LONDON: Gulf designers had a strong presence at last week’s opening show of London Arabia Art and Fashion Week, which has become a regular on the British capital’s summer agenda.
With art exhibitions and workshops taking place in various parts of London, the event was a chance for young Arab artists and designers to connect with their British counterparts in the fashion and art industries.
“The third year running, the Arabia Art and Fashion Week in London is becoming a mainstay on London’s thriving cultural scene, and we hope it helps people from both regions to continue to cooperate, trade, exchange and understand each other,” Omar Bdour, the head of London Arabia Organization, told Arab News.
The opening fashion show at the Jumeirah Carlton on Wednesday revealed the latest collections of designers from the Gulf region, namely from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. “We made an effort to select a few designers that have shown special creative and tailoring skills that could be deemed worthy of exhibiting their product at the pop-up shop at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London,” said Asmaa Al-Jabri, the week’s fashion curator.
Al-Jabri and her two sisters started Velvet Abaya in Saudi Arabia 12 years ago, making a mark in the local industry for modest designs.
Lamia Alsamra, another Saudi designer, thrilled visitors with her collections luxurious royal style. The businesswoman from the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia started her multi-brand outlet in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, adding her own designs that slowly developed into a line in 2016.
“My ‘Royal Collection’ is based mainly on tailored designs with hand embroideries and color,” she said.
The show also featured a “Dress for Our Time” made by Professor Helen Storey, tailored from a decommissioned tent from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a reminder that the world needs to solve the growing refugees crisis.
Harvey Nichols’ general manager Simon Youden said that he was excited that it is taking part with its pop-up shop, which continues until Aug. 16. “In summer time, London increases its diversity, and hosting this pop-up is part of what we do at Harvey Nichols in pushing the boundaries of retail and welcoming Arab designers in the store.”
Gulf designers in the spotlight at London Arabia Art and Fashion Week
Gulf designers in the spotlight at London Arabia Art and Fashion Week
- Event offers young Arab artists and fashion designers the opportunity to connect with their UK counterparts
- Dress made from a decommissioned UN tent served as a reminder of the growing refugees crisis
Imaan Hammam stars in festive campaign for Estee Lauder
DUBAI: Dutch-Egyptian-Moroccan model Imaan Hammam is starring in a new festive-season campaign for Estee Lauder.
The model took to Instagram recently to share three photos from the campaign, in which she poses in a red gown alongside models Karlie Kloss and Paulina Porizkova, amid oversized Christmas decorations and baubles.
Hammam was announced as a global ambassador for the US cosmetics giant in 2023.
She spoke about the appointment in an interview with Estee Lauder: “This is the most amazing opportunity to represent and empower girls around the world.
“As a Moroccan-Egyptian woman, I am incredibly honored to take on this role as with such a long-standing brand that promotes diversity and women’s empowerment in the beauty space.”
In 2024, she was the face of a campaign promoting Estee Lauder’s collaboration with acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
The brands launched a lipstick collection — each lipstick is encased in packaging adorned with the signature Sabyasachi Tiger medallion, crafted from 24 karat gold.
One of the most in-demand models in the industry, she was scouted in Amsterdam’s Centraal Station before making her catwalk debut in 2013 by walking in Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show.
Hammam has appeared on the runway for major fashion houses including Burberry, Fendi, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Balenciaga and Carolina Herrera.
And starred in international campaigns for DKNY, Celine, Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, Tiffany & Co. and more.
The model is also making waves outside the world of fashion with her cultural archival platform, Ayni.
Launched earlier this year, Ayni is a social media platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating Arab artistic expression by highlighting significant contributions to film, art, music and literature.
In a video she previously shared on the Ayni Instagram account, she said: “For me, it’s always been so much deeper than just fashion. It is about staying connected to my roots, telling stories that move me and shining a light on the voices that need to be heard.”
She said her hope for Ayni is for it to grow beyond a personal vision and become a “real community.”
