Saudi label Rebirth brings boho style to regional fashion scene 

Riyadh-born Tala Abukhaled is the founder, designer, and creative director of the luxury bohemian ready-to-wear label Rebirth. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 August 2024
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Saudi label Rebirth brings boho style to regional fashion scene 

  • ‘We want to tell stories through our pieces,’ says founder Tala Abukhaled 

RIYADH: Riyadh-born Tala Abukhaled is the founder, designer, and creative director of the luxury bohemian ready-to-wear label Rebirth. Established in 2021, the sustainable slow-fashion brand for men and women that is intended to celebrate and revive Saudi artistic heritage in unique, modern, statement pieces, reflecting the Kingdom’s current cultural transformation.  

Rebirth, Abukhaled tells Arab News, is related to “anything that has to do with being free, being connected to Earth, or being inspired by nature. It all comes back to that bohemian feel, using natural materials in the designs.  

“For me, what you wear reflects who you are,” she continues. “You can be whoever you want. It can give you confidence, even change the way you act, so it’s really important.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rebirth (@rebirth.sa)

Fashion has been a long-time passion for Abukhaled. “Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to do something in the creative field and the arts, but I didn’t decide what until I started applying for university. Growing up, I really did care about what I was wearing and styling my wardrobe, so that led me to (study for a) degree in fashion design and patternmaking (from French fashion institute ESMOD).”  

The bohemian — or “boho” — style that Abukhaled favors has long been associated with avant-garde non-conformists and has had a major impact on artistic styles over centuries. It generally promotes a free-spirited approach to creativity, borrowing from other art forms but not sticking to any rigid design doctrines. Natural color palettes, ethnic prints, and comfort are significant features of bohemian fashion. 

Social media has made boho styles even more popular, but the Kingdom has not previously produced a brand that identifies so obviously with the style. After some experimentation with her brand’s creative direction, it was this gap in the market that Abukhaled identified.  

“If I want to shop ‘luxury bohemian,’ it’s very hard to find and it’s not readily available everywhere,” she explains. “I really built on that idea.”  

However, it wasn’t just a market-research-driven decision, Abukhaled points out. “I’m kind of a reflection of my brand and its spirit,” she says. “A lot of people (assume) I’m from Jeddah, because it’s more beach-y and free-spirited, when actually I’m not.”  

Her latest collection takes inspiration from Saudi palm trees. It features beach resort-inspired garments including fishnet hoodies that nod to the historic coastal fishing trade to statement neck pieces that repurpose dried palm fronds. Boho is on full display in the collection’s eclectic mix of traditional materials — including flax seed, raffia, and palm wood beads — with modern designs.  

“I also made other collections like my line that incorporates bisht embroidery into the designs in a way that hasn’t been showcased before,” Abukhaled adds. “(And I’ve used) the shemagh in new colors and ways.”  

Her Bisht collection featured the titular embroidered embellishments on a bomber jacket, palazzo pants, and an asymmetrical choker top, as well as a redesign of the traditional shalki fabric into a corset top, which she called “A Modern Heirloom.”  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rebirth (@rebirth.sa)

“I hope that Rebirth preserves some art and culture,” she says. “We also want to tell stories through our pieces. Each one has a story to tell.” 

And those stories are not solely focused on the Kingdom. In October, Rebirth produced a line in honor of Palestine. An Instagram post for one of the pieces was accompanied by text that read: “Each stitch representing a thread of hope, the Palestinian embroidery will forever be engraved on our skin, and we’ve represented this sentiment by creating a piece from delicate white tulle finely stitched using the Palestinian embroidery method. The cuffs, which securely embrace your wrists, symbolize unity by lacing the rope through each loop of transparent fabric, signifying the diverse community we have become.”  

Abukhaled places great emphasis on sustainability for her brand. None of her pieces are mass-produced, instead she champions the circular production model, meaning each piece of fabric is used to its fullest extent.  

“Honestly it’s crazy how many leftover fabrics, dead stock, and even stitched garments go to waste each year,” she says. “I started noticing it even more when I started producing ethically. Going to malls or entering a store and seeing racks and racks of the same product just became so overwhelming.” she said.  

According to the US National Library of Medicine, the global fashion industry produces 92 million tons of waste annually. And that figure is expected to rise to 134 million by the end of 2030.  

“So, I felt like I needed to stress that,” says Abukhaled. “I love that sustainability is such a growing aspect globally now — and in KSA as well. It’s the fastest growing segment of fashion.”  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rebirth (@rebirth.sa)

However, the designer notes that sourcing sustainable materials means spending more money; a fact that has forced her to search out fabrics in Turkiye, India, and other countries. 

“Looking back to when I started, I got slapped left and right by the mistakes (I made),” she says. “But that’s the only way to learn when starting a business.  

