What We Are Buying Today: Arte, where one-line art meets espadrilles
Updated 24 February 2023
Nada Hameed
Arte is a Saudi fashion brand that offers custom-made espadrilles inspired by one-line art — a style that seeks to produce a meaningful drawing with a single line.
In 2020, the brand began designing women’s espadrilles, using modern technology and environmentally friendly materials to produce a range of products.
Espadrilles are most popular in Spain, and are worn at work for a casual or sporty look, or while running errands during the day.
Arte produced more than 1,000 shoes in a range of styles within two years of launching the product.
The brand’s espadrilles are comfortable, with a nonslip rubber, breathable and soft insole, and are made with environmentally friendly materials, such as esparto rope, as well as natural and soft linen.
Arte now offers nearly 20 products and collections of shoes, pouches, laptop bags, headscarves, nail art, stickers and accessories, all featuring one-line art illustrations.
It has taken its art and design to another level by offering linen abayas decorated with line art embroidery. These are made on request, and are available in colors including beige, white, blue, and black and white.
A custom-made abaya takes one to two weeks to complete and prices range from SR500 ($130) to SR700. For more information visit Instagram @arte.artistic.
Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein shows off surprise Dolce & Gabbana gown at wedding reception
Updated 02 June 2023
Arab News
DUBAI: Jordan’s new Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein, who is from Saudi Arabia, stepped out in a surprise second look at the state reception after she wed Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II on Thursday.
The bride greeted international royals and dignitaries in a white cap-sleeve ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and swirling embellishments by Italian luxury label Dolce & Gabbana — however, she retained the delicate diamond tiara, designed by Yan Sicard from Fred Jewelry, and matching earrings from earlier in the day.
The Jordanian royal family greeted guests at the state reception. (Royal Hashemite Court)
Meanwhile, Queen Rania, who opted for a chic Dior look at the wedding ceremony, stepped into a cream-and-gold gown by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab for the reception dinner.
Guests included dignitaries and royals from around the world, including the UK’s Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate Middleton; US First Lady Jill Biden; Qatar’s Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; the king and queen of Malaysia; the king and queen of The Netherlands; King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain; Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg; Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark; Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland; Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway and Hisako, Princess Takamado and her daughter, Princess Tsuguko of Takamado of Japan, among others.
Princess of Wales Kate Middleton (far right) attended the state reception. (Royal Hashemite Court)
The Princess of Wales showed off a gown by British designer Jenny Packham.
US First Lady Jill Biden wore a lilac dress, featuring heavy floral embroidery, accompanied by a light pink shawl.
UK's Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were also in attendance. While it marked the second time that Princess Beatrice, 34, wore a tiara in public, it also marked a first for her: the first time she sported the York tiara. The special headpiece was bought by Queen Elizabeth for her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and worn by Fergie at her 1986 wedding to Prince Andrew.
While it marked the second time that Princess Beatrice, 34, wore a tiara in public, it also marked a first for her: the first time she sported the York tiara. (Royal Hasemite Court)
Earlier in the day, Al-Hussein unveiled her wedding gown as she married Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II in Amman.
The bride, formerly Rajwa Al-Saif, wore a classic white gown by celebrity-loved Lebanese couturier Elie Saab for the nuptials and following public reception. The full-sleeved gown featured a dramatic veil that trailed for several meters behind her, while the neckline stood out for its chic draping.
She accessorized the look with a glittering tiara and matching diamond earrings, along with white strappy shoes, as she held a bouquet with white flowers.
Princess Rajwa stuns in Elie Saab as Queen Rania wears Dior at Jordan’s Royal wedding
Full-sleeved gown featured a dramatic veil that trailed for several meters behind the bride, while the neckline stood out for its chic draping
Updated 02 June 2023
Arab News
DUBAI: After weeks of speculation, the new Crown Princess of Jordan Rajwa Al-Hussein unveiled her wedding gown as she married Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II in Amman on Thursday.
