LONDON: The stage is set for the first major fashion week in the Kingdom and as designers from across the region frantically sew on the final sequin and trim those pesky hemlines, Arab News shares exclusive insights from Princess Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud, honorary president of the event organizers, Arab Fashion Council (AFC), who shed light on the importance of this seminal sartorial event in Saudi Arabia.
With the market for luxury brands well established in the Kingdom, some of the biggest names in international fashion are attending the event, which kicked off last night with a glittering opening ceremony. Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli, French couturier Jean-Paul Gaultier and Russian designer Yulia Yanina will all be in attendance, as will British luxury department store Harvey Nichols, which is hosting a series of trunk shows with the AFC.
Attendees can expect an eclectic array of designs reflecting the cosmopolitan character of Arab style and will get a front row seat as the fashion industry’s who’s who from across the Middle East showcase their latest innovations.
“A lot of things have been changing in Saudi Arabia…. now we can invite everyone to come here and be a part of this change. We have so many talented designers in this country and such a love for fashion. Now we can show that to the world,” Princess Noura told Arab News.
“What we’re doing is a fashion event, but it’s beyond that: We’re opening doors to so many other things as well,” she added. The hope it that the inaugural Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh will set a precedent, bringing the country’s burgeoning style sector to the world’s attention while raising the profile of other industries in the Kingdom.
By inviting people from every part of the world to see Saudi Arabia, the event seeks to promote tourism, attract foreign investment and create employment opportunities, all of which are “pillars of Vision 2030,” Princess Noura said.
“It’s not just about women buying clothes. It’s about the knowledge they can gain by being creative, challenging people to think outside the box and bolstering creative industries across the board.”
Last December, the country stepped into the style spotlight when the AFC announced plans to open offices in Riyadh, claiming a spot on the Middle East’s fashion map amid bold statements that Saudi Arabia was to be a new hub for the region.
But it was news that the next Arab Fashion Week would be hosted in Riyadh that went global earlier this year, catching the international fashion community off guard as they rushed to secure a seat for the set of shows.
Demand for the event exceeded expectations, promoting organizers to postpone so they could increase capacity. Interest from the international community has been “really optimistic” and bodes well for an event that will “mark history,” Princess Noura said.
The first Arab Fashion Week in Riyadh is set to run from April 10-14 and is taking place in the city’s Ritz-Carlton hotel. With more than 13 fashion designers taking part — including renowned Lebanese-Italian talent Tony Ward and brands from Kazakhstan, Egypt and the UAE — it is the ideal opportunity to introduce the region’s brightest fashion stars to the Saudi market.
This will no doubt go a long way in supporting plans to develop a fashion city in Riyadh, creating a destination “with all the fashion brands in one place” as part of a push to encourage more global fashion houses to establish a presence in the Kingdom, according to Princess Noura.
“A lot of Arabs travel to Europe and the US to buy clothes. The idea is that they will be able to do this in their own country,” she said. “It’s a really exciting market for brands… Arab people care about wearing stylish clothes every day. We love to dress up, to show our sense of fashion, and that is really appealing for designers.”
By attracting foreign brands to establish a presence in the Kingdom, she hopes to “bring something new to the country” while building on a wealth of homegrown talent that lays the foundation for a flourishing fashion industry that could reach across the region.
“I’d like to see brands here that don’t exist in many other parts of the world and (I would like) to have manufacturing done in Saudi Arabia, creating more jobs for women,” Princess Noura said.
She isn’t the only one with high hopes for the country. Jacob Abrian, the 26-year-old CEO of the AFC, has similar dreams for the Kingdom.
“I’m so proud of Vision 2030. Not only does it support Saudi Arabia, but it will make it the hub of the Arab world… I’m proud to say that (the country) is going to surprise everyone around the world in a top-notch manner,” he told Arab News.
Arab Fashion Week comes to Riyadh
Arab Fashion Week comes to Riyadh
Camila Cabello can’t get enough of Lebanese designers
DUBAI: US singer-songwriter Camila Cabello is proving to be a loyal fan of Lebanese designers, stepping out in Andrea Wazen heels this week following a high-profile appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in a Tony Ward dress.
Wazen took to Instagram to share two photos of Cabello showcasing her designs. In the first, Cabello wore chic black open-toe heels called “Carol,” featuring a slender stiletto and white insole. She paired them with a fitted black halter-neck dress, styled with platinum blonde hair and dark sunglasses.
In the second photo, she wore the “Carol” heels again, but this time in white. The heels feature a signature strap across the toes with a twist detail at the front.
For this look, Cabello opted for a tailored beige blazer and matching mini skirt, paired with a light blue button-down shirt styled asymmetrically. An oversized bow on one shoulder and an untucked hem added a playful, relaxed touch to the polished outfit.
