In a spectacular return to Kuwait, Oud Fashion Talks (OFT) took centre stage on the 17th and 18th of October, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the growth of the region’s creative economy.
Guests at the Gala Dinner
This year’s event, hosted at the iconic AlShaheed Park, attracted global industry experts, entrepreneurs, and creative visionaries, offering unparalleled insights to help local talents thrive in the competitive world of fashion and business.
With a focus on how soft power can drive economic development, OFT emphasized the need for creatives to build sustainable businesses and explore new job opportunities within the sector.
The two-day event featured a comprehensive programme designed to educate local designers on the importance of creating eco-conscious brands and highlighted the growing role of Kuwait’s creative industries in driving economic diversification.
Industry talks took place throughout the two-day event
The event kicked off on October 17th with a glamorous Gala Dinner, graced by a host of prominent international and Kuwaiti personalities. Among the distinguished guests were Imran Amed, Founder & CEO of The Business of Fashion, Khaled Altayer, CEO of AlTayer Group, famed Egyptian actress Dorra Zarouk, Influencer Karen Wazen, Kuwait’s beloved actress Huda Hussien and comedian and activist Bassem Youssef.
A presentation held as part of the gathering
Oud Fashion Talks has become synonymous with empowerment. This year, the event’s focus on sustainability as a core business value underscored the importance of teaching designers how to build brands that not only survive but thrive in an increasingly conscious global market. With an eye on long-term growth, OFT provided participants with practical tools and strategies to help turn their creative passions into successful ventures.
The Gala Dinner set up
The event featured a series of dynamic panel discussions and hands-on workshops. Speakers included industry heavyweights like celebrated fashion designer Elie Saab, Imran Amed, and Mohammad Almarzouq, CEO of Tamdeen Retail. These industry leaders shared their experiences and insights on overcoming challenges in fashion and retail, sparking inspiration among attendees. A highlight of the workshops was a collaboration with Instagram Inc. (Meta), which provided crucial guidance on using digital platforms to expand business reach, along with professional design and photography techniques to elevate creative outputs.
A defining achievement of this year’s OFT was the increased visibility it brought to local Kuwaiti brands. Following their participation in the event, several designers attracted interest from prestigious investors and luxury retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Harvey Nichols, creating exciting new avenues for growth. The event helped catapult these brands into the spotlight, fostering connections that could shape the future of the country’s burgeoning fashion industry.
OFT also celebrated a new milestone for Kuwait’s creative economy with the founding of Ibrah, a local production factory that now supports small businesses and local designers by providing essential infrastructure. This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in scaling up local production, opening new jobs, and cementing Kuwait’s position as a creative hub in the Gulf region.
