US Colombian actress Sofia Vergara attends Riyadh Season select XI v. PSG match in Riyadh 

US Colombian actress Sofia Vergara attends Riyadh Season select XI v. PSG match in Riyadh 
The “Modern Family” superstar was spotted Thursday at the King Fahd International Stadium stadium in Riyadh. (Instagram)
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Updated 20 January 2023
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US Colombian actress Sofia Vergara attends Riyadh Season select XI v. PSG match in Riyadh 

US Colombian actress Sofia Vergara attends Riyadh Season select XI v. PSG match in Riyadh 

DUBAI: The highly anticipated Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo football reunion took place on Thursday in Saudi Arabia, and US Colombian actress, Sofia Vergara wasn’t going to miss it. 

The “Modern Family” superstar was spotted Thursday at the King Fahd International Stadium stadium in Riyadh watching the friendly match between Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season select XI of players chosen from Al-Hilal and his new club, Al-Nassr, and Paris Saint-German in the Riyadh Season Cup. 

Vergara took to Instagram to share with her 28 million fans pictures from the stadium. The 50-year-old actress was accompanied by her son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, who she shares with her ex-partner, US Colombian businessman Joe Gonzalez. Her niece Claudia Vergara also tagged along for the family trip. 

After the game, which Paris Saint-German won 5-4, the actress and her family enjoyed their time in the city and visited a local cafe. “What a day,” she captioned her post. 

For the match Vergara wore a basic white t-shirt, ripped blue jeans and a bright yellow coat. She accessorized her look with a matching Chanel bag and black boots.   

As soon as the actress landed in Riyadh, she shared a video on her Stories of her spacious, luxurious suite. “Cant find my bed,” she joked. 

Vergara also met up with Saudi stylist and entrepreneur Aram Kabbani. 

The actress also enjoyed a Middle Eastern dinner at Beirut Khanum in the Boulevard Riyadh. She shared a video on her Stories of dishes like fattoush, batata harra and kabab. “Dinner in Riyadh,” she wrote in another story. 


Saudi Arabia’s Hia Hub lifestyle conference returns for third edition  

Saudi Arabia’s Hia Hub lifestyle conference returns for third edition  
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Saudi Arabia’s Hia Hub lifestyle conference returns for third edition  

Saudi Arabia’s Hia Hub lifestyle conference returns for third edition  

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s fashion and lifestyle conference Hia Hub is set to return for its third edition taking place from Nov. 3-7 in Riyadh’s JAX District.  

His Hub will host discussions, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances. 

Last year’s edition featured a lineup of 13 talks and panels along with three masterclasses led by leaders in fashion and beauty such as image architect Law Roach, celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, supermodel and actress Amber Valetta, fashion designer Zac Posen and entrepreneur and digital influencer Karen Wazen.  

For the third edition, Hia Hub is joining forces with the Saudi Fashion Commission’s annual event Fashion Futures to expand the conference’s program.  

“It’s bigger and bolder this year, bringing together some of the regional and global fashion industry’s most accomplished business leaders, designers, celebrities, and icons, alongside leading fashion houses and brands,” said Mike Fairburn, managing director of SRMGx, the creators and organizers of Hia Hub and the experiential arm of SRMG.  

“It is a truly unique 5-day event – a dynamic programme of seminars, talks, workshops, masterclasses, and live performances – that blends the latest trends and perspectives in fashion, art, design, music and contemporary culture,” he added.  

Meanwhile, Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said: “With the return of Fashion Futures, we are taking another step towards driving the development of Saudi’s fast-emerging fashion industry, unlocking opportunities and supporting our most promising creative talents. We look forward to welcoming some of the best and brightest minds to join us at Hia Hub this November.” 


Imaan Hammam, Loli Bahia grace Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week

Imaan Hammam, Loli Bahia grace Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week
Updated 6 min 55 sec ago
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Imaan Hammam, Loli Bahia grace Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week

Imaan Hammam, Loli Bahia grace Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week

DUBAI: Part-Arab models Imaan Hammam and Loli Bahia this week walked Kim Jones’ runway for Fendi during Milan Fashion Week.  

The show was attended by A-list supermodels and celebrities including Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Demi Moore, Cristina Ricci, Gwendoline Christie and Naomi Watts, who sat front row.  

Jones’ collection for Fendi – unveiled during the first day of Milan Fashion Week – was a twist on knitwear, anchored by leather. 

Hammam donned a baby blue knit jumper, with a grey-purple blazer and grey tailored shorts. (Getty Images)

The first look set the tone: A form-hugging color-block knit dresses in mocha, baby blue, salmon and ivory, with a double sash trailing at the waist lending drama and movement. A tri-colored clutch gave the right accent. 

