With the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia growing and local brands standing out for their designs and quality, hesitation still lingers for some buyers. The same questions keep surfacing: does this local product really deserve its price tag, and why isn’t quality valued in the same way it is with global labels? This article explores the gap between price and expectation, reexamines how we measure value when the product is Saudi, and asks: when will we grant our own industry the trust it truly deserves?
Why is it that when a Saudi product is mentioned, the first question that comes to mind is always about the price, as if value is tied only to numbers and not to identity, beauty, or quality? Why does everything produced locally seem bound by a fixed equation: local equals cheaper?
I don’t know whether this is a deeply rooted habit in our society or simply an attachment to anything foreign, even at the expense of the beauty and quality of local products. All it takes is for a global brand’s name to be stamped on an item for any flaws or drops in quality to be overlooked, as if the name alone were enough to grant it unquestioned superiority.
Yet we produce with quality, design with taste, and carry a message, but we still do not receive the appreciation we deserve. This is where the gap lies, not in the craftsmanship of what we create, but in the way it is valued. The real challenge is not making a good product, but changing how the consumer perceives it.
Do Prices Truly Reflect Product Quality?
At times, yes.
A good Saudi product undergoes a trial harsher than any laboratory test, imposed by the consumer themselves; the uncompromising judge who neither flatters nor forgives. The journey begins with the careful selection of raw materials, followed by high manufacturing costs, wages for skilled labor, and the ongoing challenges of design and experimentation. It all culminates in a product that strives to reflect the taste and aspirations of the local market.
And yet, despite all this effort, the consumer’s legitimate question about the justification for such pricing never disappears.
In the absence of clear transparency around manufacturing stages and production costs, and with some local designers lacking experience in pricing their products accurately due to the lack of a reliable market benchmark, the gap between price and justification becomes even more evident. This is where the questions begin, not only about the product itself but also about the philosophy behind its pricing and the credibility of the brand.
In the absence of clear transparency around manufacturing stages and production costs, and with some local designers lacking experience in pricing their products accurately due to the lack of a reliable market benchmark, the gap between price and justification becomes even more evident. This is where the questions begin, not only about the product itself but also about the philosophy behind its pricing and the credibility of the brand.
What many consumers do not realize is that details such as the type of fabric used and whether the piece is made by hand or by machine have a major impact on pricing. Handcrafted work such as painting, embroidery, and finishing requires far more time, effort, and skill than an item produced on a mass production line, and it also supports local labor. This awareness makes a difference in how value is perceived and helps the consumer make a fairer decision without losing trust in the brand.
From this perspective, it becomes the designer’s responsibility to document everything that sets their product apart, from the types of materials used with exact proportions, to the manufacturing techniques and artisanal details, and present them clearly in the product description. Every piece of information shared enhances the consumer’s understanding and appreciation. At the same time, working with pricing experts ensures that each item receives its true and fair value in line with market standards and quality levels, strengthening consumer trust without undervaluing the designer’s effort.
Clarity and honesty in presenting the product, together with consumer awareness and understanding of pricing factors, can bridge the gap and reshape the relationship between both sides on foundations of greater transparency and respect for both effort and quality.
Brand History and Its Impact on Pricing
The price of a product is not measured only by its visible quality. It is often a reflection of a deeper value that encompasses creative vision, commitment to identity, and respect for the environment and society. This is what Saudi brands have begun to embody, moving beyond offering a beautiful product to building a story, an experience, and a conscious vision that deserves recognition.
Many of these brands started at a time when Saudi Arabia’s fashion industry infrastructure was not yet complete, and before the Fashion Commission was established under the Ministry of Culture to support and empower creatives to reach the global stage. This is why a brand’s history is not measured only in years, but in the depth of knowledge accumulated, the experiences that shaped its identity, its understanding of the market, and the ongoing work to create local products that meet international standards. All of this contributes to forming a true value that justifies its pricing.
For example, the Saudi brand Abadia stands out as a leading model of combining luxury, sustainability, and local craftsmanship. The brand sources 89 percent of its fabrics from sustainable materials and works with Saudi craftswomen in Al-Ahsa to revive techniques such as sadu weaving, Najdi embroidery, and zari.
Founder Shahd AlShehail aims to provide refined alternatives to fast fashion through products that embody deep cultural identity and production values rooted in awareness and responsibility. Its pricing, therefore, is a true reflection of these principles rather than a mere calculation of material cost.
In the same vein, the brand Yasmina Q demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by using natural and recycled fabrics such as FSC-certified materials and deadstock. FSC fabric refers to fibers sourced from sustainably managed forests, ensuring both environmental protection and workers’ rights, and carrying certification from the Forest Stewardship Council.
Meanwhile, the brand Noukk stands out by rediscovering natural camel hair as a luxurious local resource, treated with advanced techniques to rival the softness of cashmere. It is among the few labels that successfully combine authenticity with innovation, while maintaining a clear commitment to sustainability, ethical animal care, and support for local producing communities.
The brand Chaldene has also made sustainability a core principle in its everyday designs by using natural materials and reducing waste through recycling leftover stock. It collaborates with the platform ClimeCo to offset the carbon footprint of production and delivery by supporting verified projects in renewable energy and reforestation. This clear commitment to environmental sustainability and alignment with global climate goals gives the brand a deeper dimension that goes beyond elegance and practicality.
All of these examples show how a brand’s history and vision can provide a logical justification for pricing and give the customer a deeper understanding of what they are paying for, beyond a superficial comparison between one product and another. A conscious product, no matter how simple it may appear, carries within its details an investment in values and standards that make a real difference in the market.
Beyond the Price Tag
It is important for Saudi brands to understand that building value does not stop at the quality of the product itself, but extends to the entire experience offered to the customer. Many customers today are more willing to pay a higher price when they feel genuine appreciation and care from the brand.
This is why brands are advised to strengthen the experience with clear added value, such as after-sales services like maintenance and alterations, exclusive access to limited pieces or special event invitations, along with loyalty programs that reward returning customers with discounts or unique perks.
Attention to details beyond the product translates in the customer’s eyes as respect, turning a higher price into a reflection of a complete experience worth investing in.
Does Pricing Stand in the Way of the Local Fashion Market’s Growth?
Absolutely not. The fashion sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing rapid growth year after year, driven by a rising social awareness of the importance of supporting local products and placing trust in promising Saudi brands. We can clearly observe this shift in consumer behavior, as more people embrace the need to give local creatives an opportunity and recognize the value of the quality and creativity they bring.
This trend has had a positive impact on the market. Between 2021 and 2025, sales in Saudi Arabia’s fashion sector—locally and globally—grew by 48 percent, with a strong compound annual growth rate of 13 percent. This reflects the increasing demand and growing confidence in Saudi brands.
In the end, what we may need is not to reassess the prices of local products but to reassess our perception of them. A price is not excessive when it reflects genuine quality and thoughtful effort, and supporting a product is not a concession but an investment in an industry being built with confidence and ambition. The real question is, when will we give it the appreciation it deserves without hesitation or constant comparison?
