Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
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Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo

The Saudi Fashion Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French-based Kering, one of the world’s most influential luxury fashion conglomerates, to engage in discussions that support the development and implementation of initiatives that align with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals for the fashion sector.

The signing ceremony, held in Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak and Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering Marie-Claire Daveu.

The MoU marks the beginning of a strategic alliance aimed at exploring collaborative efforts in several key areas of common interest. The two organizations will work together to establish Kering Generation Awards, which recognize and celebrate leading sustainable fashion businesses, including establishing award criteria, participant selection processes, and award recipient development.

Moreover, the collaboration features a Regional Sustainability Index, providing fashion enterprises with a roadmap to enhance sustainable practices.
The initiative also entails publishing joint reports on achievements, conducting awareness sessions, and aligning with key events in Saudi’s annual fashion calendar.

Leveraging Kering’s industry expertise, the two parties will focus on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection and aim to identify pioneering approaches to sustainable materials that can serve as industry standards.

This partnership underscores the Saudi Fashion Commission’s commitment to advancing sustainability across the fashion value chain. As a leader in sustainable luxury fashion, Kering brings a wealth of experience in managing eco-conscious initiatives, reinforcing the MoU’s potential to drive meaningful change in the region’s fashion landscape.

“We are delighted to partner with Kering, whose commitment to sustainability aligns with our mission to foster a forward-thinking, eco-conscious fashion ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Together, we aim to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the region,” said Cakmak.

As for Daveu, she said that the MoU presents a remarkable opportunity for the company to support the growth of sustainable fashion practices in Saudi Arabia.

“We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry,” she added.

The MoU will be effective immediately for an initial term of one year, with an option for automatic renewal upon mutual agreement.
This partnership reflects the shared vision of the Saudi Fashion Commission and Kering to lead the region’s move toward a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.



UK's Frasers Demands Appointment of Mike Ashley as Boohoo CEO

FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a smartphone showing the Boohoo app in front of the Boohoo logo on display in this illustration taken September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a smartphone showing the Boohoo app in front of the Boohoo logo on display in this illustration taken September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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UK's Frasers Demands Appointment of Mike Ashley as Boohoo CEO

FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a smartphone showing the Boohoo app in front of the Boohoo logo on display in this illustration taken September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a smartphone showing the Boohoo app in front of the Boohoo logo on display in this illustration taken September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

British sportswear retailer Frasers Group called on Thursday for a general meeting of Boohoo to appoint Mike Ashley as a director and CEO of the struggling online fashion retailer, Reuters reported.
Frasers, controlled by British businessman Ashley, is the biggest shareholder in Boohoo with an about 27% stake.
Boohoo said last week that its CEO John Lyttle would step down, as the group announced a strategic review that could see it broken up. It also agreed a debt refinancing with its lenders.
Frasers sent an open letter dated Oct. 23 to the board of the Manchester-based firm, asking for the appointment of Ashley and restructuring professional Mike Lennon as directors to take effect "without delay.”
"The board appointments proposed by Frasers are now the only way to set a new course for Boohoo's future," Frasers said in a statement, urging Boohoo shareholders to back its proposals.
Boohoo said in a separate statement that its board was reviewing the content and validity of the requisitions with its advisers.
Shares in Boohoo rose nearly 4% in early trade. Frasers shares were down marginally by 0703 GMT.
Frasers also opposed the terms of the debt refinancing and said that no disposal of Boohoo should be made without first consulting the Sports Direct owner and all other major shareholders.
Mahmud Kamani, the co-founder and executive chairperson of Boohoo, is the second biggest shareholder with a 12.6% stake in the firm, according to LSEG data.
Kamani along with Carol Kane founded Boohoo in 2006 and listed it on the London stock exchange in 2014.
The fashion retailer, like its UK peer ASOS, had benefited from a pandemic boom in online shopping but has struggled ever since with supply chain problems, higher product returns, competition from rivals such as Shein and Temu and subdued consumer demand.
Frasers walked away from making a formal offer for British luxury handbag maker Mulberry on Wednesday after its two proposals were rejected.