Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global fashion industry will be underlined once again this autumn as Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud presides over the jury of the second edition of the Arab Fashion Award, to be held at the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris on 30 September 2026.
The Institut du Monde Arabe has announced the composition of an exceptional jury bringing together leading figures from the worlds of fashion, luxury, culture and creative industries. Applications for the award are open until 12 June, with the winners to be revealed during a ceremony at the Paris-based institution later this year.
For Saudi Arabia, the appointment of Princess Noura as President of the Jury is particularly significant. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures behind the emergence of the Kingdom’s modern fashion sector, she has spent more than a decade championing Saudi creativity and helping to build the foundations of a nationally and internationally recognised fashion ecosystem.
An entrepreneur, strategist and advocate for the creative industries, Princess Noura has played a central role in promoting fashion as a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme. Her efforts have focused not only on supporting designers and entrepreneurs, but also on strengthening the links between fashion, culture, heritage and economic development.
Among her most notable achievements was the launch of Saudi Fashion Week, which helped place Riyadh on the international fashion calendar and provided Saudi designers with an unprecedented platform to showcase their work to global audiences. She has also been a driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent, encouraging innovation and fostering collaboration between Saudi creatives and international institutions.
Her contribution to the sector has earned growing international recognition. In recent years she has become one of the most visible ambassadors for Saudi fashion, regularly representing the Kingdom at major international events and helping to reshape perceptions of the country’s rapidly evolving creative landscape.
The jury she will lead reflects the award’s ambition to bridge the worlds of fashion, culture and business.
Arab Fashion Award 2026 – Jury members
President of the Jury
- Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud – President of the Jury
Jury Members
- Miral Youssef – President, Kering Middle East & Africa
- Hugo Lucchino – Director General, Villa Noailles
- Cynthia Merhej – Founder and Creative Director, Renaissance Renaissance
- Lawrence Shukri – Co-founder, Trashy Clothing
- Omar B. – Co-founder, Trashy Clothing
- Emilie Hammen – Director, Palais Galliera – Musée de la Mode de Paris
- Mona Khazindar – Senior Advisor
- Pascal Morand – Executive President, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
- Nadia Dhouib – International Fashion, Luxury and Retail Executive
- Olivier Saillard – Fashion Historian
- Olivier Theyskens – Creative Director and Fashion Designer
- Sylvie Ebel – Deputy Director General, Institut Français de la Mode (IFM)
- Faisal Al Arayadh – Head of Creative Industries, Tamkeen (Bahrain)
- Guillaume Delacroix – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DLX
- Yasmina Chellali – Fashion Designer
Organised in partnership with DLX, the Arab Fashion Award seeks to identify, celebrate and support emerging and established talent from across the region. Beyond recognising excellence in design, the initiative aims to strengthen the international visibility of Arab fashion and create new opportunities for designers to connect with industry leaders, institutions and global markets.
Princess Noura’s appointment comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s fashion sector continues to gain momentum. Supported by substantial investment, growing consumer demand and increasing international interest, the Kingdom has rapidly established itself as one of the region’s most dynamic fashion markets. The presence of a Saudi leader at the head of such a prestigious jury is likely to further reinforce the country’s position as an increasingly important player in shaping the future of fashion across the Arab world and beyond.
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Photos: LABICIE
