The history of the thobe has long been documented throughout the ages as the official dress code for males in the Arab world. The styles might seem different from time to time but the main concept is still the same, the most important thing is comfort when it comes to any dress code. The thobe, jalabiya, dishdasha, or kandura as they’re known in the Arab world are the same but differ ever so slightly, in the way the collar is folded or the sleeves for example, but they basically hold the same concept. “Toby” by Hatem Al-Akeel is considered one of the top brands for thobes with the designer’s innovative designs that not only stay true to its original form but are modern mixed in with the classic, clean cut, sleek lines and made from the finest of fabrics that give a luxurious and comfortable feel. Toby’s founder Hatem Al-Akeel is a renowned designer known for his minimalistic approach, “The late King Faisal (of Saudi Arabia) was a pioneer when it came to fashion and integrity. It was through him that I became inspired to focus on classic elegance,” says Al-Akeel.
Toby’s latest fashion line is the Toby Life style shoot. It’s all about going back to the basics of traditional sensibility and a natural sense of elegance and preserving culture. The holy month of Ramadan is a month where comfort is an essential part of the day. The traditional thobe is the go-to item for any male headed to work, to a family gathering or simply relaxing at home. Toby has defined itself in the market for being the brand that reflects on comfort and style for any occasion. This collection is inspired by the urban arabesque lifestyle of the Toby gentleman.
Coincidentally, both Ramadan and Eid fell in summer this year, and summer is a time to relax and reenergize. Ramadan is the month of joy, reconnecting with your inner spirituality, a month of peach and serenity. Eid is one of the most joyous occasions after Ramadan as it consists of festivities and gatherings with family, friends and loved ones. What better way to truly enjoy Ramadan along with its piety than with comfortable attire. Al-Akeel has always made it his mission to create something that speaks comfort before style, “I wouldn’t design something I wouldn’t personally feel comfortable in, the comfort of my customers always comes first. This is why I chose the best fabrics in light colors for the hot summer days while keeping the details simple and minimalistic for a more relaxed feel,” says Al-Akeel.
The thobe has always symbolized comfort before anything else. Men require it to go on their daily tasks and with this understanding Al-Akeel has made it his mission to incorporate comfort with style, masculinity and elegance in his designs. The story behind the latest campaign is of the Toby gentleman’s lifestyle on a weekend retreat to gather his thoughts and recharge his energy. It is always elegant, never compromising tradition but continuing to show the contemporary side of tradition with a modem mindset.
Al-Akeel’s innovative designs always come back to his original concept “comfort.” His designs reflect upon his diverse travels and the way he is inspired by different cultures. The one thing though he agrees upon is the unnecessary need for extreme experimentation. The thobe is as traditional as it gets and his designs comprise clean and crisp lines and silhouettes not far from the original concept of the traditional cultural icon.
The collection features light-colored fabrics, simple details and sharp lines combined with the finest of fabrics presented with an emporium of fashion, fun and style. Toby’s designs are all about revolutionizing the thobe. Toby “Urban Arabesque Lifestyle” is available in Toby boutiques in Jeddah, Riyadh and while Toby stores are only in the Kingdom, it is now possible to shop at Toby from almost anywhere in the world due to the launch of the brand new e-commerce website, http://www.tobybyhatem.com/.
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Toby: Traditional thobes with a twist
Toby: Traditional thobes with a twist
Bella Hadid embraces rodeo style
DUBAI: As the National Finals Rodeo took over Las Vegas, it was not just the action in the arena drawing attention. American Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid was in the stands, lending her support to boyfriend and professional horse cutter Adan Banuelos — and doing so in unmistakable Western style.
The model, who has long embraced cowboy aesthetics, returned to full rodeo mode for the event. She wore a vintage-style paisley top paired with a classic, fringe-trimmed leather jacket. Leaning into the look, Hadid layered a second leather piece underneath — a sleeveless vest featuring a heart-shaped cut-out at the back.
Her accessories followed suit. A dark brown cowboy hat, leather riding boots and a printed belt with a statement buckle grounded the outfit, while stacks of silver bangles and rings added a finishing touch.
For another outing at the rodeo, Hadid switched gears with a monochrome ensemble that nodded to bohemian influences. She wore white bootcut trousers with a cream turtleneck beneath a suede fringed duster coat. Beaded necklaces and a medallion-style belt completed the look.
The standout accessory was her vintage Fendi Mama Baguette — the larger iteration of Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic bag — rendered in bold leopard print. Hadid wore the ensemble from the arena to the fair, where she was later spotted sharing curly fries with her beau.
The model has been dating Banuelos since October 2023 and regularly supports the star at his various competitions.
Since the two began dating, Banuelos has helped the model — who trained as an equestrian in her youth — find her way back into the saddle, training her and cheering her on at competitions, which eventually led to a Rookie of the Year win last December.
Showing her love and appreciation for her horseman beau at the time, Hadid shared a heartfelt post, where she wrote: “Thank you @ab_performancehorses for supporting me in my dreams this year and never treating me any different. You, your heart, your talent, your family, and your team went above and beyond for us to get this done and I appreciate it more than any of you know!! Love you all so much it hurts!”
