Saudi models show off high-street fashion in Milan

Abdallah and Al-Akeel, who were joined by Dubai-based Iraqi fashion influencer Deema Al-Asadi, attended the Max Mara show. (Instagram)
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Updated 22 September 2023
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Saudi models show off high-street fashion in Milan

  • Hala Abdallah and Lama Al-Akeel joined by Iraqi fashion influencer Deema Al-Asadi at events in Italy

DUBAI: Saudi fashionistas Hala Abdallah and Lama Al-Akeel jetted to Milan this week to attend the city’s much-awaited fashion week.

Abdallah and Al-Akeel, who were joined by Dubai-based Iraqi fashion influencer Deema Al-Asadi, attended the Max Mara show.

Abdallah wore a burnt orange, flowy dress with cut outs around the chest and added a large leather belt around her waist.

Al-Akeel stepped out in a beige Max Mara suit with a maroon undershirt. Al-Asadi also opted for a full look by the Italian brand, wearing a printed green skirt and blazer set.

The three regional style stars met with Lebanese bloggers and entrepreneurs Karen Wazen and Nathalie Fanj at the show.

The renowned brand tapped part-Arab models Nora Attal and Imaan Hammam to walk the runway.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Max Mara (@maxmara)

Hammam turned heads in a camel-colored velvet set that featured hot shorts and short-sleeved blazer.

Attal walked the runway in a pinkish-purple jumper with a matching shirt layered underneath and pink hot shorts.

Hammam and Attal were joined by Danish model Mona Tougaard — who is of Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian descent. She wore a pink coat dress that was also paired with a pink shirt.

Abdallah and Al-Asadi then hopped on to the Moschino show. Abdallah donned a sequined mini dress that read “In love we trust,” while Al-Asadi wore a white t-shirt dress with a gold sequined blazer, black boots and a red clutch.

British-Moroccan model Nora Attal walked the Moschino show. She graced the runway in off-white tailored pants, a white t-shirt, a black blazer, a white heart-shaped clutch, and had her hair wrapped in a turban. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HALA (@thehala)

For the Moschino show, fashion designer Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele created a high-low, mix-match collection that can go anywhere and suit any woman. Gabriella Karefa-Johnson tapped a rap vein with high-energy hip looks featuring ruffled, tiered skirts, denim and granny squares that were size-inclusive.

“What a show,” wrote Al-Asadi on Instagram after the event.




Abdallah attened the Prada show in Milan. (Getty Images)

Abdallah could not miss Italian luxury brand Prada’s show. On Instagram she wrote that she enjoyed the “cape and shoulder pads,” the fringe details, the “angelic flow fabrics” and the unique sleeve designs. 


Mohamed Abdo rings in New Year with landmark Saudi celebration in London

Updated 02 January 2026
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Mohamed Abdo rings in New Year with landmark Saudi celebration in London

  • Abdo performs 16 of his most beloved songs over 4 hours
  • He lauds ‘genius choice’ of first Saudi-led New Year show

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s music icon Mohamed Abdo welcomed the New Year with a historic sold-out concert in London, marking what organizers described as the first Kingdom-led celebration in the UK capital.

Organized by Global Gala, the event drew more than 1,400 people, with Saudis traveling from the Kingdom and across Europe to attend.

There were also local fans, underscoring the wide appeal of the evening and the growing international presence of Saudi Arabia’s cultural events.

The concert was held at the Great Room at Grosvenor House, a venue of particular significance for Abdo because it was the same location where he first performed in London.

Tickets sold out rapidly following the show’s announcement. The organizers said the strong response reflected both Abdo’s enduring popularity and the anticipation surrounding a Saudi-led New Year’s event abroad.

When asked about the timing of the concert, Abdo praised the organizers’

decision to stage the event on New Year’s Eve, describing it as a “genius choice” that aligned naturally with the spirit of welcoming a new year.

Over the course of four hours, Abdo performed 16 songs, spanning decades of his career.

The audience responded warmly throughout the night, particularly during well-known tracks including “Al Amaken,” “Ashofak Kil Youm,” and “Majmouat Insan.”

The audience included prominent figures from the worlds of entertainment, media and public life.