Fashion icon Dolce & Gabbana unveiled a unique strategy for Saudi Arabia, opening up a flagship new store in Via Riyadh after approaching the market with “caution and respect,” Vogue Middle East reported.
D&G is also entering a formal partnership with Diriyah Co., the state-owned company managing the restoration of the capital’s historic Diriyah section, where it plans to open a 2,000-square-meter immersive space in the Bujairi Terrace restaurant district.
“Saudi Arabia is a country to which we have always looked with keen interest for its entrepreneurial and economic dynamism, as well as its ancient culture,” Dolce & Gabbana CEO Alfonso Dolce told Vogue Middle East.
“For years, we have been present in this country, initially approaching the market with caution and respect, deepening our understanding of its history and social aspects. To this day, we can say that the Saudi market is very interesting, reacts positively to incentives and is open to new proposals.”
The report notes the market is prime for a high-end fashion brand like Dolce & Gabbana to accelerate expansion plans in the Saudi market. Euromonitor International’s data shows that Saudi Arabia is home to over 117,000 millionaires in 2022 (individuals with a net wealth between $1-5 million). Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has stated that Riyadh has the potential to be one of the top 10 richest and economic cities in the world by 2030.
Post-pandemic, Dolce & Gabbana was one of the first international brands to stage a fashion show in the Gulf region. Held at the historical location of Al Ula in Saudi Arabia in January 2022, it presented over 50 looks from the archives of its Alta Moda collections against the lit-up structures.
