What We Are Reading Today: City of Dreams by Jerald Podair

Updated 23 June 2019
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What We Are Reading Today: City of Dreams by Jerald Podair

When Walter O’Malley moved his Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1957 with plans to construct a new ballpark next to downtown, he ignited a bitter argument over the future of a rapidly changing city. 

For the first time, City of Dreams tells the full story of the controversial building of Dodger Stadium — and how it helped create modern Los Angeles by transforming its downtown into a vibrant cultural and entertainment center, says a review on the Princeton University Press website.

In a vivid narrative, Jerald Podair tells how Los Angeles was convulsed between 1957 and 1962 over whether, where, and how to build Dodger Stadium. 

Competing civic visions clashed. Would Los Angeles be a decentralized, low-tax city of neighborhoods, as demanded by middle-class whites on its peripheries? Or would the baseball park be the first contribution to a revitalized downtown that would brand Los Angeles as a national and global city, as advocated by leaders in business, media, and entertainment?


Amira Al-Zuhair stars in Dolce & Gabbana campaign

Updated 59 min 31 sec ago
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Amira Al-Zuhair stars in Dolce & Gabbana campaign

DUBAI: Saudi-French model Amira Al-Zuhair stars in a new campaign for Italian luxury label Dolce & Gabbana.

The Ramadan campaign sees the rising model show off a silver, floor-length gown against a backdrop of desert dunes.

It is not the only seasonal campaign the model has starred in as of late — in early February, she took to Instagram to share shots from a Ramadan photoshoot for Italian brand Loro Piana.

Al-Zuhair has begun the year with a series of high-profile appearances. In addition to the Loro Piana campaign, she walked the runway at Jacquemus’ Fall/Winter 2026 “Le Palmier” show in Paris last month.

The event, staged at the Musee National Picasso, brought Simon Porte Jacquemus’ latest co-ed collection to life with playful yet sculptural silhouettes, blending mid-century couture references and 1990s sensibilities.

“Merci infiniment Simon. It was an honor to be part of this iconic show with such an amazing team, congratulations! Thank you for having me,” posted Al-Zuhair.

The model closed a segment of the show in an ensemble that captured the collection’s nod to both elegant simplicity and bold form.

She wore a black midi skirt with a structured blazer top with cutout detail at the back, cinched at the waist with a wide belt. The look was completed with a wide-brimmed hat that added a touch of drama.

The Jacquemus presentation, which also acted as the finale of Paris Men’s Fashion Week, wove together confetti-like motifs, geometric forms and a celebration of joie de vivre, encapsulating Jacquemus’ irreverent yet refined vision ahead of the upcoming couture season.

Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has appeared on the runway for renowned fashion houses.

She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and more.

In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.