Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission is working on strengthening partnerships with Japan in fashion and textile.
The commission hosted “A Journey into Japanese Textile Mastery” in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization, bringing together leading textile manufacturers, designers and industry experts from both countries.
Held at Future Creative Residence in Riyadh, the event focused on high-quality materials, sustainability and innovation.
It featured a panel discussion with insights from industry experts, including Ammar Bogari, general manager of the Fashion Commission; Asma Al-Othaimeen, co-founder of Chaldene Loungewear; and Japanese representatives from FAO International and Itochu Corp.
Discussions centered on the potential for Japanese textiles to influence Saudi brands, particularly in craftsmanship, sustainable production and luxury materials.
“Our goal at the Fashion Commission is to not only develop Saudi Arabia’s fashion industry but to establish it as a major player in the global market,” Bogari told Arab News.
The event also showcased an exhibition space featuring renowned Japanese textile companies, including Curlelabo, Maker’s Shirt Kamakura, Shindo, Uni Textile, and Parfait Textile.
Attendees explored the latest fabric technologies, materials and high-quality textiles designed to support both emerging and established Saudi designers.
Al-Othaimeen emphasized the importance of integrating Japanese precision and attention to detail into local sustainable fashion.
“The Japanese are known for their quality and their dedication to paying attention to details, and these are important for a sustainable brand. Merging our values together will help us work better,” she said.
Vivian Huang, co-founder of Parfait Textile, highlighted the advantage of Japanese craftsmanship and its appeal to small and growing brands.
“Japanese fabric has high quality, and they do some by hand, so it’s different … we can deliver small orders, so we can support small brands that just started and want to get big,” Huang said.
One of the key displays at the event focused on the history of Japan’s fabric trade relations with Saudi Arabia, illustrating how Japanese textile exports have evolved over the decades, with synthetic textiles being a major export today, particularly for traditional Saudi attire.
The event concluded with a networking session, allowing Saudi designers and business owners to explore potential collaborations with Japanese manufacturers, strengthening the growing relationship between the two countries in the fashion sector.
