Misk Foundation and Fashion Commission sign agreement to boost Saudi fashion industry

David Henry, the CEO of nonprofit city; and Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission. The deal will enhance cooperation. (Supplied)
David Henry, the CEO of nonprofit city; and Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission. The deal will enhance cooperation. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 September 2022

Misk Foundation and Fashion Commission sign agreement to boost Saudi fashion industry

Misk Foundation and Fashion Commission sign agreement to boost Saudi fashion industry
  • They said it will enhance cooperation in the education and training of emerging designers, encourage entrepreneurism, and help attract talent and investors

RIYADH: The Misk Foundation’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh and the Saudi Fashion Commission signed an agreement on Monday designed to empower the booming fashion industry in the Kingdom.

The parties said the partnership will enhance cooperation between them to develop education and training programs for young Saudi designers, explore opportunities for the incubation of entrepreneurism, and attract talent and investors to the fashion industry in the country. It also lays the foundation for collaborations to host a variety of fashion-related events and festivals in the city, they added.

The commission has also signed a lease at creative center The City Hub to build a world-class studio for product sampling and prototyping that will be equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, technology and expertise to enable the growth of the fashion-design ecosystem.

FASTFACTS

• The agreement to boost Saudi fashion sector was signed at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in Diriyah.

• Nonprofit City, which will be the first development of its kind in the world, is located in the Irqah neighborhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on a site spanning more than 3.4 square kilometers.

• Developers say it will offer unparalleled retail experiences by providing a platform for local fashion brands to pioneer innovative experiences that are creative, educational, engaging and transformational.

The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in Diriyah by Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, deputy minister of culture and vice-chairman of the fashion commission board; David Henry, the CEO of Nonprofit City; and Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission.

Cakmak stressed the significant role the fashion sector plays in the Kingdom’s cultural scene and stressed the need for cooperation to develop it, saying: “Fashion is a true reflection of Saudi heritage and identity. The signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects the commitment of the Fashion Commission to advance the growth of the Saudi fashion sector and enhance its contribution to the local economy in line with Vision 2030.”

Henry said: “This partnership is an important step toward enhancing the Kingdom’s fashion industry and aligns with the City’s vision to cultivate innovation and creativity in Saudi youth.

“We look forward to working together with the Fashion Commission to create opportunities that inspire the next generation of talent and cement the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in the industry while showcasing Saudi culture.”

Nonprofit City, which will be the first development of its kind in the world, is located in the Irqah neighborhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on a site spanning more than 3.4 square kilometers. Developers say it will offer unparalleled retail experiences by providing a platform for local fashion brands to pioneer innovative experiences that are creative, educational, engaging and transformational.

 

 


Part-Arab models share Ramadan greetings on social media   

Part-Arab models share Ramadan greetings on social media   
Updated 23 March 2023

Part-Arab models share Ramadan greetings on social media   

Part-Arab models share Ramadan greetings on social media   

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian catwalk star Bella Hadid, Moroccan Italian model Malika El-Maslouhi and Dutch Egyptian Moroccan model Imaan Hammam took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish their followers a happy Ramadan.  

Hadid, who also unveiled a new campaign with French luxury label Louis Vuitton on Wednesday, shared colorful artwork that read “Ramadan Mubarak.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)

“I wish the most peaceful month ahead (sic),” she wrote in her caption.  

Her father, Palestinian real estate mogul Mohamed Hadid, replied to her in the comments and wrote: “Love you Bella. The happiest and most peaceful month for you, me, our family and loved ones InshAllah.”  

El-Maslouhi used her platform to ask people to support Moroccan mothers this Ramadan through the Rif Tribes Foundation, a youth-led humanitarian and cultural organization dedicated to the people of the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco.  

“A great idea from a great foundation of Moroccan youngsters that want to help their country. Donations are always welcome, especially this month,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.  

The model starred in two campaigns for Ramadan — with Louis Vuitton and British label Pepe Jeans.  

The Pepe Jeans campaign, which she released pictures of on Thursday, was shot in Marrakech.  “A campaign that captures the beauty of the desert,” the collaborated post read.  

Meanwhile, Hamam shared a series of posts on her Instagram Stories to educate her 1.5 million followers about the Holy Month.   


Nora Attal models for Gigi Hadid’s Guest in Residence 

Nora Attal models for Gigi Hadid’s Guest in Residence 
Updated 22 March 2023

Nora Attal models for Gigi Hadid’s Guest in Residence 

Nora Attal models for Gigi Hadid’s Guest in Residence 

DUBAI: British Moroccan model Nora Attal showed her support for her friend Dutch Palestinian catwalk star Gigi Hadid by modeling for her fashion label Guest in Residence. 

Hadid shared a picture on her brand’s Instagram page of Attal wearing one of her cashmere pieces from the label’s Core collection.

She then reshared the picture to her private account, tagging Attal and adding a white heart.

Instagram/ @guestinresidence 

The pair have appeared on many runways together, including the Versace show in Los Angeles earlier in March. 

