What We Are Buying Today: Saudi label By Jana Khojah

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Updated 24 October 2022
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What We Are Buying Today: Saudi label By Jana Khojah

By Jana Khojah is a Saudi brand founded in 2019 that produces high-end Saudi styles like abayas and farwas with a modern twist. 

The brand was established by Saudi designer Jana Khojah in Jeddah and prioritizes high-quality elegance while emphasizing Saudi style in everyday wear for women. Combining classic silhouettes with fabrics and details that are not usually associated with the abaya — like feathers, fur and leather — By Jana Khojah creates unique pieces for a range of tastes. 

With regard to seasonal limited-edition pieces, the brand offers distinctive and elegant staple pieces. 

Khojah, who received frequent compliments and questions about the abayas she made for herself, began getting requests to create them for others. She founded her fashion label during the coronavirus pandemic, and it became a huge hit, expanding to include teams for embroidery and handmade goods. The brand also has its own perfume line inspired by French perfumes. 

By Jana Khojah offers cleaning instructions to accompany every garment, as the natural fabrics used in their creation, such as silk or fur, can be delicate and require special attention. To ensure the pieces arrive undamaged, they are wrapped in paper packing and then in carton boxes.

Prices are reasonable for the uniqueness and quality of the creations. Follow By Jana Khojah’s Instagram account @jk.designer1 for more details.


Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

  • Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe”

DUBAI: Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah and Saudi Olympic rower Husein Alireza.

The cast is rounded out by Omani artist Mays Almoosawi, Kuwaiti visual artist Najd Al-Taher, Emirati film director Sarah Al-Hashimi, Kuwaiti DJ Cascou and Bahraini contemporary artist Salman Al-Najem.

Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe.”

The campaign promotes the brand’s Silver Capsule Collection, its first-ever release for Ramadan by designer JW Anderson. With the concept, creative direction, casting and production by Between Us Boys Studio, and post-production handled by DAHOUL Studio, the clip focuses on a clock ticking down until iftar, the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.

The Silver Capsule Collection released at select stores the Middle East and at Harrods in London, on Sunday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos)

The collection sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover; the Puzzle bag appears in vetiver crocodile, while the Flamenco clutch and Squeeze bag are offered in metallic textures with intricate beading. The ready-to-wear selection boasts silky belted pajamas, soft nappa leather sets, and day-to-night silk dresses.

Los Angeles-based Boulos, who directed the campaign, has worked on short films, music videos, and fashion commercials for the likes of Mercedes Benz, Glossier, and Farfetch.

For her part, Taibah shot to fame for her show “Jameel Jeddan,” the first Saudi show starring, written, and created by a Saudi woman.

The plot of the 2022 release was anything but typical. Strong-headed Jameel wakes up from a five-year coma and is forced to finish her last year in high school and rejoin a society she no longer associates with. As a coping mechanism, she begins to experience glitches in the form of an animated alternative reality.

Taibah is currently working on off-beat Saudi romcom “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she wrote. The film is being directed by Anas Batahaf and will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan.


Angelina Jolie stuns in Elie Saab at Critics’ Choice Awards

Updated 08 February 2025
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Angelina Jolie stuns in Elie Saab at Critics’ Choice Awards

DUBAI: Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie turned heads on Friday at the Critics’ Choice Awards, wearing a gown by renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab.

The dress was from the couturier’s spring/summer 2025 collection. It featured intricate lace detailing throughout, with a flowing, floor-length silhouette. The ensemble had delicate short sleeves, a cinched waistline that highlighted her figure, and a sheer overlay.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

Jolie completed the look with a bold red lip that contrasted with the gown’s soft tones, and styled her hair in loose, effortless waves.

Demi Moore won best actress at the event, confirming her status as favorite for the Oscars.

Moore’s horror film “The Substance” won best original screenplay at the glitzy Los Angeles gala, and critics crowned “Anora” as the year’s best picture.

Moore’s triumph followed her victory at the Golden Globes in January, and puts her on track to cap a remarkable career renaissance at next month’s Oscars.

“This has been such a wild ride,” said Moore, 62, who made a string of hit films in the 1990s, but came to be known as much for her love life as her acting in subsequent decades.

That changed with “The Substance,” a body-horror flick about an aging celebrity who injects a serum to temporarily live again in her younger body.

Nodding to the film’s frequently bloody and horrifying depictions of warped bodies, Moore thanked critics for rewarding “this genre of horror films, that are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold.”


Mrs Keepa’s latest collection ‘La Boite’ is statement on breaking free

Updated 08 February 2025
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Mrs Keepa’s latest collection ‘La Boite’ is statement on breaking free

DUBAI: Mariam Yehia is the ultimate nonconformist. As the founder and creative force behind Dubai-based fashion house Mrs Keepa, her label is not defined by traditional fashion norms. Known for bold silhouettes, sculptural tailoring and avant-garde sensibility, Mrs Keepa thrives on individuality and reinvention. Yehia’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, La Boite, takes this ethos even further — challenging stereotypes, embracing duality, and redefining fashion as a personal and cultural narrative.

At its core, La Boite, which translates to “The Box,” is a direct commentary on the limitations imposed by rigid categorization. “People are always trying to fit fashion, people and even cultures into predefined boxes,” Yehia said. “This collection is about breaking free from that.” Through structured silhouettes, boxy tailoring and unexpected design transformations, the collection encourages wearers to reinterpret fashion on their own terms. Each look can be styled in multiple ways — chic, casual or bold —offering a fluidity that reflects the modern woman’s ever-changing identity.

