Vivienne Westwood will make their runway debut in the Middle East at Riyadh Fashion Week 2025, becoming the first international fashion house to be invited to present their collection. The show will be set at a palm grove in Riyadh, a landmark venue that pays tribute to the palm tree as Saudi Arabia’s national symbol of life, resilience, and prosperity. Taking place on October 16th, the runway show will mark a symbolic moment for cultural dialogue within the industry and continue Vivienne Westwood’s initiative to building ‘global-local’ connections.

The collection will be in collaboration with Art of Heritage, a cultural institution preserving the legacy of craftsmanship in Saudi Arabia. The show will highlight an exclusive capsule collection of specially crafted gowns intricately embroidered by Saudi artisans from the Art of Heritage program, in partnership with Vivienne Westwood’s couture team. Additionally, looks from Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection will be shown as well as selected archival creations.

In promoting local traditions through a global lens, the collaboration between Art of Heritage and Vivienne Westwood will demonstrate their shared dedication to preserving culture, empowering female designers, and fostering global exchange. The runway show will also act as an opportunity for young designers to engage with the industry. Around 100 students from local fashion schools are invited to attend the show, followed by a mentoring session.

“At Art of Heritage, I have always believed that heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living force that shapes how we see ourselves and how we imagine the future. Collaborating with the house of Vivienne Westwood on this collection is especially meaningful, as it shows how Saudi craftsmanship can speak to the world with authenticity and creativity,” says HRH Princess Nourah bint Mohammed Al Faisal, CEO of Art of Heritage.