Nowadays, fashion designers are not averse to taking risks. They do not hesitate to experiment and try bold ideas. The bisht, the elegant long cloak Arab men wear over their thobes, has long been considered an important part of the region’s culture.
It is generally worn as part of formal attire reserved for special occasions. Particularly popular in Saudi Arabia, it is also worn in other Gulf countries.
This cloak is usually made of wool and ranges in color from white, beige, and cream to the darker shades of brown, grey and black. The word bisht is derived from the Persian — to go on one’s back.
However, this formal cloak has now been given a new purpose. It can now be worn on vacation at the beach.
Beach Bisht is an example of a fusion of ideas. It is a unique concept that combines the design of a traditional Saudi bisht with bath towel material,
This unique idea came to Nasir Farsi, who is known for thinking outside the box.
Dareen Nawar, the brand manager, told Arab News that it was a unique product designed for people’s convenience.
“There are girls who wear it instead of an abaya to the beach. With the pockets and the hood, it becomes very functional and smart for all ages,” Nawar said, adding that it took them some time to reach perfection. “The product went from a trial and error phase before it took its final form. It was challenging to make people accept such a different usage of a traditional garment.”
She said it took the idea sometime for people to accept despite its obvious utility.
The biggest challenge that the brand is currently facing is a lack of suppliers. The product is designed in Saudi Arabia but manufactured abroad. They are looking now for local suppliers who can provide them with the same quality.
The Beach Bisht team is full of ambitions and has long-term plans. They aspire to become 100 percent free of plastic and completely eco-friendly. Nawar said: “We want to become a sustainable brand and expand into leisurewear and apparel.”
Startup of the Week: Beach Bisht: New use of a traditional garment
https://arab.news/yjhm2
Startup of the Week: Beach Bisht: New use of a traditional garment
- This cloak is usually made of wool and ranges in color from white, beige, and cream to the darker shades of brown, grey and black
Yusra Mardini champions Refugee Olympic Team in Paris
DUBAI: Syrian Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini will champion the Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games in Paris this week.
She took to Instagram to post a message encouraging support for the team.
In a video shared with her 804,000 followers, Mardini said: “I am here to introduce you to a very special team that have fought harder and traveled further to be here tonight. They are the Refugee Olympic Team.
“Please support them with all your hearts, and when you see them, show your support by sharing your heart with them.”
The Olympian also gave fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her career highlights. One snap shows her posing next to a sign reading “Brazil,” with the caption: “Where it all started eight years ago,” a nod to her participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
On Wednesday, Mardini carried the Olympic flame while representing the Refugee Olympic Team.
The Olympic torch tradition dates back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics when Carl Diem, secretary-general of the Olympic organizing committee, proposed the idea of a relay carrying the symbol from the founding site of the ancient Olympics to the Games.
Yusra and her sister Sarah’s journey from Syrian war refugees to Olympic athletes has been chronicled in the BAFTA-nominated film “The Swimmers.”
The sisters fled their war-torn home in 2015, making a perilous journey to Europe that included swimming for three hours to push a sinking boat to safety. Settling in Germany, Yusra resumed her training and joined the Refugee Olympic Team, competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She is also a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and focuses on her Yusra Mardini Foundation, which facilitates education and sports opportunities for refugees.
Gigi Hadid stuns at ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ NYC premiere
- Ensemble from Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection
- Hadid posed on the red carpet alongside friend Blake Lively
DUBAI: US-Dutch-Palestinian model Gigi Hadid turned heads at the “Deadpool & Wolverine” premiere in New York City this week wearing an ensemble from Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 Ready-to-Wear collection.
The outfit featured a yellow bandeau top that was paired with a matching mustard yellow skirt in a knee-length cut and flowing silhouette. Hadid’s look was accessorized with a brown belt, black strappy heels and a yellow handbag.
Her jewelry included large gold hoop earrings and a statement gold chain necklace. She wore several chunky bangles in brown and gold, and a glitzy diamond anklet on her left ankle.
Her blonde bob was styled sleek and smooth, with her bangs shaped into a bouncy, old Hollywood-inspired swoop.
Hadid posed on the red carpet alongside her friend Blake Lively, who was there to support her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who stars as Deadpool in the film.
Lively donned a striking off-the-shoulder jumpsuit from Atelier Versace. The outfit was crafted from a deep red, satin-like material and featured intricate black lace detailing throughout.
Lively accessorized the look with statement earrings and several rings. Her hair was styled in a sleek high ponytail, completing the ensemble.
Both Hadid and Lively continued their fashionable night with new outfits for the film’s after-party.
Hadid opted for a vibrant yellow trench coat made from a glossy, vinyl-like material from LaQuan Smith. The coat featured a classic trench silhouette with a wide lapel, belted waist and flared hem that fell just below the knees.
Meanwhile, Lively wore a head-turning Balmain minidress with a red and blue color scheme. The off-the-shoulder ensemble was adorned with large, three-dimensional red roses along the neckline and hemline.
The upcoming superhero film “Deadpool & Wolverine” is based on Marvel Comics characters. In addition to Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, the film features Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine.
The plot centers on Deadpool teaming up with a recovering Wolverine to face a common enemy. The film delves into the dynamic between the two characters, exploring their regrets and quarreling relationship.
The film is directed by Shawn Levy and is set to release in Saudi Arabia on July 25.
Mona Tougaard stars in new Marc Jacobs campaign
DUBAI: Model Mona Tougaard is the face of Marc Jacobs’ Fall 2024 eyewear collection “The Sunglasses.”