Hadid wore two outfits. The first was a floor-length gown with a semi-sheer corset bodice and a voluminous satin bottom, while her second look featured a structured black blazer, a knee-high skirt with black leather gloves, shoes and a bag. 

Attal wore a sheer turtle-neck top with a puffy miniskirt and black stockings. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nora Attal (@noraattal)

Hadid launched her clothing label, which features soft, colorful knitwear, in September. 

“Over the last handful of years, I didn’t want to be backed into starting my own line just because there was an offer on the table or a deal to be made,” she wrote to her followers on Instagram at the time.

As a result, the 27-year-old rejected many opportunities until she found a path that “felt genuine.”

“The earliest days of Guest in Residence came about when I started to question the cashmere market, and those answers gave me a path,” she wrote.

“I believe that because of its sustainable qualities — natural and made to cherish and to pass down — cashmere is a luxury that should be more accessible.”

The model hopes her brand will encourage investment in quality pieces at reasonable prices, “and a wardrobe that can grow and change with your style, that can endure life with you, and that can become heirlooms.”


French label Messika stars 3 Arab talents in Ramadan campaign

French label Messika stars 3 Arab talents in Ramadan campaign
Updated 22 March 2023

French label Messika stars 3 Arab talents in Ramadan campaign

French label Messika stars 3 Arab talents in Ramadan campaign

DUBAI: French jewelry brand Messika unveiled their new Ramadan campaign, starring three Arab talents paying tribute to the women of the region.

The three stars are Laila Abdallah, a Lebanese actress based in Kuwait, Yara Alhogbani, the first and only Saudi tennis player competing on an international level, and Mariam Al-Remeithi, the first and youngest Emirati theater costume designer and abaya designer who recently took her work to Paris.

“A large part of Ramadan is about introspection and committing oneself to growth and lasting change,” said 18-year-old Alhogbani in a statement. “I make sure to take the time to distance myself from distractions so that I’m able to see where I can personally improve to better the journey that I’m currently on.”

Al-Remaithi, the acclaimed fashion designer who began pursuing her passion for clothing design from childhood, said: “Ramadan has always been a source of inspiration for me. By tuning into my spiritual self, I am able to to recalibrate my creative vision and goals.

“There is a sense of serenity and demure elegance that is unique to Ramadan, which I tend to channel into my designs,” she added.

Abdallah said: “Ramadan is a time to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. It is a special month that brings peace to my soul, allowing me the opportunity to self-reflect and create invaluable memories with loved ones.”

In the campaign images, the three talents wore Ramadan-inspired jewelry, including multi-layered necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as they posed for pictures together. 


US model Olivia Culpo shines in Zuhair Murad gown

US model Olivia Culpo shines in Zuhair Murad gown
Updated 23 March 2023

US model Olivia Culpo shines in Zuhair Murad gown

US model Olivia Culpo shines in Zuhair Murad gown

DUBAI: US model Olivia Culpo this week turned heads at the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s 11th Annual Blossom Ball wearing a black gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.

The former Miss Universe wore a pleated organza ballgown with lace trim from the couturier’s ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 collection.

Culpo took to Instagram to share a video from her speech at the New York City event.

In her caption, the model explained what endometriosis was. She said: “It’s a disease where tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus is present outside of the uterus. It causes chronic inflammation and scarring leading to pain and/or infertility.

“It’s a complex disease and affects so many women around the world,” she added.

Culpo revealed in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis in a series of posts that were shared to her Instagram Story.

She has since partnered with the Endometriosis Foundation of America to raise awareness about the condition.


Malika El-Maslouhi stars in Louis Vuitton campaign for Ramadan

Malika El-Maslouhi stars in Louis Vuitton campaign for Ramadan
Updated 22 March 2023

Malika El-Maslouhi stars in Louis Vuitton campaign for Ramadan

Malika El-Maslouhi stars in Louis Vuitton campaign for Ramadan

DUBAI: Moroccan Italian model Malika El-Maslouhi on Tuesday unveiled her latest campaign with French luxury label Louis Vuitton dedicated for Ramadan.

Sharing pictures from her shoot on Instagram, the 24-year-old said: “Grateful for this one. Wishing everyone a peaceful and enlightened Ramadan.”

In the series of images she posted, El-Maslouhi wore an off-white pleated lace skirt with a white blouse, black boots, and a champagne bag.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by MALIKA (@malika.elmaslouhi)

In another picture, she wore a blue coat-like dress with gold buttons and had a maroon scarf wrapped around her head. For her third look, she donned a silk monogram shirt dress.

The model, who was born in Milan to an Italian mother and a Moroccan father, is one of the industry’s most in-demand stars.

El-Maslouhi made her modeling debut when she was 18 and went on to captivate the industry.

In addition to gracing the runways of storied fashion houses that most models can only dream of — such as Dior, Chanel, Valentino, and Jacquemus — she has also appeared in international campaigns for the likes of Off-White, Calvin Klein, and Lanvin.