“Don’t be afraid to ask for support from the government,” she adds, citing the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, (Monsha’at) and other programs including the Fashion Commission’s Saudi 100 Brands initiative as helpful resources.  

“They’re offering us so much support. You just need to know where to go. They’re there and ready to help you,” she said. 

That support is already helping Abukhaled to establish Rebirth on the global scene. She recently signed an agreement with New York concept store DOORS NYC, which will take the brand’s name to one of the world’s great fashion capitals.  

Abukhaled also promises that she’ll be announcing an “exciting project” soon, and suggests that boho enthusiasts “stay on the lookout.” 


Saudi comedy film ‘Ambulance’ to get sequel

Updated 19 April 2025
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Saudi comedy film ‘Ambulance’ to get sequel

DUBAI: A sequel is already in the works for “Esaaf” (“Ambulance”), the new comedy starring Saudi actor and stand-up comedian Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj and directed by British filmmaker Colin Teague.

The film premiered on Tuesday, making history as the first Arabic-language movie to be released by Imax. 

The plot revolves around two Saudi paramedics who discover a briefcase containing holding SR2 million (around $533,300) and find themselves caught up in a dangerous kidnapping scheme.

The movie is written by Alberto Lopez and produced by Al-Hajjaj’s House of Comedy, Saudi producer Talal Anazi’s Black Light Operations and former MBC Studios chief Peter Smith in tandem with Saudi Media Company. 

The film marks Al-Hajjaj’s first major release since “Sattar,” the 2023 wrestling film which grossed over $30 million, primarily from Saudi audiences.


Princess Rajwa, Prince Hussein visit historic site in Jordan

Updated 19 April 2025
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Princess Rajwa, Prince Hussein visit historic site in Jordan

DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan opted for a relaxed look this week when she visited the archaeological site of Umm Qais with her husband, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.

Rajwa, who is of Saudi origin, wore beige Atelier canvas straight-leg cargo pants by Jacquemus, paired with a black fitted top and matching Prada re-edition 2005 nylon bag. She completed her look with Gentle Monster’s Musee 01 sunglasses.

The crown prince also kept it casual in a plain white T-shirt, olive green cargo shorts and sunglasses.

Bin Abdullah took to Instagram to share a heartwarming photo with his wife taken during their visit.

“There is nothing like spring in the north of Jordan,” read the caption.

The couple also made headlines this week as their eight-month-old daughter, Princess Iman bint Al-Hussein, marked a significant milestone when she accompanied them to the Kingdom of Bahrain on her first official overseas visit.

The young princess was received by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa at Al-Sakhir Palace. (Instagram)

The young princess was received by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa at Al-Sakhir Palace.

Princess Rajwa opted for a white-and-blue ensemble from London-based fashion label Erdem for the occasion. This included a floral midi pencil skirt and a draped short-sleeved top. She completed the look with white lace slingback pumps from Manolo Blahnik and a Jacquemus shoulder bag.

Last month, Crown Prince Hussein took to Instagram to mark Mother’s Day with a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Queen Rania, and Princess Rajwa.

In the first of two images, Queen Rania is holding her granddaughter, Princess Iman, as the crown prince watches on.

In the second image, Princess Rajwa, dressed in a plain white t-shirt, is seen holding her daughter.

“To my beloved mother and my loving wife, your presence fills our lives with joy, and your love is the true meaning of giving. Happy Mother’s Day,” he wrote.

The royal couple welcomed Iman in August last year.

They are also active in their humanitarian efforts. During Ramadan, they visited the Children’s Museum Jordan to attend an iftar event with orphans.

They spent time with the children, playing games, sharing a meal and engaging in conversation. The couple also posed for photos with the young attendees.


At Art Dubai, Pakistani artists find the space missing at home

Updated 19 April 2025
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At Art Dubai, Pakistani artists find the space missing at home

  • The Middle East’s leading art fair draws galleries and collectors from around the world
  • Pakistani artists say global interest is rising in their work, bringing international recognition

KARACHI: Pakistani artists have been receiving increasing international recognition, but many still grapple with limited opportunities and visibility at home, a participant at a major Gulf art fair said this week.
Her comments coincided with Art Dubai 2025, the Middle East’s leading contemporary art fair, where 10 Pakistani artists are exhibiting their work this year.
The event, running since 2007, draws galleries and collectors from across the globe and has become a vital platform for people with creative abilities in places like Pakistan.
“It’s wonderful that we as artists who have been invisible because of the greater struggles of [our] country are visible through this platform in the Gulf,” said Faiza Butt, a London-based Pakistani artist currently attending the fair, told Arab News over the phone.

