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 HH Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, Chief Executive Officer of JAY3LLE 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 JAY3LLE 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.
Among the many influential personalities in attendance was architect and urban development specialist Taha A. Alandejani, one of the key figures behind the King Salman Project for the Expansion of Quba Mosque and Area Development in Madinah.
Widely respected for his work in heritage conservation and sustainable urban planning, Alandejani represents a new generation of Saudi professionals helping to shape the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030.
Based in the holy city of Madinah, his work extends far beyond architecture. The ambitious redevelopment surrounding Quba Mosque—the oldest mosque in Islamic history—is designed not only to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims but also to preserve the city’s unique cultural identity while creating welcoming public spaces, improved infrastructure and a more sustainable urban environment.
It is one of the Kingdom’s most significant heritage-led regeneration projects, carefully balancing respect for centuries of history with the needs of a modern global destination.
His presence at the Palais Galliera illustrated the exceptional calibre and diversity of the guests, bringing together leaders from the worlds of architecture, culture, tourism, business and public policy. It was another reminder that Vision Golfe has become far more than an economic forum—it is a meeting place for many of the people helping to shape the future relationship between France and the Gulf, as well as the Kingdom’s broader cultural and urban transformation.:
A taste of urban opera
The evening concluded with an unexpected highlight that left many guests visibly moved. In what organisers had kept as a closely guarded “special surprise”, attendees were treated to a captivating performance by Marseille-born artist Naestro, the acclaimed pioneer of “urban opera”, whose powerful voice reached a global audience during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.
Blending the emotional intensity of classical opera with contemporary urban influences, Naestro delivered a performance of remarkable energy, elegance and passion.
His commanding stage presence, combined with a distinctive vocal style, immediately captivated the audience, drawing enthusiastic applause throughout the performance.
As his soaring vocals filled the venue, guests were swept up by the emotion and theatrical flair of the moment.
Many described the performance as one of the defining memories of the evening, providing a fitting finale to an event dedicated to celebrating creativity, culture and artistic excellence.
Beyond institutional and economic exchanges, the Cultural soirée held at the Palais Galliera showcased several French houses that embody excellence, innovation, and the French art of living, offering guests an immersive experience of French craftsmanship.
In this spirit, Sober Spirits demonstrated how innovation can perfectly align with the evolving demands of international markets by offering a range of premium non-alcoholic spirits crafted from genuine dealcoholized spirits.
This approach is particularly well-suited to the changing Saudi market and the new standards of high-end hospitality.
Complementing this, the house of Petrusse —a French benchmark for exceptional scarves and accessories—highlighted how exquisite craftsmanship remains a powerful vehicle for cultural dialogue between France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Continuing this immersive journey, guests also discovered RETBAA—a magical blend of African richness and Parisian savoir-faire.
Retbaa – Sensory Odyssey is a luxury house that celebrates the art of living through scented candles, home fragrances, and refined creations inspired by a rich cultural heritage. Its sensory universe added a touch of elegance to this exceptional evening.
In a spirit of conviviality, BAF Paris – Bar à Fromages offered a warm gastronomic experience featuring a carefully curated selection of French cheeses, showcasing the excellence of France’s culinary heritage and its ability to foster shared moments.
Through these four partners, the French Night elegantly illustrated the richness of French creativity, where innovation, craftsmanship, gastronomy, and the art of living combine to strengthen cultural and economic ties between France and the Gulf nations.
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