Her Tony Ward dress, worn at the Video Music Awards in September, featured a black lace design with intricate embroidery across sheer fabric. With a fitted silhouette and semi-transparent sleeves, the look was completed by a dramatic black lace veil.
Trained in Paris and London, Wazen launched her eponymous brand in 2017. Her designs are known for their sleek silhouettes and meticulous craftsmanship.
Recognized for her impact on the fashion world, Wazen has become a prominent name in luxury footwear, putting Lebanese design on the global fashion map. Her creations have been worn by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Cardi B, and more.
The latest celebrity to embrace her designs was US actress Sydney Sweeney, who wore the designer’s “Denver” heels in white nappa and mesh.
Additionally, US singer and songwriter Kelsea Ballerini recently attended the premiere of “Doctor Odyssey” in Wazen’s “Rouches” sandals in beige.
Beyond celebrity endorsements, Wazen has earned industry acclaim, receiving the Fashion Trust Arabia Accessories Designer Award in 2019 and the Emerging Talent prize at the Footwear News (FN) Achievement Awards in 2020.
Palestinian Jordanian designer overcomes hurdles to gain Fashion Trust Arabia nomination
- Sylwia Nazzal in running for Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award, to be announced on Oct. 24
DUBAI: Qatar’s Fashion Trust Arabia Awards have become something of a powering force in the regional fashion scene, with winning designers often looking back on the grant as the catalyst that shifted their careers up a gear. That is something that this year’s finalists are hoping for, including Palestinian Jordanian designer Sylwia Nazzal, whose story so far is one of overcoming hurdles.
The 23-year-old Parsons Paris graduate is a finalist for the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award, alongside Iraqi Mahmood Al-Safi and Lebanese Mira Maktabi.
She may be a fashion scene fledgling, but Nazzal has the sort of confident resilience that would impress even the most steely industry mogul, having faced what she says was heavy pushback over her politically inspired final project, “What Should Have Been Home.”
The collection is a statement on Palestinian strength, according to the designer, who was inspired by archival images of the harsh treatment of children and adults by Israeli armed forces.
“When I was coming up with the name, it came to me because I was sitting with a group of people and they were talking to me about how they want to do their thesis about their home … I’m like, ‘mine is what should have been,’” she said.
Nazzal said she had faced a lack of interest from potential job prospects as well as European fashion awards due to the collection.
“When you open my portfolio, the first thing is my thesis collection, which is called ‘What Should Be Home’ about Palestinian resistance against oppression and then you see the imagery of children being arrested by soldiers. I think immediately people closed the portfolio and sent it back,” she said.
But then she chanced upon Fashion Trust Arabia and its yearly award, the next edition of which will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco in October.
The FTA 2024 Advisory Board selected 18 finalists from applications submitted by emerging talent from across the MENA region, who are competing for six awards: The Ready-to-Wear Award, the Eveningwear Award, the Jewelry Award, the Accessories Award, the Fashion Tech Award and the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award.
The board included the likes of British celebrity-loved designer Erdem Moralıoglu, jewelry designer Gaia Repossi and US designer Kelly Wearstler.
The winners will receive a financial grant of $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the size of their business, with $50,000 for the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award. Various mentoring and retail opportunities are also available, dependent on the award category.
Nazzal is under consideration for a collection that plays heavily on form and fabric, with textiles chosen for the largely monochromatic collection reflecting the concepts of endurance and resilience, with heavy use of nylon across the pieces.
Meanwhile, silhouettes echo the traditional khimar dress, to recall Islamic attire and traditions. The shapes and materials offer a sense of “otherworldliness,” according to the designer, because: “I’m Palestinian, I’ve only been to Palestine once … I have friends who’ve never been to Palestine but are super-connected to Palestine … some might say it doesn’t exist or it partially exists or it’s no longer Palestine, and yet we all still claim it and so it kind of creates this other world, other universe of where Palestine exists, as it does in the physical, but also in a spiritual sense.”
When it comes to choosing one piece that sums up her collection, Nazzal deliberated before opting for a dress made from 10,000 Palestinian coins.
“I worked with Palestinian refugee women here in Jordan to hand stitch it and it was a lot of effort. That is actually what embodies the collection … (because) there’s this weight, this reflectiveness, this sense of armor, as a spiritual armor … protecting the entity of Palestine.”
Amina Muaddi celebrates PETA win on Instagram
DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian luxury shoe designer Amina Muaddi took to Instagram to celebrate her win at the PETA Vegan Awards 2024.
Muaddi won the award for Best Vegan Heels in the Fashion category for her stylish Brito Slipper heels crafted from plexiglass and TPU.
“I won a @peta award for the Brito,” she wrote on Instagram Stories and shared a photo of the award.