Artist Faiza Butt poses against the backdrop of her artwork ‘The Male Figure’ during the Art Dubai 2025 preview at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on April 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Grosvenor Gallery)

“It’s really a matter of pride that despite all the odds, Pakistani artists continue to appear, and work and make themselves visible, especially female artists.”
Butt maintained Pakistani artists are shaped by the country’s complex realities, adding that is what gives their work its depth.
“Our social and political struggles really feed the artists’ imagination,” she said. “Art doesn’t come from a happy place. So one of the reasons our artists are so strong is because our country has gone through a great deal of strife.”
She also credited the country’s mature art education institutions, such as the National College of Arts in Lahore and the Indus Valley School of Arts in Karachi, for nurturing generations of artists despite systemic challenges.

Artwork ‘The Male Figure’ by Pakistani artists Anwar Saeed and Faiza Butt on display by Grosvenor Gallery during the Art Dubai 2025 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Grosvenor Gallery)

Karachi-based visual artist Sana Arjumand, who is also exhibiting at the fair, echoed similar views.
“There is now more and more interest coming into Pakistani art because we are really making very good art,” she said.
“Because of so many different experiences here [in Pakistan], we have that informed kind of making of art. It’s more vibrant and alive. It stands out as well — that is why more and more interest is coming here.”
Arjumand, who studied painting at NCA, said her early work focused on self-reflection but has since evolved to include themes of Sufism, mysticism and human interconnectedness with nature.
Her new work, presented at the fair, explores the idea that human behavior mirrors elements in the natural world.
“It’s for everyone,” she said. “It has a storyline that anybody can relate to.”
A total of ten Pakistani artists, including one posthumously, are featured in the fair’s Contemporary Art section. Among them is the late Sadequain, whose pioneering calligraphy and figurative works helped define Pakistan’s post-Partition art movement and continue to influence generations of artists.

Sana Arjumand’s painting ‘The Perfect Mirror’ on display by Aicon Gallery at Booth E5 as they set up for the Art Dubai 2025 preview at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on April 16, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Sana Arjumand Studio)

Also exhibiting are Rasheed Araeen, a Karachi-born conceptualist known internationally for his contributions to British minimalist and postcolonial art, and Imran Qureshi, whose fusion of classical Mughal miniature techniques with contemporary themes has earned him acclaim worldwide.
Other featured names include Anwar Saeed, celebrated for his explorations of identity and sexuality, and Shezad Dawood, a London-based multidisciplinary artist with Pakistani and Indian heritage.
Butt is being represented by Grosvenor Gallery in London, which is exhibiting her work alongside that of Anwar Saeed under a shared curatorial concept focused on representations of the male form.
“The female figure is represented enough in the arts,” said Butt. “Anwar and I both discuss the male form but with our own unique politics based on our unique ethnography. But we are both Pakistanis, and there are overlaps in our concerns.”
She will also deliver a talk on behalf of Saeed, reflecting on his practice and political engagement through art.
Despite global attention, Butt stressed that Pakistan lacks the institutional and financial infrastructure to support a thriving art scene.
“Art is a very priced project, and Pakistan cannot afford having art fairs or a very established art market,” she said. “Pakistani artists get absorbed by galleries from other countries.”
She described Art Dubai as a great opportunity for artists in her country.
“Dubai is a very stable financial hub of the Gulf region,” she continued. “It has welcomed a great deal of migration from India and Pakistan. You get a diverse audience. It’s a beautiful coming together, in a positive way, of ideas, culture and exchange of thought.”


Art Dubai’s 18th edition marks UAE’s rise as key market for contemporary art 

Updated 19 April 2025
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Art Dubai’s 18th edition marks UAE’s rise as key market for contemporary art 

  • Latest edition of the region’s leading contemporary art fair presented high-quality works from around the world, cementing the Gulf metropolis as a key market player 

DUBAI: The Madinat Jumeirah is alive once again with the invigorating buzz of collectors, artists, gallerists and art lovers all gathered for the 18th edition of Art Dubai, which runs until April 20. There is the familiar sound of a multitude of languages and accents, reflecting Dubai’s ever-growing international population as gallerists from around the world, including North America, China, South and Central Asia, Africa and from across the Middle East, showcase works that reflect the artistic breadth and culture of their respective countries.

Of note are the 30 new exhibitors at Art Dubai, hailing from around the world, forming part of the 120 galleries taking part this year. The quality of works on display, underlined artistic director Pablo del Val, are particularly noteworthy this year and, he says, evoke a sense of escapism and surrealism as if to provide refuge from the uncertainty of today’s times.

The quality of works and international range of galleries also reflect the changing nature of Dubai.

