fashion Week Show 

A model walks the runway during the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 10, 2024. (AFP)
A model walks the runway during the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 10, 2024. (AFP)
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Bold Looks Among Boulders at Michael Kors’ New York Fashion Week Show 

A model walks the runway during the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 10, 2024. (AFP)
A model walks the runway during the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in New York on September 10, 2024. (AFP)

Fashion sometimes involves risk and designer Michael Kors would tell you some risks aren’t worth taking. Last year, his September show was held outside and the weather did not cooperate, so he decided his spring/summer 2025 collection at New York Fashion Week would bring nature inside instead.

Kors and his team created a unique runway in a cavernous raw space in a midtown building, with stark metal benches lining the rectangular walls and gigantic faux black rocks scattered in the center and sides, similar to the rocky beaches of the Amalfi Coast. The drama of Italian cliffs in an urban setting was part of Kors’ abstract inspiration.

Kors says he’s “glued” to pop culture and was especially fascinated by the recent Netflix series “Ripley,” based on Patricia Highsmith’s classic novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” The dark story is set in coastal Italy where a man who covets a friend’s wealthy life kills him and takes over his identity, killing anyone else who threatens his new persona.

“Seeing this romantic, moody, dark story shot all in black and white, I thought it brought something very different to the romance of it,” Kors told The Associated Press backstage before the show. “There was this sort of dark side of romance that’s not sweet, not insipid, and mysterious. And then also, this is my 35th anniversary of working with Italian artisans and I really wanted to play up all of the incredible tailors and craftspeople in Italy.”

The result was a show that used stark lighting and a haunting instrumental score to set the mood for a lot of black and white and muted colors with looks that evoke Ripley’s 1950’s hybrid style of city and resortwear.

“There’s lots of texture, black raffia, white embroideries. Everything is very tactile,” Kors explained. “It’s all the colors that you would find in the Mediterranean. So all of the natural colors have very soft browns and creams. And then of course, there’s going to be blue.”

The brand’s craftsmanship was on display with intricate peekaboo lace dresses and skirts and several dresses, skirts and coats adorned with flower applique’. Accessories stood out in the collection with leather handbags, hats and shoes teeming with black raffia that looked like leather straw. Nearly every look had a belt — some styled loosely but extra-long and knotted to dangle, and others wide and tight at the waist. The ever-present trench coat appeared for men and women on the runway, mostly oversized and slouchy.

This season’s shows brought guests and media to all corners of the city and surroundings, showing off its beauty and designers’ creativity — from a horse ranch in the tony Hamptons for Ralph Lauren, to a giant ferry boat docked on the East River for Tommy Hilfiger, to an old Domino sugar factory in Brooklyn for Tory Burch.

The show’s front row was packed with celebrities, including Kerry Washington, Mary J. Blige, Shailene Woodley, Mindy Kaling, and Lindsay Lohan.

“I’m always really inspired by the simplicity, the craftsmanship. He has a real kind of a love for women that is so kind of understated, but just so consistent,” Olivia Wilde said. “I always feel so beautiful in his clothes.”

Suki Waterhouse was wearing a pink lace Kors dress and matching fluffy coat. “The straw shoes with the matching bag was my absolute favorite,” the actor and recording artist said after the show. “I need to book a holiday to be able to wear those things.”