Now in their 11th year, the PETA Vegan Awards celebrate fashion companies and designers dedicated to creating animal-friendly clothing, shoes, accessories and bags. The 2024 winners include Berlin-based GmbH for its innovative leather biker jacket and Armedangels for its eco-conscious recycled linen blazer, among others.
Last month, Muaddi unveiled her latest pair of heels on none other than Barbadian superstar Rihanna as the footwear mogul was spotted at Milan Fashion Week.
Muaddi created a custom-made pair of Anok mules for the singer in a shade called butter satin, which Muaddi showed off on Instagram before hitting the streets at the now-concluded Milan Fashion Week.
The designer attended shows by Ferragamo, The Attico and Gucci and showed off apparel by each of the brands as she sat in the front row.
She also turned heads at the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week last month, while French Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair graced the runway for Danish fashion label Ganni.
Muaddi, who is a regular at Dior fashion shows, opted for a classic white button-down shirt and a sleek black satin pencil skirt. Her look was accessorized with a pair of dark, round sunglasses and a small, textured blue Dior handbag.
Since launching her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, Muaddi has attracted a loyal following of celebrities including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber. Her brand, known for its distinctive footwear, bags and jewelry, has quickly become a favorite among the fashion elite.
Since the launch, Muaddi has enjoyed a series of successful events, notably her collaboration with Rihanna’s Fenty collection. This partnership was immensely successful, earning the Collaborator of the Year award at the 34th FN Achievement Awards in 2020.
A year after this accolade, Muaddi’s influence and success were further recognized when she was named one of Women’s Wear Daily and Footwear News’ 50 Most Powerful Women.
Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening
DUBAI: British actress Tilda Swinton wore an all-black ensemble from Maison Alaia on the red carpet at the New York Film Festival screening of her film “The Room Next Door.”
The simple design from the label, which was founded by late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaia, featured a black sweater and skirt, which Swinton paired with bright red heels.
According to a report by Deadline, the post-screening Q&A for “The Room Next Door” was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of Palestine as well as Lebanon, the recent target of Israeli airstrikes.
A spokesperson told Deadline: “Two individuals held a banner and shouted slogans in the theater during the Q&A following the NYFF screening of Pedro Almodovar’s film ‘The Room Next Door.’ They were peacefully escorted out.”
The protest reportedly drew some applause, along with some shouts calling for them to “go away.” Director Almodovar gave the group a chance to be heard as he and Swinton helped diffuse the situation.
“The Room Next Door” is Spanish filmmaker Almodovar’s first English-language movie. The picture won the Golden Lion at its Venice Film Festival world premiere as well as the Brian Award for Almodovar.
Swinton described the protest as “a dignifying thing for this festival,” adding: “These interruptions are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary, and it is relevant to our film. Syria is the room next door, Beirut, Gaza. Pedro’s film asks us not to look away.”
Georgina Rodriguez leads Guess holiday campaign
DUBAI: Guess this week tapped Saudi Arabia-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez as the face of its 2024 holiday campaign.
Set to launch this month, the collection includes a range of footwear, from high heels to boots, along with ready-to-wear pieces, outerwear and accessories.
Rodriguez, a familiar face for Guess, was photographed by the brand’s longtime collaborator Nima Benati, showcasing an array of looks from the new holiday line.
In one shot, she reclined on a sofa in a nude mini-dress embellished with diamonds. Another look featured her in a satin animal-print dress, paired with a shaggy pink coat and nude heels, accentuated by a bold red handbag. She also appeared in a long camel coat, belted at the waist, with matching snakeskin boots and a handbag.
In another outfit, Rodriguez stunned in a deep red knit dress, styled with knee-high boots and a red handbag. She also posed in black-and-white photos, wearing a denim jumpsuit and pointed-toe heels.
Creative Director Paul Marciano emphasized their strong ongoing collaboration in a statement, saying: “Georgina perfectly embodies the spirit of the Guess woman — her beauty, confidence, and elegance make her the ideal face of our brand.
“Working with her over the years has been a wonderful experience, and this new campaign brings her iconic look and the essence of the brand to the forefront once again,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez said: “I was delighted when Guess asked me to be the face of the Holiday campaign. It is truly an honor to be part of the Guess family, and I am absolutely thrilled for the wonderful opportunity to be a Guess Girl again.”
Rodriguez was in Paris last week for the city’s prestigious fashion show. She attended the Messika and Vetements shows.
For Messika, she donned an off-the-shoulder, form-fitting silver dress with a metallic finish and slight draping at the bust, complementing her look with silver pointed-toe heels, a glitzy diamond necklace and matching earrings.
Meanwhile, for Vetements, Rodriguez was dressed in a sleek, off-the-shoulder black velvet mini dress that she paired with sheer black tights and classic black stiletto heels. For accessories, Rodriguez added a statement diamond necklace and matching earrings with her hair styled in a wet-look finish.
