New ‘AlUla Flora’ book showcases region’s diverse plant life

The book highlights over 80 plant species that flourish in AlUla’s diverse landscapes. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 26 June 2024
Follow

New ‘AlUla Flora’ book showcases region’s diverse plant life

  • Text by academic Abdulaziz Assaeed, photos by Hayat Osamah
  • Bedouin crafts and ancient culinary uses of plants highlighted

DUBAI: Luxury publishing house Assouline has released a new book titled “AlUla Flora” which celebrates the diverse plant life in this ancient oasis city.

The latest addition to Assouline’s “Classics Collection” features text by Abdulaziz Assaeed, a professor of rangeland ecology at King Saud University, and images by young Saudi Arabia photographer Hayat Osamah.

The publication includes artwork from Carolyn Jenkins, Lil Sire, Raxenne, Moira Frith and Mary Woodin.

The book highlights over 80 plant species that flourish in AlUla’s diverse landscapes, which include rocky sandstone outcrops, vast desert plains, and a verdant oasis teeming with natural springs.

The plants featured include the Hispid Viper’s Bugloss with its bright funnel-shaped flowers, the striking Spiny Milkvetch with pinkish-purple blooms, and the culturally significant jujube tree.

Each species is presented for its ecological value and role in local traditions, including Bedouin crafts and ancient culinary uses.

The book offers a visual exploration of the little-known flora of AlUla and highlights significant conservation efforts to restore and rewild the city’s ecosystems.

Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said in a statement that “AlUla Flora” is a look at the “city’s fascinating botanical world, which we have been carefully and intentionally nurturing to rebuild and reinforce the ecological richness and vibrancy of the region.”

“The book acts as a visual narrative of our broader aspirations to protect and showcase the verdant life in AlUla, inviting visitors and locals to discover more about the environment that we live in and create an all-important connection with nature,” he added.


 


Amina Muaddi spotlights Rihanna’s love for her designs

Updated 27 December 2025
Follow

Amina Muaddi spotlights Rihanna’s love for her designs

DUBAI: Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi this week shared a selection of her favorite looks worn by Rihanna throughout December, highlighting several recent public appearances.

Earlier this week, Muaddi posted an image of the Fenty Beauty founder in Los Angeles, where she was spotted grocery shopping wearing snake-printed pointed-toe heels from the designer’s collection.

Rihanna styled the shoes with a bright-red leather jacket layered over a white top, pairing the oversized, structured piece with loose black wide-leg trousers worn low on the waist.

She later wore a similar snake-print design, this time in boot form, for a dinner outing. For that look, Rihanna opted for a plaid zip-up jacket by Miu Miu, styled with a long Balenciaga skirt.

Another outfit shared by Muaddi was from Rihanna’s appearance at the 35th Gotham Film Awards in New York City. The singer stepped out in a flowing lavender satin gown worn off the shoulders, featuring a relaxed, draped silhouette. She completed the ensemble with open-toe stiletto sandals from Muaddi’s designs in a matching pale lilac shade.

Muaddi also highlighted a more casual winter outing, where Rihanna wore pointed-toe snake-embossed stiletto pumps styled with a brown-and-cream faux-fur coat draped over a black top, paired with slim trousers, tinted rectangular sunglasses and minimal jewelry.

No one has an affinity for Muaddi’s shoes quite like Rihanna.

The singer-turned-designer has an unparalleled collection of heels by the designer, which have become her go-to choice of footwear whether she is attending red-carpet events, fundraising galas, taking an off-duty stroll or stepping out to dinner with her partner A$AP Rocky.

The artists have both collaborated with the designer in the past.

In 2020, the Paris-based designer teamed up with the rapper’s creative agency AWGE on a four-piece collection of flared pumps and lace-up heels.

The collection marked A$AP Rocky’s first foray into women’s footwear and was Muaddi’s first collaboration for her own brand, though she also released a limited-edition footwear capsule collection with Rihanna’s Fenty label that same year.

The collaboration was honored as Collaborator of the Year at the 34th FN Achievement Awards.

Following the sell-out success of the first collection, Rihanna enlisted Muaddi to design yet another collection for Fenty.