This year’s OUD Fashion Talks attracted a large turnout of both local and international designers

• Ahmad Al-Amir: The successful first edition of the conference is inspiring Gulf Bank to consider organizing the conference on an annual basis.
• Lujain Al-Qenaei: Gulf Bank plays a major role in consolidating sustainability in our local society
• Abdulla Al-Mulaifi: Gulf Bank is keen to support our local youth across various professions.

Kuwait, 05 June 2022: Gulf Bank successfully wrapped up OUD Fashion Talks, the first sustainable fashion conference in Kuwait. The conference, which the Bank held in partnership with 3oud.com, took place from May 31 to June 1 at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center and highlighted the work of a group of international and Kuwaiti designers, as well as a large number of fashion investors, interested parties and specialized journalists. This year’s conference was held under the sponsorship of Zain, Tamdeen Group, and Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company.

The first day witnessed a large turnout of local influencers and social figures, while the second day included a variety of discussion sessions between international and local designers on fashion and sustainability in the clothes industry.

In light of the occasion, the Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, Ahmad Al-Amir, expressed his pride over the outstanding success of the conference, and highlighted how Kuwaiti designers’ talents have attracted the recognition of their international counterparts. The conference was a testament to how fashion can blend both beauty and sustainability, with Al-Amir noting that such a successful first edition of the conference is inspiring Gulf Bank to consider organizing the conference on an annual basis.

Al-Amir explained that Gulf Bank’s objectives in organizing this conference are to consolidate the concept of sustainability environmentally, economically and socially. Furthermore, Gulf Bank aims to highlight sustainable fashion’s role in preserving the environment and support Kuwaiti designers in developing their skills and maximizing their global reach. By inviting international designers to come to Kuwait, the conference marks a great opportunity for local designers to present their talents and concepts to others, creating a rich cultural exchange of ideas and talents.

On a similar note, Al-Amir also added that this year’s conference is an opportunity to support Kuwaiti talents and fashion designers, as well as encourage a cultural diffusion of experiences from world-class designers, all of which will assist local designers in keeping up to date with the latest trends in the world of sustainable fashion and the clothes industry.

Al-Amir also pointed out that Gulf Bank’s corporate management team played an active role at the conference, presenting advisory and financing services to Kuwaiti designers. In doing so, Gulf Bank is assisting local designers by helping them to develop their ideas and ensure their projects have a global reach — all as part of Gulf Bank’s continuous efforts to support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises.

Consolidating Sustainability

The Manager of Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, Lujain Al-Qenaei, also highlighted Gulf Bank’s role in spearheading sustainability initiatives in Kuwaiti society. She noted that as one of the largest financial institutions in Kuwait, and one of the largest companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Gulf Bank has taken on the responsibility of consolidating the concept of sustainability at the environmental, economic and societal levels.

She pointed out that since the launch of its five-year strategy, Gulf Bank has prioritized sustainability. As one of the first Kuwaiti banks and companies to issue a sustainability report for the year 2020, Gulf Bank will also soon be issuing a second report covering the year 2021.

She added: "Since then, local banks have exerted multiple efforts to implement sustainability efforts both within the banks and our local community through a variety of events targeting the environment, economy and our communities. We are proud to note that this year’s OUD Fashion Talks is one of them."

She mentioned that Gulf Bank was one of the first Kuwaiti banks to sign the fifth article of the United Nations’ Principles for empowering women, also becoming the first bank in Kuwait to enact gender equality in employment benefits. In addition, Gulf Bank has continued to pave the way in supporting the youth segment.

Local Youth Initiatives

The Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications, Abdulla Al-Mulaifi, said, "At Gulf Bank, we are keen to support our local youth across various professions, helping them to excel and shine in their chosen paths to achieve the success they deserve both locally and across the globe.”

Al-Mulaifi noted that the Kuwaiti designers won the admiration of both local and international designers at the conference, affirming that Kuwait is brimming with local talent and creative youth who need support, attention and encouragement — all of which Gulf Bank is committed to providing them with as part of its social responsibility program, and its interest in consolidating sustainability in society.

Gulf Bank's vision is to be the leading Kuwaiti Bank of the Future. The Bank is constantly engaging and empowering its employees as part of an inclusive and diversified workplace in recognition of every employee’s role in delivering customer excellence and serving the community at large. With its extensive network of branches and innovative digital services, Gulf Bank is able to give its customers the choice of how and where to conduct their banking transactions, all while ensuring a simple and seamless banking experience.

Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining a robust sustainability program at the community, economic, and environmental levels through sustainability initiatives that are strategically selected to benefit both the country and the Bank. Gulf Bank supports Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” and works with the different relevant parties to achieve it.