DUBAI: The Middle East, especially the GCC, has always been an important region for luxury fashion labels. More recently, Saudi Arabia with its fast growing fashion ecosystem and its appetite for luxury takes center stage with luxury labels increasing their presence in the Kingdom – be it through hosting events, collaborating with local talent or opening new stores. Fausto Puglisi, creative director of Roberto Cavalli recently visited the Kingdom as part of Women’s Wear Daily’s (WWD) global fashion summit held in Riyadh and Arab News spoke to him after the event to get his take on the burgeoning significance of the regional market.
The designer was struck by the dynamic blend of tradition and modernity that defines Saudi Arabia, saying: “What’s fascinating is the respect for the roots and, at the same time, the curiosity for the new. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can feel and breathe this mix of past and future.” The brand has a long history with Arab clientele and its 2019 sale to Emirati owner Hussain Sajwani further strengthened its relationship with the region.
This bond is reflected in the brand’s successful collaborations with Middle Eastern influencers like Karen Wazen, who in 2022 became a global ambassador for the brand. “Roberto Cavalli himself had a lot of business in the Arab world – so there is a connection in the DNA,” Puglisi explained. Puglisi's vision for Roberto Cavalli involves blending the classic with the contempo.