"Saudi Fashion Makes Striking Debut at Paris Fashion Week"
Mohammed Ashi became the first Saudi designer to present at Paris Fashion Week, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's multi-billion-dollar entry into global culture. As part of a lavish PR campaign, Ashi's haute couture show comes at a time when Riyadh is announcing its own fashion week and projecting retail opportunities worth $32 billion a year. The kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, has been diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy by investing in various sectors, including fashion, movies, sports, video games, and tourism. The social changes within the kingdom have surprised many, with new freedoms and opportunities emerging, particularly for women. However, LGBTQ individuals still face severe repression in Saudi Arabia.