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‘Hia Hub’ in 3rd Edition in Riyadh with more Diverse Program

The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District
The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District
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‘Hia Hub’ in 3rd Edition in Riyadh with more Diverse Program

The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District
The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District

Fashion lovers, makers and influencers are set to meet at ‘Hia Hub’, one of the largest and most sophisticated fashion forums in the region, between November 3 and 7. The 3rd edition of ‘Hia Hub’ in Riyadh is hosting brilliant figures from the worlds of fashion, art and design, as well as regional and international experts and brands.

The five-day event will take place in Riyadh’s JAX District. Curated in partnership with “Fashion Future”, the event includes a variety of discussions, seminars, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.

Among the prestigious names partaking in the event are iconic model Kate Moss, Lebanese actresses Nadine Njeim and Stephanie Atalla, Co-Creative Directors from Oscar De La Renta, entrepreneur and brand consultant Nojoud Al Rumaihi, Maison Future Bedouin and more. They are set to take part in inspiring discussions and dialogues highlighting the latest trends in fashion, beauty, art and design.

Hia Hub, in partnership with Fashion Futures, the Saudi Fashion Commission’s annual event, have curated a dynamic program of insightful discussions, seminars, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.

Over the course of 5 days, Hia Hub will explore the transformation taking place in the international fashion, beauty and creative industries with global icons and brands, such as YSL Beauty; Jimmy Choo; Hindash, celebrity makeup artist; Yoon Ahn, creative director for Ambush and Dior Homme Jewelry, and Global Women’s Curator for Nike; Karla Welch, celebrity stylist and creative director; Dexter Navy, filmmaker and photographer; Elizabeth von der Goltz, CEO of Browns and chief fashion and merchandising officer at FARFETCH; and Johan Lindeberg, founder of J. Lindeberg and JAY3LLE.

The program will also explore the trends driving the fast-growing local and regional fashion and design industries with the top entrepreneurs, designers and personalities, including Designer Andrea Wazen, Hia Magazine’s Fashion Director Jeff Aoun, CEO and Founder of Yataghan Jewelry Sarah Abudawood, and Actress Stephanie Atalla.

Mike Fairburn, managing director of SRMGx, said: “This year, we have an exciting and dynamic program that is bigger and bolder than previous years. Hia Hub will explore the latest trends and topics, connecting fans with our industry’s leaders who are redefining fashion and beauty. We are excited to introduce the new shopping hub, the Billboard Arabia live music stage, pop-up art installations, immersive luxury brand experiences, as well as a whole host of dining and lounge spaces. We have introduced a simplified range of ticket options, as Hia Hub is a conference for everyone. So, whether you’re interested in mastering the art of influence with leading digital entrepreneur and luxury consultant Nojoud Al Rumaihi, learning about the latest techniques and trends from Celebrity Makeup Artist Hindash, or looking to spend an evening with friends exploring our many experiences, Hia Hub will truly have something for everyone.”

Hia Hub is also focused on inspiring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs and creatives by providing a platform to learn and interact with leading global fashion and design institutions. The conference will feature masterclasses and talks with Dr. Leyla Neri, head of the Master of Arts Programs at the French Institute of Fashion, Paris; Dr. Andrée-Anne Lemieux, head of IFM-

Kering Research and Chair on Sustainability at IFM & Kering; Adrien Roberts, international director of Education Accademia Costume & Moda, GFF Trustee, GFWi chairperson; Flavia Collatina, senior leather goods designer at ACM; Sonia Veroni, CEO Modateca Deanna and director CKD Master; and Ozlem Cakir, professional image and communication consultant.

Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said: “The Fashion Commission is proud to partner with Hia Hub on this year’s Fashion Futures event. Together we are bringing leading academics and experts from regional and global fashion institutions to foster insightful conversations on how the next generation of entrepreneurs and creative talents can chart a new path, owning their stories and fusing purpose with creativity. At Fashion Futures, our core mission is to educate, facilitate discussions, foster global exchange and create opportunities in our industry. Hia Hub is the perfect platform to do just that.”

“Hia Hub is an amazing opportunity to bring our industry together. Now in our 31st year, Hia Magazine has continually developed new ways to engage and interact with our audience. From regional and global fashion icons and visionaries to the top influencers and leading brands, Hia Hub is a chance to connect with industry leaders and exchange ideas on how to foster the industry’s growth for the better,” said editor-in-chief of Hia Magazine Mai Badr.

“Fashion has a profound influence on every aspect of our lives – art, lifestyle, culture, identity, personal expression, and history. This year, Hia Hub will explore these different and important areas, and showcase the power of fashion.”