The bride, formerly Rajwa Al-Saif, wore a classic white gown by celebrity-loved Lebanese couturier Elie Saab. The full-sleeved gown featured a dramatic veil that trailed for several meters behind her, while the neckline stood out for its chic draping.
Rajwa Al-Saif wore a classic white gown from celebrity-loved Lebanese couturier Elie Saab. (Reuters)
She accessorized the look with a glittering tiara and matching diamond earrings, along with white strappy shoes, as she held a bouquet with white flowers.
For his part, the crown prince donned a suit that drew inspiration from the design worn by King Abdullah II on his wedding day in 1993. The suit’s sleeves paid homage to the style favored by both King Abdullah II and King Abdullah I.
The reveal follows weeks, if not months, of speculation about what label the royal family would pick for the Saudi national to walk down the aisle in. Luxury labels Dior and Bruce Oldfield were floated by celebrity stylists and fashion magazines around the world, with some industry insiders throwing British designer Sarah Burton’s name into the ring.
Jordan’s ever fashionable Queen Rania wore a gown by French label Dior. (Reuters)
Jordan’s ever-fashionable Queen Rania wore a gown by French label Dior that hailed from the luxury label’s fall 2022 couture collection.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Princess of Wales was among the high-profile royal guests at the ceremony.
Kate, Princess of Wales, and William, Prince of Wales, were among the high-profile royal guests at the ceremony. (RHCJO)
For the highly anticipated occasion, she wore an elegant Elie Saab gown from the brand’s fall/winter 2017 couture collection.
The pastel piece featured a high neck, full bell-shaped sleeves, as well as embroidery and lace detailing.
Princess Beatrice, who attended with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, wore a long-sleeved sequined dress by British brand Needle & Thread. (Courtesy of Royal Hashemite Court)
Also from the Britain, Princess Beatrice, who attended with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, wore a long-sleeved sequined dress by British brand Needle & Thread. She matched the black belt of the dress with a black bow adorning her flowing locks.
US first lady Jill Biden, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden, wore a light purple gown by Lebanese designer Reem Acra. (Courtesy of Royal Hashemite Court)
US First Lady Jill Biden, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden, wore a lilac gown by Lebanese designer Reem Acra. She was also spotted wearing the dress in April during a state dinner at the White House.
Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary, accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik, wore an Erdem cream gown with blue floral print. The luxury label was founded in London by Canadian Turkish fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu.
Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary, accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik, wore an Erdem cream gown with blue floral print. The luxury label was founded in London by Canadian-Turkish fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu. (Courtesy of Royal Hashemite Court)
Earlier, the bride stayed true to her Saudi roots at her May 22 henna night by wearing a custom-made gown by Saudi designer Honayda Serafi.
The designer took inspiration from the Al-Shaby thobe of the Najd region in Saudi Arabia, home to the bride’s family.
“The brief was that she wanted to wear something very modest and something from Saudi Arabian culture, but with a modern twist. She wanted the piece to be very elegant, and she also wanted it to be white,” Serafi previously told Arab News.
Apart from the references to Al-Saif’s Saudi heritage, the dress also featured nods to Jordanian culture.
Serafi included the seven-pointed white star that is present on the Jordanian national flag, which symbolized the seven verses of Surat Al-Fatiha in the Qur’an.
Other details in the dress included Saudi Arabia’s palm trees, which symbolize life and vitality, as well as a verse by famous Tunisian poet Aboul Qacem Echebbi — “When my eyes see you, life becomes right” — etched into the dress in Arabic lettering.
“My intention behind designing this dress was to document the eternal love and the history of the royal wedding. And, of course, I have used traditional threads and it is all hand embroidered,” said Serafi.
Royal fashion: Inside soon-to-be Princess Rajwa Al-Saif’s stylish wardrobe
Updated 31 May 2023
Arab News
DUBAI: We take a look at Saudi bride Rajwa Al-Saif’s fashion choices since she has been cast in the spotlight after her engagement to Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II.
