The elegant surroundings of the Palais Galliera – Paris’s renowned Museum of Fashion – provided a fitting backdrop for a prestigious networking event at Vision Golfe 2026, bringing together leading figures from the worlds of fashion, luxury, culture and business from both France and the Gulf region.
Held in the heart of Paris’s 16th arrondissement, the exclusive evening reception attracted a large and diverse audience representing a broad cross-section of society from both regions. Business leaders, diplomats, cultural figures, designers, entrepreneurs, media representatives and tourism professionals gathered beneath the historic museum’s grand arches to celebrate the growing cultural and creative ties between France and the Gulf countries.
The Palais Galliera itself was an appropriate setting for the occasion. Housed in a magnificent nineteenth-century Renaissance-inspired building overlooking the Seine, the museum is dedicated entirely to fashion and costume. Its collections trace centuries of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation, making it one of the world’s most important institutions devoted to the history and evolution of fashion. Against this backdrop, discussions naturally focused on the increasingly important role that culture, creativity and design are playing in international relations and economic development.
Guests were welcomed by Louis Margueritte, Director General of Business France, alongside Pascal Morand, Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, and Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, Chief Executive Officer of Jayyelle and founder of Culture House.
Princess Noura, one of the leading advocates for Saudi Arabia’s creative economy, spoke about the increasing importance of cultural and creative industries across the Middle East and their role in shaping future economic growth. Long recognised for her work in fashion, design and cultural entrepreneurship, she highlighted how creativity is becoming an increasingly important pillar of national development strategies throughout the region.
Her presence at the event reflected the growing international profile of Saudi Arabia’s creative sector and the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global centre for culture, design and innovation. Through her work with Jayyelle and Culture House, Princess Noura has consistently championed emerging talent and sought to create bridges between creative communities in Saudi Arabia and around the world.
In his remarks, Pascal Morand highlighted the strategic importance of the Gulf region for French luxury brands and fashion houses.
“The region is immensely important for us,” he said, noting that Gulf markets account for a significant share of business for many French luxury brands and designers. He also pointed to the importance of tourism flows and international visitors in supporting the luxury sector throughout the region.
At the same time, Morand stressed that the relationship is no longer simply about European brands serving Gulf consumers: “What I want to emphasise is the flourishing of creativity, design and fashion in Gulf countries, and in particular in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Morand praised the growing collaboration between French and Saudi institutions, singling out the role played by the Saudi Fashion Commission and a range of educational and professional development initiatives. He noted that cooperation between French organisations and Saudi partners had already helped train hundreds of entrepreneurs and young professionals, contributing to the development of the Kingdom’s creative industries.
He also highlighted the important contribution of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, which has become an increasingly important platform for cultural dialogue and artistic exchange between France and the Arab world.
The evening also provided an opportunity to recognise the growing international visibility of Gulf-based designers. Morand referred to the success of fashion events across the region, including initiatives in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as evidence of a rapidly maturing creative sector that is attracting growing international attention.
Throughout the evening, guests continued discussions on opportunities for collaboration in fashion, luxury, heritage, education and cultural entrepreneurship. The atmosphere reflected a broader trend that has become increasingly visible in recent years: the strengthening of cultural diplomacy as a driver of economic cooperation and mutual understanding between France and the Gulf region.
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