The catwalk star, who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry, took to Instagram to announce the campaign, posting a photo along with a simple heart emoji.
Last month, Berlin-based magazine-turned-fashion label 032c presented its menswear spring/summer 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week, where Tougaard featured.
She strutted down the runway in a form-fitting suit with a cropped blazer and a blue buttoned-shirt layered underneath. The look was complemented with dark shades and her hair was slicked back in a low bun.
She was not the only regional model on the runway; Tougaard was joined by British-Moroccan model Nora Attal, who wore a sheer, reflective fishnet-like black dress.
The collection, designed by Maria Koch, is titled “Everything Counts” and included outerwear, feminine suiting and versatile denim co-ords suitable for day and night wear.
Collarless 032c jackets featured tonal gothic lettering, while army parkas and deconstructable cargo pants were paired with boxy vinyl tops.
Last month, 032c also announced on Instagram that Tougaard had been named the artistic talent director for the collection.
“Tougaard is an inherent member of the 032c universe, who has starred on our magazine covers, our editorials, and our previous FW-24 show. It is an organic progression to involve Tougaard more closely in 032c’s creative processes together with creative director Maria Koch and fashion director Ras Bartram,” the post read.
Tougaard started 2024 with a bang, gracing the runway for Chanel during Paris Haute Couture Week in January. Tougaard wore a black thigh-high coat-style dress with white buttons and a sheer white skirt underneath, teamed with wore white stockings and black heeled sandals.
Tougaard started her modeling career in 2017 after winning the Elite Model Look Denmark competition at the age of 15. Since then, she has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry, known for her work with top designers and luxury brands including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel and Valentino.
Squatwolf expands in Saudi Arabia with new warehouse, fitness events
- UAE brand opens warehouse able to handle 30,000 orders a day
- Company was founded in 2016 by Anam Khalid and Wajdan Gul
DUBAI: From starting as a passion project to now serving athletes in over 200 countries, Squatwolf, the gym-wear brand co-founded by Anam Khalid and Wajdan Gul, is expanding in Saudi Arabia.
The founders have opened a warehouse in the Kingdom.
“We take pride in being the first gym-wear brand in the Kingdom that is supporting Vision 2030, fueling the power of the gym as a playground of self-improvement to all,” Khalid told Arab News recently.
“Our Saudi warehouse is a demonstration to our commitment as a UAE brand to support the region and go all in.”
The Saudi Arabia warehouse can process up to 30,000 orders a day and ensures same-day delivery in Riyadh and next-day delivery to major cities, including Jeddah, Dammam, Alkhobar and Makkah, Gul said.
The brand plans to collaborate with retail and gym partners, local ambassadors and organize community events to support their expansion goals.
“We’re here to recognize every gym-goer, regardless of their fitness level,” Khalid said.
Gul confirmed that The Squatwolf Games, a prominent fitness event in Dubai, is set to make its debut in Saudi Arabia.
“Yes, Squatwolf Games is coming to Saudi and coming in big. We’re constantly evolving the games to something bigger and better.”
The brand will also participate in the KSA Muscle Show, further engaging with the local fitness community.
The company was founded in 2016 by Khalid and Gul. “It all started when Gul and I realized there wasn’t a gym-wear brand in the region that matched our love for the gym, its community, and the impact it has on all aspects of our life,” Khalid said.
Gul believes the fitness and activewear market in the Kingdom is booming. “With the Saudi 2030 Vision in place, more gyms are opening up every day, fitness is becoming a way of life and staying healthy is on everyone’s radar,” he explained.
“Being the first gym-wear brand in the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia, gives us a competitive advantage to stay one step ahead across insight-driven product performance, local communities and gym-goer demands,” Khalid added.
Adidas faces backlash for dropping Bella Hadid from sneaker campaign
- Shoes linked to 1972 Munich Games killing of Israeli athletes.
LONDON: Adidas on Friday dropped American model Bella Hadid from an advertising campaign for sneakers that are associated with the 1972 Munich Olympics, following criticism from pro-Israeli groups.
The German sportswear company apologized for the “upset and distress” caused by choosing Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, as the face of its relaunched SL72 sports shoes. The original version of the footwear was created for the 1972 Games, during which 11 Israeli athletes and a German policeman were killed by a Palestinian militant group.
The relaunch of the shoe last week drew criticism from the Israeli government, in a message posted on social media platform X, and several Jewish groups. They questioned the decision by Adidas to select Hadid to advertise a shoe originally associated with an event during which several Israelis were killed.
Adidas said it would “revise” its campaign and added: “We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events, though these are completely unintentional, and we apologize for any upset or distress caused.”
Hadid has repeatedly made public comments critical of the Israeli government and in support of Palestinians over the years. In an Instagram post dated Oct. 23 last year she described the military campaign launched by Israeli authorities following the Oct. 7 attacks as “the most intense bombardment in the history of Gaza,” and lamented the loss of innocent Palestinian lives.
“US White House National Security Council dangerously says Israel ‘owes no one any justification’ and that it will have ‘no red lines.’ Innocent lives should always be justified in the name of humanity,” she added.
“Israel has completely shut off telecommunications and electricity across Gaza. Injured civilians currently can’t call ambulances. Medics are begging reporters to let them know where bombardments are happening, but reporters don’t know either because of the internet outage. The people of Gaza have nowhere to go. Children are dying. Please.”
The decision to drop Hadid from the campaign prompted a wave of support for the model on social media, with figures such as journalists Mehdi Hasan and Candace Owens criticizing Adidas. Some people called for a boycott of the company.