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Fashion

Tommy Hilfiger Takes Over Plaza Hotel for His Colorful Return to NY Fashion Week

American model Gigi Hadid presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger for the New York Fashion Week Tommy Hilfiger runway at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York, US, 10 September 2026. (EPA)
American model Gigi Hadid presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger for the New York Fashion Week Tommy Hilfiger runway at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York, US, 10 September 2026. (EPA)
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Tommy Hilfiger Takes Over Plaza Hotel for His Colorful Return to NY Fashion Week

American model Gigi Hadid presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger for the New York Fashion Week Tommy Hilfiger runway at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York, US, 10 September 2026. (EPA)
American model Gigi Hadid presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger for the New York Fashion Week Tommy Hilfiger runway at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York, US, 10 September 2026. (EPA)

American designer Tommy Hilfiger brought a youthful mix of oversized polo shirts and plaid bucket hats to his spring/summer 2027 collection, unveiled at Manhattan's Plaza Hotel on the first official day of New York Fashion Week.

Guests watched the runway show on Thursday from plush green armchairs arranged throughout the carpeted lobby of the hotel — a venue of personal significance for Hilfiger, who lived in a penthouse there with his wife for over a decade.

Model Gigi Hadid opened the show wearing loose-fitting red pants and a tan suit jacket paired with ‌a navy ‌blue bucket hat. The looks that followed were dominated ‌by ⁠Hilfiger's quintessential bright red ⁠and navy blue palette, interspersed with an array of bold colors and patterns from bright yellow pants to a flowing silk dress.

"Here we are with a new look — but still Tommy Hilfiger," Hilfiger told Reuters before the show, which marked his return to New York Fashion Week after a hiatus. "We wanted to show the youth that we were able to ⁠take our classics and rework them and reintroduce them."

The ‌designer, 75, launched his namesake ‌brand in 1985 and emphasized that the latest collection aims to appeal to ‌Gen Z.

The brand, owned by PVH Corp, has leaned into what it ‌calls its "Prep Made Current" aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic American looks.

Model Kate Moss, singers Camila Cabello and Jisoo, New York Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart and actor Patrick Schwarzenegger were among the front-row spectators.

Violinists filled the ‌room with renditions of hip-hop songs, including Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," before a live performance by singer Slayyyter ⁠rounded out the ⁠show.

SIRIANO EVOKES FRENCH GRANDEUR

American fashion designer Christian Siriano, a favorite among Hollywood stars, also presented his spring/summer 2027 collection on Thursday in a runway show dominated by corsets and embroidered fabrics.

The line, inspired by the "romance and fantasy of 18th-century France," Siriano said in a statement, morphed from monochrome lace dresses and suits to flashy hot-pink, purple and floral gowns.

"It's a little mythical, it's a little dream-like," Siriano told Reuters before the show. "Dark into fantasy dream land."

New York Fashion Week is set to run through September 15, featuring about 70 runway shows and designer presentations. Hilfiger and Siriano's collections came on the heels of shows from Ralph Lauren, Coach and Diane von Furstenberg.

Fashion

Zara Owner Inditex Looks to US for Next Phase of Growth

The sign of a Zara store is displayed on the outside of one of its clothing stores in London, Britain, September 10, 2026. (Reuters)
The sign of a Zara store is displayed on the outside of one of its clothing stores in London, Britain, September 10, 2026. (Reuters)
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Zara Owner Inditex Looks to US for Next Phase of Growth

The sign of a Zara store is displayed on the outside of one of its clothing stores in London, Britain, September 10, 2026. (Reuters)
The sign of a Zara store is displayed on the outside of one of its clothing stores in London, Britain, September 10, 2026. (Reuters)

Fast fashion giant Inditex is investing in the United States as a key growth market, CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras told Reuters, as the Zara owner opens new stores and revamps existing outlets to woo more aspirational shoppers.

Zara store openings are planned in Denver, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh, and Inditex will also bring its upscale Massimo Dutti brand and Gen Z-focused Bershka brand to New York, having launched both in Miami.

Inditex's expansion in the US, its second-largest market by sales after Spain, has been gradual as the retailer gauges demand in each city through online orders before opening stores.

"The US, due to the population, due to the level of relevance, is attracting a lot of interest," Garcia ‌Maceiras said in an ‌interview in London, adding that Inditex is focused on "selective growth" and ensuring ‌each ⁠store is profitable.

The €170 ⁠billion ($197 billion) Spanish company has transformed since the pandemic, growing sales while reducing its global store count as it prioritizes larger flagship locations.

