Social Advances: Saudi Arabia hosts first-ever fashion week

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Social norms are loosening a bit in Saudi Arabia as the deeply conservative country hosts its first-ever fashion week in the capital city of Riyadh. Any exhibition like this four-day show that started Tuesday would've been hard to imagine just a few years ago. NAWIED JABARKHYL has the story.

It's another sign of Saudi Arabia opening up. The country's first fashion week is taking place in the capital Riyadh. Just a few years ago, a move like this would've been hard to imagine, given the strict public dress code still in place for women here.

PRINCESS NOURA BINT FAISAL AL SAUD HONORARY PRESIDENT, ARAB FASHION COUNCIL "Socially, I feel like everyone's having the room to be creative, to challenge themselves. A lot of people have so many brilliant ideas, now it's time for them to make that happen."

The event also has the backing of the Saudi government. 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has eased social restrictions recently, lifting a ban on women driving and on cinemas, with the first screens set to open this month.

NAWIED JABARKHYL RIYADH "The mere hosting of a show like this can be considered progress in Saudi Arabia. But, like much of the social change that's happening here, there is a delicate balance to be struck. Media have been allowed to attend the opening ceremony, but the actual shows will be behind closed doors and strictly for women."

Fashion could also be important for Saudi's finances. Facing another budget deficit of $52 billion this year, its economic reform plan - known as Vision 2030 - wants to boost the private sector and get more women into work.

PRINCESS NOURA BINT FAISAL AL SAUD HONORARY PRESIDENT, ARAB FASHION COUNCIL "I would love for that money to be spent in the country as well. So, having investment, foreign investment, companies from abroad related to fashion coming into Saudi [and] investing."

According to data firm Statista, Saudi's domestic fashion industry was worth $1.9 billion last year. That's set to rise to over $3 billion by 2022. The new focus on spending at home could mean an opportunity for international brands.

CAROLINE RUSH, CEO BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL "London is known for its emerging talent and that emerging talent is known for its creativity. And, I think bringing that into this market, the sharing of knowledge between those businesses is going to be incredibly important."

Despite being a deeply conservative society, fashion remains a major part of life for many Saudis. And given the historic reforms taking place here, it's an industry that could become more important for its future. Nawied Jabarkhyl, CGTN, Riyadh.