Hammam donned a baby blue knit jumper, with a grey-purple blazer and grey tailored shorts that were asymmetric from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection. She held a bright yellow clutch and wore hot red gloves.  

Bahia wore a long figure-hugging grey dress, with matching gloves, and black boots.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fendi (@fendi)

The collection overall was dainty: Knitwear was as a rule very fine, accented at times by thin golden chains creating details on open backs. Slinky, clinging monochrome knit dresses had peekaboo cutouts.  

The twinset trop gave way to built-in layers and sleeves that wrapped around the body, a mysterious swirl. Dresses ruched around the body, suggesting constant motion. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fendi (@fendi)

A chunkier ribbed knit gave a chenille-soft appearance in a long jacket and skirt with a healthy front slit. Knit was also fashioned into a chainmail slip dress, with a coppery finish, or neon-orange wrap dress. 

Leather added substance: short color-block jackets paired with a matching knit mini-skirt.  

Contrasting gloves finished many looks. Bags were mostly held as if clutches; a tiny, flat bag dangled from gloved hands. 


Saudi designer Hala Abdullah: ‘I’m 100% driven by where I come from’

Saudi designer Hala Abdullah: ‘I’m 100% driven by where I come from’
Updated 21 September 2023
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Saudi designer Hala Abdullah: ‘I’m 100% driven by where I come from’

Saudi designer Hala Abdullah: ‘I’m 100% driven by where I come from’
  • Hala Abdullah discusses her new line of jewelry, ‘Foug,’ created in honor of National Day 

MARBELLA: In honor of Saudi Arabia’s National Day on Sept. 23, designer and entrepreneur Hala Abdullah has created a new fine jewelry collection, “Foug,” highlighting her country’s cultural heritage. Abdullah, who divides her time between the UAE and Saudi, founded her brand, Ofa, in 2017.  

“I am 100-percent driven by where I come from and the symbolism of Saudi, which I feel wasn’t as present in the world as it is right now,” Abdullah told Arab News. “This is my responsibility: I am from this country and I am representing it with my medium.”  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by OFA (@ofaofficial)

The collection’s green tones reference the Saudi flag, and “foug,” while it has several meanings to Abdullah, symbolizes optimism. The name is partially inspired by an old song by Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu, who, in a grand manner, begins one of his songs with this hopeful Arabic word.  

“He says ‘foug’ for so long. It’s a flashback from my childhood,” Abdullah said. “The meaning of it also resonates with the change happening in Saudi right now and the spirit of everyone there.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by OFA (@ofaofficial)

Studded with green onyx gemstones and diamonds, the designs that comprise “Foug” are simple, elegant, and geometrical. Abdullah was particularly influenced by the traditional, repetitive diamond- and triangle-shaped weaving patterns (‘Al-Sadu’ and ‘Al-Qatt Al-Asiri’ respectively) that have been embroidered in textiles in the northern and southern parts of the Kingdom. The compact collection contains rings, statement necklaces, and earrings, and are named after Saudi’s varying landscapes.  

“We’re not trying to play it safe,” said Abdullah. “We’re trying to make a statement with pieces that anyone can wear, not just Saudis.”  

While Abdullah’s pieces are delicate, it’s clear that she is a young woman with a strong personality. She’s something of her father’s daughter, and spent many years in Jeddah with an interest in architecture. “When I was a teenager, I was actually renovating my family’s house,” she said. “My dad was in real estate and I used to go with the workers and work with the cement. I would give them ideas, which they listened to. I gained confidence early on.”   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by OFA (@ofaofficial)

One of her inspirations is the legendary Chinese folk heroine Hua Mulan (whose story was made famous through the 1998 Disney film), who courageously joined the army in her aged father’s stead by dressing as a male warrior, and ended up saving the emperor’s life.  

“It was never ‘Cinderella’ for me. I watched ‘Mulan’ more than 70 times,” Abdullah said. “Mulan was a powerful girl. Although she was pretty and delicate, she felt a sense of responsibility and duty for her country. She was strong and fearless and I related to that story more.”  

This partly inspired one of the earliest motifs for her brand: the Arabic sword, specifically its middle, cross-like intersecting part.  

Abdullah studied architecture at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. The city proved to be an eye-opening experience compared to her life in Saudi to that point. “Everyone around me was very creative and looked very unique — blue hair, tattoos... it was a bit of a shock for me sometimes. But I was pushed to think outside the box and it was a really inspiring experience,” she said. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by OFA (@ofaofficial)

Ultimately, though, she decided against pursuing architecture as a career. “When you do architecture in the real world, there’s a lot of limitations,” she explained. “I found that jewelry was the same as architecture — the software, the process, the 3D printing — but minus the limitations.”  

