Saudi 100 Brands Program Announces Winner of ‘Saudi Heritage Revival’ Competition

The Saudi 100 Brands Program, an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, announced Hebah Baatiyyah as the winner of the Saudi Heritage Revival competition on Wednesday at the Creative Residence under the Fashion Commission FCR headquarters in JAX District, Riyadh. The announcement was made in the presence of the jury and competition participants, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to promote sustainability and cultural heritage within the fashion industry.

Context and Background

Launched in July 2024, the Saudi Heritage Revival competition aimed to encourage sustainability in fashion design by highlighting Saudi cultural and national heritage. Participants were invited to submit unique designs incorporating classic Swarovski crystals, blending heritage elements with contemporary fashion. The competition is part of the Saudi 100 Brands Program, which supports local designers and promotes Saudi fashion globally. The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to diversify the economy and empower creative talent, as outlined in Vision 2030.

Key Details

The competition unfolded over several months, beginning with a virtual introductory meeting on August 26 to outline objectives and requirements. Guidance workshops with Swarovski experts took place in Riyadh from September 2-4, followed by individual virtual sessions to monitor participants’ progress. The jury, comprising industry leaders such as Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission; Meshal Alharthi, General Manager of Operations & Delivery; Rana Sakkat, Education & Talent Director; fashion designer Dar Alhanouf; Sahana Hegde, Swarovski Head of Sales for Global Key Accounts East Region; and Zubair Khawar, Swarovski designer, evaluated the participants’ outputs. The winner was selected on September 25 at the Creative Residence. Hebah Baatiyyah receives a training opportunity at Dar Al-Hanouf Fashion in Jeddah, while the top five designers—Hebah Baatiyyah, Alanood Aljabeer, Lama AlHabashi, Rawan Alyami, and Reem Bashawri—will participate in an international academic competition by Swarovski titled ‘Interpretation of the Swarovski SS 2025 Inspiration Theme Street Art in a Commercial Ready to Wear Outfit.’ Each designer will present three ready-to-wear outfits embellished with Swarovski reignited crystals, with one winner selected from each design school. The final outfits will be manufactured and embellished exclusively with Swarovski crystals, and the international winner will receive a trip to Swarovski’s headquarters in Wattens, Austria, with expenses covered by Swarovski.

Implications and Impact

This competition underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering local talent and promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry. By partnering with a global leader like Swarovski, the Kingdom provides its designers with international exposure and opportunities to showcase Saudi heritage on a global stage. The initiative also supports the growth of the creative economy, a key pillar of Vision 2030, by nurturing skilled professionals and encouraging innovation. The recognition of Hebah Baatiyyah and the top five designers highlights the potential of Saudi designers to compete internationally, further enhancing the Kingdom’s reputation as a hub for creativity and culture.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Saudi Heritage Revival competition exemplifies the objectives of Vision 2030 by promoting cultural preservation, sustainable development, and economic diversification. Through initiatives like the Saudi 100 Brands Program, the Kingdom empowers its youth, especially women, to contribute to the creative economy. This competition not only celebrates Saudi heritage but also positions the Kingdom as a global player in fashion and design, aligning with the vision’s goal of a vibrant society and a thriving economy. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its creative industries, such platforms will play a crucial role in showcasing the nation’s talent and cultural richness to the world.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Saudi Heritage Revival competition?

A1. The Saudi Heritage Revival competition is an initiative by the Saudi 100 Brands Program, launched in July 2024, to encourage sustainable fashion design by integrating Saudi cultural heritage with modern design using Swarovski crystals.

Q2. Who won the Saudi Heritage Revival competition?

A2. Hebah Baatiyyah was announced as the winner on Wednesday at the Creative Residence under the Fashion Commission FCR headquarters in JAX District, Riyadh.

Q3. What prize does the winner receive?

A3. The winner receives a training opportunity at Dar Al-Hanouf Fashion in Jeddah, enhancing her skills and providing valuable industry experience.

Q4. Who are the top five designers in the competition?

A4. The top five designers are Hebah Baatiyyah, Alanood Aljabeer, Lama AlHabashi, Rawan Alyami, and Reem Bashawri, who will participate in an international academic competition by Swarovski.

Q5. What is the international academic competition by Swarovski?

A5. It is a competition titled ‘Interpretation of the Swarovski SS 2025 Inspiration Theme Street Art in a Commercial Ready to Wear Outfit,’ where each designer presents three ready-to-wear outfits embellished with Swarovski reignited crystals.

Q6. What does the international winner receive?

A6. The international winner will receive a trip to Swarovski’s headquarters in Wattens, Austria, with travel and accommodation expenses covered by Swarovski.

Q7. Who were the jury members?

A7. The jury included Burak Cakmak, Meshal Alharthi, Rana Sakkat, Dar Alhanouf, Sahana Hegde, and Zubair Khawar, representing the Fashion Commission and Swarovski.

Q8. When was the competition launched?

A8. The competition was launched in July 2024 by the Saudi 100 Brands Program, an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission.

Q9. What were the stages of the competition?

A9. The stages included a virtual introductory meeting on August 26, guidance workshops in Riyadh from September 2-4, individual virtual sessions, and final judging on September 25.

Q10. What is the purpose of the competition?

A10. The competition aims to enhance awareness of sustainability, preserve Saudi cultural identity, and develop local talent in creative design through training and guidance.

Q11. Who organized the competition?

A11. The competition was organized by the Saudi 100 Brands Program, an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, in partnership with Swarovski.

Q12. Where was the closing ceremony held?

A12. The closing ceremony was held at the Creative Residence under the Fashion Commission FCR headquarters at JAX District in Riyadh.

Q13. What is the Saudi 100 Brands Program?

A13. The Saudi 100 Brands Program is an initiative by the Saudi Fashion Commission to support and promote local fashion designers, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

Q14. How does the competition support sustainability?

A14. By encouraging designs that use Swarovski crystals and integrate heritage elements, the competition promotes sustainable practices in fashion design and production.

Q15. What role does Swarovski play in the competition?

A15. Swarovski provides expertise, conducts workshops, supplies crystals, and organizes the international academic competition for the top designers.

Q16. What is the significance of the competition for Saudi Arabia?

A16. It showcases Saudi talent, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes the Kingdom as a hub for creativity and sustainable fashion, supporting economic diversification.

Q17. How does the competition align with Vision 2030?

A17. It aligns with Vision 2030 by empowering youth, especially women, fostering creative industries, and preserving cultural identity, contributing to a vibrant society and thriving economy.

Q18. What opportunities do participants receive?

A18. Participants receive training, guidance, and international exposure, with the top five advancing to a global competition by Swarovski.

Q19. What is the expected impact of the competition?

A19. The competition is expected to boost the Saudi fashion industry, promote sustainable practices, and enhance the Kingdom’s global presence in creative design.

Q20. How can designers participate in future competitions?

A20. Designers can participate by staying updated through the Saudi Fashion Commission and the Saudi 100 Brands Program, which announce opportunities and requirements for upcoming competitions.

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