Mohasses, Untitled, 50 x 70 cm. (Supplied)

Rather than take up residence in Dubai for a short-term period of a few years, new residents are coming to the city with plans, it seems, to stay for longer. At the same time, there has been notable investment in cultural infrastructure within the UAE that is now paying off, resulting in a plethora of new museums, galleries, institutions and initiatives offering visitors to Art Dubai a wealth of cultural activities outside the fair.

“Today there is a change in the architecture (of Dubai), with residents desiring more state-of-the-art homes with more space,” del Val told Arab News. “When these people move to Dubai they are doing so with a long-term version. This gives a sense of stability to the city and necessitates a different kind of art collecting.”

Among the newcomers to the fair was Richard Saltoun Gallery, which has branches in Rome, London and New York.

Mohasses, Untitled, 70 x 100 cm. (Supplied)

“This will be our first participation at Art Dubai and we are thrilled to be participating. Dubai, and the UAE in general, is one of the most interesting and growing markets that we work with,” Niamh Coglan, sales director at Richard Saltoun Gallery, told Arab News. “The institutional collections, foundations and private collections are curious, active and engaging to work with. Having worked with several major museums and foundations over the past few years in the region, we knew we had to take a more active role and be more present.”

Among the artists the gallery will show at the fair is Mozambican modernist Bertina Lopes, whose work is on display in the exhibition Kings and Queens of Africa at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Among the notable works at the fair was a large 196 x 363 cm painting by the late Iranian artist Bahman Mohassess and New York-based Leila Heller Gallery’s booth portraying two abstract figures locked in a passionate embrace, one colored red and the other off-white next to a group of stones and an abstract black bird flying overhead. The work, which has garnered great interest among collectors, is being sold for $2,650,000.

Mohasses, Untitled.25 x 35 cm. (Supplied)

In the Bawwaba section of specially commissioned works for the fair, Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman is showcasing a solo project in the form of a large installation work of signs, symbols and photography from around Riyadh as part of his series Manifesto: the Language & the City (2011). The work is being displayed through Iris Art Projects, the only GCC gallery exhibiting in the section.

Showcasing works from the African continent and diaspora is Efie Gallery, a Dubai-based gallery that recently moved to Alserkal Avenue. The gallery’s booth presented a mixed media presentation that is thoughtfully and serenely curated featuring works by Abdoulaye Konate, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Hugh Findletar and J.K. Bruce Vanderpuije.

“We love being in the Middle East and Dubai because it has offered us a clean slate as opposed to the West, where we need to deconstruct narratives,” said co-founder of the gallery Kwame Mintah. “Here we are offered the space to construct the narratives.”


11th Saudi Film Festival opens with a night of cinema, culture, stars

Updated 18 April 2025
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11th Saudi Film Festival opens with a night of cinema, culture, stars

DHAHRAN: The red carpet was rolled out for the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival on Thursday, as the event confirmed its role as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s burgeoning movie culture.

Hosted by the dynamic duo — Saudi actors Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer — the celebration at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran was brimming with glamor and drama.

Saudi opera singer Mohammed Khayran Al-Zahrani and renowned French soprano Fabienne Conrad serenaded the crowd, while a live orchestra performed a medley of classical renditions of popular film scores under the direction of maestro Gevorg Sargsyan.

The 11th Saudi Film Festival was hosted by Saudi actress Aixa Kay and actor Khaled Saqer. (Supplied)

The event was organized by the Cinema Association in strategic partnership with Ithra — an Aramco initiative — and was supported by the Saudi Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture.

This year’s festival, with the theme “Cinema of Identity,” delves into the power of storytelling to reflect and shape cultural, personal and collective narratives.

At the opening, Cinema Association chairwoman Hana Al-Omair emphasized the theme’s significance.

“We present this year’s edition at a time when Saudi film production is undergoing noticeable growth. Saudi films are no longer rare appearances; they are now competing for prime slots in Arab cinemas. This reflects an artistic momentum worth pausing and reflecting upon,” she said.

She also highlighted the festival’s special focus.

Saudi opera singer Mohammed Khayran Al-Zahrani and renowned French soprano Fabienne Conrad. (Supplied)

“In addition to the usual festival activities, we are shining a spotlight on the Japanese cinema experience, which has had a profound impact on world cinema, thanks to its artistic schools, rich experience and global history,” she said.

Opening night saw visitors treated to the premiere of “Siwar” by Osama Al-Khuraiji.

The program, which runs until April 23, is packed with events including a steady stream of stars, film screenings, seminars, workshops, masterclasses and the coveted Golden Palm awards.

Since its founding in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has become the Kingdom’s longest-running cinematic event.

This year, 36 out of 68 screenings are Saudi and Gulf films, comprising eight narrative features, 21 shorts and seven documentaries. Parts of the proceedings, and some other festival events, are being live-streamed.

For more information about buying tickets, visit the Ithra website.