She added that she felt something was missing when it came to jewelry design in the region. “It was either the big brands that everyone was wearing or the very traditional, gold souk-type of brands,” she explained. “I didn’t feel like there was a brand that I could relate to. That was what was lacking in the Arab world.” 

“Ofa” stands for the famous saying: ‘One for all, all for one.’ Unlike many homegrown Middle Eastern enterprises, Abdullah refrained from using her own name for her brand, instead adopting a more collective identity.  

“I wanted it be about community,” she said. “I think about it as a legacy and I see myself handing over to my kids one day. I’m really in it for the long run.”  


Saudi Fashion Commission kicks off EMERGE pop-up in Milan

Saudi Fashion Commission kicks off EMERGE pop-up in Milan
Updated 21 September 2023
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Saudi Fashion Commission kicks off EMERGE pop-up in Milan

Saudi Fashion Commission kicks off EMERGE pop-up in Milan

DUBAI: The Saudi Fashion Commission on Thursday kicked off its pop-up event EMERGE in Milan on the sidelines of the city’s fashion week.  

The event highlights emerging and established talents in Saudi fashion. 

Thirteen designers participating in the Saudi 100 Brands program are taking part in the event. (Supplied)

The brands taking part in EMERGE are Agmarat, Ain, Dananeer, DERZA, Ivorifashion, Jayla, Linen by A, Md29, Mona Alshebil, RBA New York, REHAM NASSIER, SAJAS and Samar Nasraldin.

The first edition of the pop-up took place during Paris Fashion Week in June.  

The event highlights emerging and established talents in Saudi fashion. (Supplied)

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, said in a statement: “The first EMERGE pop-up that we held in Paris was a huge success and received visitors from different cultures who had an authentic Saudi shopping experience and discovered what Saudi creative talent has to offer.”  

“I look forward to welcoming visitors to Milan Fashion Week to introduce them to the Saudi fashion world,” he added.  

The Saudi Fashion Commission supports established and emerging design talents from Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Thirteen designers participating in the Saudi 100 Brands program are taking part in the event to showcase a wide assortment of ready-to-wear pieces and accessories, inspired by Saudi culture and heritage.  

The Saudi 100 Brands project is an initiative by the Saudi Fashion Commission that supports established and emerging design talents from Saudi Arabia, who work across the ready-to-wear, modest, concept, premiere, demi-couture, bridal, bags and jewelry categories.  


Gigi Hadid celebrates daughter Khai’s third birthday  

Gigi Hadid celebrates daughter Khai’s third birthday  
Updated 21 September 2023
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Gigi Hadid celebrates daughter Khai’s third birthday  

Gigi Hadid celebrates daughter Khai’s third birthday  

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid this week celebrated her daughter’s third birthday.  

The 28-year-old catwalk star took to Instagram to share a series of images of the mother-and-daughter duo. She also posted pictures from the intimate birthday celebration that featured a Frozen-themed two-tier cake from US Italian Carlo’s Bakery that had “Happy Birthday Khai” written on it.  

“Have been celebrating our THREE YR OLD this week (sic),” she captioned her post. “Just so honored to get to be her mama, to get to see life through her!!!! Happy Birthday to my sweetest, smartest, spunkiest bestie!!!!!!!! DREAM KID / love of my life.”  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

Khai’s father is British Pakistani singer Zayn Malik. 

Khai’s grandmother, model Yolanda Hadid, commented on her daughter’s post and wrote: “Greatest gift of all.”  

Hadid’s celebrity friend Kylie Jenner commented a white heart on her carousel post, while Part-Saudi model Shanina Shaik wrote: “happy birthday KAI!”  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

Khai’s name is a nod to Hadid’s Palestinian grandmother Khairiah. 

Earlier this month, Hadid gave W Magazine insight on what her morning routine with her little girl looks like.  

“We get ready together. She watches me do my thing," Hadid said of Khai. “She’ll brush her teeth with me, and now she’s wanting to put moisturizer on, which is so cute.” 

“She really makes me laugh. We crack up and dance all day and talk a lot. She is a genius, if I do say so myself,” the proud mother added. 

Hadid and Malik called it quits in 2021.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

Earlier this year, the model opened up about co-parenting with her daughter’s father. She told The Times that “keeping the importance of the child's happiness at the forefront” is what is most important to her. 

“You have a long life alongside this person,” Hadid added of her ex-partner, before noting that she tries to schedule work commitments “when Khai is with her dad. That she can be with both parents makes me very happy.” 

Of having her daughter at a young age, Hadid told the newspaper that it was “a blessing.” 

“I’ve always been quite organized, so having Khai at the time that I did was a blessing. I”m so glad to be a young mom… she has already given me so much… I always wanted to be a mom, but I was never obsessive about it or (thought that) I was put on this Earth to be a mom,” she said.