Inditex has about 2,000 fewer stores than it did in January 2019. While the number of stores has fallen 27% from their peak, total selling space in square meters is only 7% lower.

"As the business has scaled they've been able to access more prime locations, so that has enabled them to reduce the store count but actually improve the quality of where they're ⁠selling and attract more footfall," said Edward Kevis, global equity fund manager at ‌Aviva Investors in London, an Inditex shareholder.

Garcia Maceiras said refurbished ‌stores such as Zara's Oxford Street outlet in London, which reopened in June after a five-month renovation, have delivered ‌a "significant improvement" in conversion rates, the percentage of browsing customers who make a purchase.

By the end ‌of 2027 Inditex plans 20 expansion projects in the US, including new stores, expansions and refurbishments across Zara, Bershka and Massimo Dutti. The company also recently opened new stores in Brazil and South Korea, and has numerous projects in Europe, which accounts for 67% of total sales.

BIGGER THAN HERMES

Inditex's market value has recently overtaken that of ‌luxury group Hermes, partly reflecting investor concerns about growth prospects in luxury. Hermes shares are down 34% this year and luxury market leader LVMH has ⁠fallen 37%, while ⁠Inditex remains close to a record high reached in August.

After price hikes by many fashion labels, middle-income shoppers who might previously have splurged on a luxury handbag or shoes may now be drawn to Zara or Massimo Dutti, which sells $320 dresses and $400 leather boots.

"Many customers are mixing in their wardrobes different types of products, from different segments of the market (with) maybe some degree of trading down from luxury," said Garcia Maceiras. "The wardrobe does not belong to one single brand anymore."

'LEVEL PLAYING FIELD'

As Inditex expands its budget brand Lefties, often viewed as a rival to Shein, its competitive position has benefited from the European Union's decision to end duty-free access for e-commerce parcels in July, prompting Shein to raise prices.

Garcia Maceiras, who had previously called for the policy change, played down its impact on Inditex.

"Our global market share is around 2%, so we remain focused on our own business," he said. "If it's something that provides the different players a level playing field, the same rules for everybody, for us, it's fine."

Fashion

American Eagle Sticks to Annual Sales Forecast Again, Shares Slump

FILE PHOTO: A view of an American Eagle Outfitters store in Arlington, Virginia, US, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of an American Eagle Outfitters store in Arlington, Virginia, US, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo
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American Eagle Sticks to Annual Sales Forecast Again, Shares Slump

FILE PHOTO: A view of an American Eagle Outfitters store in Arlington, Virginia, US, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of an American Eagle Outfitters store in Arlington, Virginia, US, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo

American Eagle Outfitters on Wednesday reiterated its annual comparable sales forecast, as the apparel maker sees persistent pressure on seasonal categories in its namesake brand amid choppy discretionary spending.

Shares of the company, which said it expects current-quarter gross margin to be flat from a year earlier, fell about 10% in extended trading, Reuters reported.

Demand for apparel has remained uneven as stubborn inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty prompt shoppers to focus on ⁠value and essentials ⁠such as gas and groceries and wait for promotions before buying clothing and accessories.

American Eagle, like peers such as Gap, has been navigating challenges including weakness in certain seasonal categories in the last few months.

"We have seen a little pressure on seasonal ideas in American Eagle," said Jennifer Foyle, executive creative director at American Eagle and Aerie, adding ⁠that the company continues to see some of that pressure going into the third quarter and is working on right-sizing inventory.

For the quarter ended August 1, inventory cost was up 14% from a year ago, including the impact of incremental tariffs. The company said it plans to continue rebalancing inventory across brands and categories throughout the year.

The broader apparel sector has seen mixed demand patterns, with some retailers struggling to anticipate shifting fashion trends and changing customer preferences.

The inventory issues and promotional activity in the third quarter for American Eagle are primarily concentrated ⁠in some seasonal businesses, ⁠especially shorts, Foyle said, adding that "there is some fashion that we need to ensure that we're clearing."

"American Eagle continues to struggle as our experts have pointed out a less-clear brand voice and merchandising strategies ... AE falls behind the likes of Levi's and Abercrombie," said Patrick Ricciardi, analyst at Third Bridge.

The company, which maintained its fiscal 2026 comparable sales forecast for the second time this year, expects it to be up mid-single digits.

American Eagle's quarterly revenue of $1.38 billion edged past analysts' estimates of $1.37 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It raised annual operating income target after including the impact of $196 million in tariff refunds received during the second quarter.