Saudi Fashion Commission Launches Educational Programs in Collaboration with French Fashion Institute, ‘Misk’ Foundation

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
TT

Saudi Fashion Commission Launches Educational Programs in Collaboration with French Fashion Institute, ‘Misk’ Foundation

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo

The Saudi Fashion Commission launched an educational program initiative for fashion pioneers in collaboration with the French Fashion Institute and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk.”

The initiative aligns with the Commission’s goals of empowering the local fashion industry and providing fashion professionals with the necessary tools for creativity and excellence.

The programs follow the Fashion Commission’s announcement of its strategic partnership with the French Fashion Institute in June of this year, including the launch of innovative educational programs. The programs combine the latest knowledge with practical experience and serve as a platform to empower designers, brand owners, and investors to grow in the fashion industry.

The programs launched by the authority include five training courses, including a preparatory course in executive business management in the fashion sector, conducted in three phases: a virtual training program, an in-person training program in Riyadh, and an in-person training program in Paris, culminating in a final project.

The Riyadh program includes introductory sessions on planning, marketing, sales, brand identity, business strategy, planning, visual merchandising, and retail. The training sessions in Paris feature academic elements, including lectures and activities focused on digital marketing, financial management, product development, and production.

The programs include a developmental course on advanced sustainability practices in the fashion industry, conducted in two phases: a virtual training program and an in-person training program in Riyadh. The course covers an introduction to fashion and sustainability, the study of the circular economy in fashion, innovation and technology in sustainable fashion, as well as strategies for implementing sustainability and social responsibility through a business model in the fashion sector.

The programs include a developmental course on exploring advanced research methods in design applications. The course highlights the essential project guidelines that form the preparatory foundations for designing a fashion collection. The six-day program focuses on the exploratory research aspect of a creative project at the intersection of contemporary global fashion, local and heritage materials, clothing, textiles, and local architecture. It will be conducted in two phases: virtual training and in-person training in Paris.

Moreover, the Fashion Commission offers a developmental course on visual merchandising and marketing in the fashion industry, lasting seven days in Riyadh. The course covers the fundamentals of building a fashion brand, marketing basics, visual display techniques, trend analysis, and insights into the fashion business landscape, distribution channels, and shopping strategies.

Additionally, there will be a developmental course in fashion photography, offering participants valuable insights into visual storytelling within the industry. The intensive six-day course, conducted in person in Riyadh, offers a comprehensive exploration of fashion photography, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.



Adidas Reports Strongest China Sales Since Early 2022

 Adidas Samba and Gazelle sneakers for sale are seen at a shop in Berlin, Germany, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Adidas Samba and Gazelle sneakers for sale are seen at a shop in Berlin, Germany, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Adidas Reports Strongest China Sales Since Early 2022

 Adidas Samba and Gazelle sneakers for sale are seen at a shop in Berlin, Germany, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Adidas Samba and Gazelle sneakers for sale are seen at a shop in Berlin, Germany, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)

Adidas saw strong growth in Greater China in the third quarter, while sales in North America excluding Yeezy shoes were up on the year thanks to improving brand image.

Adidas' performance in China contrasts with other companies that are struggling with weak consumer demand and a likely longer wait for government stimulus measures to boost confidence.

Currency-neutral quarterly sales rose 9% to 946 million euros ($1.02 billion) in Greater China, up from 870 million euros a year earlier, the company said on Tuesday - its strongest quarterly sales in China since the start of 2022.

Adidas shares gained 1.7% in early trading, despite a filing announcing top shareholder Groupe Bruxelles Lambert cut its stake. Adidas had already released preliminary figures and hiked its annual sales and profit guidance earlier this month.

A trend for Adidas' "terrace" shoes, retro models inspired by soccer fans' footwear in the 1970s and 80s, has driven sales at the German sportswear company, helping it gain market share over rivals such as Nike and recover from a bruising break-up with rapper Kanye West, who goes by Ye.

"In lifestyle, management is avoiding overflowing the market with Campus and Terrace," said Stifel analyst Cedric Lecasble, adding that Adidas is pushing its SL72 shoes and "low profile" sneakers such as its Taekwondo model.

In North America, Adidas' second-biggest market behind Europe, the Middle East and Africa, currency-neutral sales were down 7% at 1.36 billion euros in the third quarter, but increased from the previous year when excluding Yeezy, the company said.

The results are the latest evidence of a revival in the company's fortunes almost two years after CEO Bjorn Gulden joined the German brand. Gulden has overseen the sales of Adidas' stock of Yeezy shoes left unsold after cutting ties with the rapper, its former design partner.

Adidas' wholesale business - revenue made by selling product through third-party retailers - grew 13% in the third quarter, while direct to consumer sales grew 7%.

The company's gross margin increased by 2 percentage points compared to a year ago, at 51.3% - an impressive result, Jefferies analysts said, given the wholesale channel is generally less profitable.

Adidas has taken shelf space from Nike at multi-brand retailers such as Foot Locker and JD Sports thanks to the trend for its multi-colored sneakers, while its US rival has seen sales fall.