Rita Ora performs as Women in Cinema gala hosts stars in Jeddah

Rita Ora performed at the Women in Cinema gala at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. (Getty Images)
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Updated 06 December 2025
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Rita Ora performs as Women in Cinema gala hosts stars in Jeddah

JEDDAH: British singer Rita Ora performed in front of a star-studded audience at the Women in Cinema gala on Friday night during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah.

Oscar winner Adrien Brody; US actresses Queen Latifah, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba and Uma Thurman; Cuban Spanish star Ana de Armas; British actor Daniel Kaluuya; and British Lebanese star Razane Jammal were all in attendance, among others.




Ana de Armas attended in an all-white look. (Getty Images)

The event is an annual part of the the 10-day festival, where audiences can expect more than 100 films from more than 70 countries, including a diverse lineup of world premieres, regional debuts and international titles, including features, documentaries, animation and shorts.




Dakota Johnson looked ethereal in a lace gown. (Getty Images) 

The Arab Spectacular program will feature regional titles including “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir; Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “Unidentified;” and “A Matter of Life and Death” by Anas Ba-Tahaf, starring Saudi actress Sarah Taibah, who was also on hand at the Women in Cinema event. 




Jessica Alba at the Women in Cinema event. (Getty Images)

Festival CEO Faisal Baltyuor previously told Arab News the film was an example of the growing power of female-led cinema in the Kingdom. The film, he said, “represents the growing strength of Saudi women in cinema and the emergence of romance as a dynamic new genre in the Kingdom,” highlighting the Red Sea Film Foundation’s focus on women in cinema.

The International Spectacular will present global premieres such as “Couture” starring Angelina Jolie, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” “Scarlet,” “Farruquito — A Flamenco Dynasty,” and “Desert Warrior,” which was filmed in Saudi Arabia.




Nina Dobrev attended in a canary yellow gown. (Getty Images)

Beyond screenings, RSIFF is a major industry hub. The festival’s marketplace — the Red Sea Souk — returns from Dec. 6-10 with more than 160 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, industry panels, project-market pitches, masterclasses and networking sessions.


Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

Updated 21 January 2026
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Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

DUBAI: Siblings Razan and Ahmed Hassan presented their Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, continuing the rapid rise of their KML label.

The duo has gained international recognition since launching the brand in 2022, most recently being named semifinalists for the LVMH Prize — a prestigious annual award for emerging designers.

Creative director Ahmed’s minimalist designs and sharp tailoring mean KML — owned by his sister, Razan — has built its identity around reimagining traditional Saudi garments through a contemporary lens. Jackets are paired with shawl-like elements, large leather belts recall those historically worn by Bedouin men, and skirts nod to silhouettes once worn by men in the Eastern Province, Jazan and the Hijaz.

The collection leans on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions. (Getty Images)

The approach is reflected in the new collection, which features a restrained palette of black, white and muted earth tones, leaning on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions.

Flowing skirts, structured wrap tops and robe-like coats dominate the lineup, with some looks referencing classical draping while others lean toward utilitarian dressing, defined by sharp shoulders, cinched waists and clean, architectural lines.

In a previous interview with Arab News, Ahmed said their grandmother was a huge influence on their lives as he and his sister grew up in Riyadh. He fondly recalled both her progressive nature and inimitable style. As a young boy, Ahmed would often accompany her to fabric shops so she could get her designs stitched by a local tailor. The experience left an impression, though fashion was not an obvious initial career path.

Ahmed studied architecture and became an intern at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he developed an appreciation for structure and form. Razan, meanwhile, pursued law at Prince Sultan University and she went on to practice full-time.

“One summer, we both realized we weren’t doing what we truly wanted to do, so I decided to go to the UK to study creative writing, and Ahmed went to Central Saint Martins (in London) for a few courses,” Razan explained.

That was the catalyst for KML. In August 2023, they launched their debut capsule collection and towards the end of that year they applied to the Saudi 100 Brands program. The Fashion Commission recognized their potential, helping KML launch collections at fashion weeks in Paris, Riyadh and Milan.