(Supplied)

Yehia pulls out a black boxy short dress with multiple long pieces of fabric hanging from the padded shoulders and explains how the dress can be worn depending on the wearer’s mood. A client can wear the dress exactly as is — loose and androgynous — or she can tie the fabric and cinch the waist, or even layer it over a skirt and pair it with sneakers. “One outfit can have many different personas,” said Yehia. The same philosophy translates to her more sporty pieces featuring mesh and kimono sleeves — wear it wrapped around as a mini dress, or leave it open and pair it with leggings. Each ensemble gives you more than just a single look. A series of mini dresses with a scarf-like attachment will sell fast, as will the jumpsuit that can be deconstructed and worn as ultra-wide pants.

(Supplied)

While every garment was impactful, the star pieces were undoubtedly the brocade ones. A dramatic thigh-length jacket, shorts and trousers in luxurious brocade were given the sporty treatment through contrast piping —  highlighting the polarities of us as individuals. Elsewhere, denim garments engineered to perfection catch the eye. An edgy denim jacket retains a cinched look even when unbuttoned, while jeans with the waistband folded over featuring sparkling embellishments add a maximalist touch. Loyal Mrs Keepa clients will also be drawn to a red crepe number with exaggerated shoulders and high low layering of fabric, which can be both modest and sexy.  Potential buyers might also enjoy her experimentation with feminine lace — a rarity for Yehia.

(Supplied)

Mrs Keepa has always thrived on storytelling through fashion, and La Boite is no exception. Beyond its sharp tailoring and experimental silhouettes, the collection holds a deeper meaning: A rejection of stereotypes, particularly those imposed on Middle Eastern people. “We’ve been framed for too long. For years, global fashion dictated that for a designer to be successful, they had to be recognized internationally first. But why? Why can’t we build a strong foundation in our own region first, before expanding outward?” She speaks of the diversity of designs within the region itself and of the uniqueness of each Arab designer, whether it is refined tailoring, cool streetwear, maximalist silhouettes or modest fashion. “Despite this diversity, we are still stereotyped. This collection challenges the rigid perceptions that frame the Middle East as a monolithic culture, often diminishing its significance.”

Yehia delivers a collection that is both metaphorically and literally transformative. Whether through adjustable silhouettes, unexpected layering or garments that can be styled in various ways, each piece invites the wearer to reshape, reinterpret and make it their own. “Fashion isn’t just about clothing — it’s about identity, emotion and the freedom to express yourself beyond predefined labels,” Yehia said. La Boite is an invitation to step outside the box — on your own terms.


Les Benjamins makes its debut at Dubai Fashion week  

Updated 08 February 2025
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Les Benjamins makes its debut at Dubai Fashion week  

DUBAI: Les Benjamins, the Istanbul-based brand renowned for blending Eastern and Western influences, made its debut at Dubai Fashion week.

Led by creative director Bunyamin Aydin and by head of women’s wear Lamia Al-Otaishan Aydin, the pair presented the Autumn/Winter 2025 collection on Wednesday. 

Drawing inspiration from the Altai region, the “Altai Turks/Altaicana” collection blends traditional cultural elements and modern fashion. 

Led by creative director Bunyamin Aydin and by head of women’s wear Lamia Al-Otaishan Aydin, the pair presented the Autumn/Winter 2025 collection on Wednesday. (Supplied)

The collection draws inspiration from the Altai people’s harmonious relationship with nature, their ancient traditions, and the mythology that shapes their cultural identity.

Featuring a neutral color palette such as those found in nature, such as warm browns, forest greens and even pieces depicting mountain ranges, the collection is a direct reflection of nature. 

The Saudi designer said the collection was inspired by her husband, the brand’s creative director.

Featuring a neutral color palette such as those found in nature, such as warm browns, forest greens and even pieces depicting mountain ranges, the collection is a direct reflection of nature. (Supplied)

“Bunyamin Aydin, our creative director, came up with the concept and direction. It’s about going back to his roots and Turkic Altai region,” she said.

When asked about her favorite piece, the designer said it was too hard to select just one.

“Some of my favorites are the green leather jacket with all the curves that represents the Altai mountains. My other favorite is the long red coat with sheep’s fur,” she said.

The show featured fashion influencers from the region including Jullz Bek, Basil Alhadi and Osied Al-Shwaihan.

The collection draws inspiration from the Altai people’s harmonious relationship with nature, their ancient traditions, and the mythology that shapes their cultural identity. (Supplied)

Lamia’s Saudi heritage plays a big role in the brand’s presence in the Middle East and the UAE, with special collections featuring Arabic letters and design elements. 

Founded in 2011, Les Benjamins has outlets in the UAE and a strong online presence in the market. 

The brand has collaborated with the likes of Nike, Daniel Arsham, Apple, Puma, and many more. 

The city’s official fashion week, co-founded by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, reinforces Dubai’s status in the international fashion landscape.

Hosting labels such as Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Carolina Herrera, Dubai Fashion Week has welcomed designers from all over the world while also fostering homegrown talent.  


Andria Tayeh named beauty ambassador for Giorgio Armani

Updated 07 February 2025
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Andria Tayeh named beauty ambassador for Giorgio Armani

DUBAI: Giorgio Armani on Thursday announced the appointment of Lebanese Jordanian actress Andria Tayeh as its new Middle East beauty ambassador.

Tayeh, known for her roles in Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub’s “Mond” and Netflix’s hit series “Al Rawabi School for Girls,” expressed her excitement on Instagram and wrote: “I am thrilled and honored to embark on this new journey with Armani beauty.

“This marks a real milestone for me, as the brand embodies values I have always cherished: timeless elegance, dramatic simplicity, and women empowerment,” she added. “Armani beauty reveals one’s charismatic personality in the most subtle and natural way. It’s this pure simplicity that creates an impact, and this is exactly what I hope to bring to the Arab cinema world.”