Hia Hub: A Transformative Experience in Fashion, Beauty, and Art
In a dazzling display of creativity and innovation, Hia Hub, in collaboration with Fashion Futures, kicked off its highly anticipated 5-day conference on November 2, 2023, at Riyadh’s historic JAX District. This year’s event promises to be a remarkable celebration of fashion, beauty, art, design, and luxury, drawing together industry leaders, trendsetters, and influencers from around the globe.
A Star-Studded Opening Night
The opening night of Hia Hub set the stage for an inspiring week ahead, featuring a host of notable attendees, including Bahraini actress Amera Mohammed, Saudi Idol host Rajeh Alharthi, and Saudi actress Khairiah Abulaban. The event also welcomed prominent public figures such as Eleen Suliman, Dr. Hasan Ghoneim, Sultan Bin Abdullatif, and Zainab Al Khalifa, creating an electric atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation.
Visionary Leadership
The event was graced by the insightful remarks of Mai Badr, Editor-In-Chief of Hia Magazine, and Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission. Both leaders emphasized the rapid growth of the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. They highlighted Hia Hub’s pivotal role in inspiring and educating the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Mai Badr reflected on the journey of Hia Hub since its inception in 2021, stating, “When we launched our first edition of Hia Hub, we had a mission to become a leading lifestyle event, bringing together the biggest names in fashion, style, beauty, art, and culture.” She expressed pride in the conference’s growth, noting that this year’s program is more extensive than ever, featuring a rich array of discussions, masterclasses, seminars, and workshops.
Burak Çakmak echoed this sentiment, stating, “At Fashion Futures, our mission is to educate, foster global exchange, and create opportunities for our industry. Hia Hub is the perfect platform to do that.” He invited attendees to explore the transformative changes taking place across the fashion, beauty, and creative industries, emphasizing the power of Saudi fashion showcased through various exhibitions.
A Celebration of Culture and Creativity
Mike Fairburn, Managing Director of SRMGx, expressed pride in Hia Hub’s evolution into the leading fashion, beauty, and lifestyle conference in the region. He noted that the event is a culmination of their dedication to fostering deeper connections between audiences and brands across various industries. The excitement surrounding Hia Hub 3.0 is palpable, especially following the successful SRMG Beach Experience at Cannes Lions earlier in the year.
VIP guests were treated to an exclusive tour of Hia Hub’s exhibitions and activations, which featured luxury brand experiences from renowned names like Richard Mille and Bulgari. The Saudi 100 Brands exhibit showcased the best of local talent, while innovative installations from regional artists such as Rex Chouk and Future Bedouin captivated attendees. This year, Hia Hub introduced the Bacora-sponsored Shopping Hub, offering a diverse lineup of brands for attendees to explore and purchase.
Musical Performances and Cultural Exchange
The night culminated in lively musical performances by Saudi A-Pop Artist Molham and musician Abdulkhaliq at the Billboard Arabia Stage. Billboard Arabia will host live performances throughout the event, featuring a lineup of talented artists from the Arab world, including Saudi singer Dalia Mubarak, Moroccan singer Manal, Lebanese singer Mashael, DJ group Disco Misr, and Kuwaiti singer and producer Daffy, among others.
A Dynamic Program Ahead
Hia Hub officially opened its doors on November 3 and will run until November 7, 2023. The conference features a dynamic program filled with engaging discussions, seminars, and workshops led by prominent figures in the industry. Attendees can look forward to insights from international Lebanese artist Elissa, Arab actresses Shereen Reda, Nadine Njeim, and Stephanie Atala, as well as designer Andrea Wazen and entrepreneur Yara Al Namlah.
Additionally, the highly anticipated masterclasses will be led by industry leaders, including celebrity makeup artist Hindash, celebrity stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray, and digital entrepreneur and luxury consultant Nojoud Al Rumaihi.
For those interested in the full program and schedule of events, more information can be found at hiahub.com.
Conclusion
Hia Hub 2023 is not just a conference; it is a celebration of the vibrant and evolving landscape of fashion, beauty, and art in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. With its impressive lineup of speakers, engaging workshops, and cultural showcases, Hia Hub is poised to inspire and empower the next generation of creative talents, making it a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the industry.