Al-Saif has made headlines around the world for her style, much like her future mother-in-law Queen Rania. Here, we take a closer look at her wardrobe — from designer duds to high street picks.
August 2022
On Aug. 17, Al-Saif wore a cream-colored kaftan with gold floral detailing by Lebanese brand Orient 499 at the couple’s engagement. She added a gold belt that seems to have been borrowed from Queen Rania, who was spotted wearing the piece in 2019.
In a set of engagement photos, Al-Saif showed off the Brennie Lurex Georgette Dress with blouson sleeves by Greek brand Costarellos.
In another set of images, Al-Saif wore the Ariza Skirt by Canadian designer Sara Roka and blue Valentino pumps.
October 2022
For Al-Saif’s first official appointment she visited the Royal Hashemite Court and wore a shirt tucked into an Alexander McQueen midi-skirt, an Alexander McQueen belt and a white Gucci GG Marmont bag.
December 2022
Jordan’s Royal Hashemite Court shared an image of Al-Saif in a high-collared midi dress by Singaporean fashion designer Andrew Gn.
March 2023
On March 7, Al-Saif attended her future sister-in-law Princess Iman bint Abdullah II’s henna party in a pink-and-orange kaftan by Saudi fashion house Art of Heritage, paired with olive green Gianvito Rossi pumps.
On March 12, she attended Princess Iman’s wedding in the Neolitsea Dress by Roksanda and a pair of Malone Souliers Marla 85 Mules from the brand’s capsule collection with L’Atelier Nawbar.
April 2023
Al-Saif was spotted at the Tawasol: Dialogue on Reality and Aspirations forum in Amman wearing a hot pink pantsuit by high street retailer Zara.
What will she wear? Celebrity stylists weigh in on Rajwa Al-Saif’s wedding gown
Updated 31 May 2023
Hanadi Merchant-Habib
DUBAI: With the royal wedding of the year already upon us, fashion enthusiasts in the Middle East and beyond are still speculating what bride-to-be Rajwa Al-Saif will wear at the nuptials.
The future queen of Jordan has a less-is-more take on fashion and is often seen in minimalist looks during public appearances.
From feminine monochrome dresses to chic A-line skirts, her glamorous yet understated style has undoubtedly piqued the interest of tabloids around the world.
The real question is, will Al-Saif follow suit and opt for Dior like Jordan’s Princess Iman did for her wedding in March? Celebrity stylists certainly think so — and for good reason.
Yasmine Eissa, a celebrity stylist responsible for dressing A-listers such as Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak and Lebanese Netflix star Razane Jammal, said: “Dior is a very elegant and regal brand. The royal family is famous for its minimalistic approach to fashion and isn’t showy. This is the direction that Dior usually takes for its gowns which works perfectly with their personality.
“As a big fan of Dior and as a stylist who constantly pulls gowns from them, I definitely see why she may opt for the brand.”
Princess Iman’s custom-made Dior wedding dress featured a modest silhouette embedded with delicate floral embroidery on the lace cuff and the gossamer veil.
Meanwhile, Queen Rania opted for a timeless Dior Fall/Winter 2022 couture collection dress with flowy sleeves and a Victorian high collar at the March 12 wedding.
Celebrity stylist and costume designer Mai Galal said: “As one of the oldest fashion design houses, their designs are always graceful. Dior is always associated with elegance, and that’s why I think the royal family will go with the maison.”
Galal added that if not Dior, there was a strong chance Al-Saif may turn to Bruce Oldfield, one of the late Princess Diana’s favorite British designers in the 1980s.
Princess Diana in a gown designed by Bruce Oldfield on Nov. 18, 1991. (Getty Images)
“Bruce Oldfield is known for dressing royal families, which is why it would be a suitable pick for Rajwa Al-Saif,” she said.
Queen Rania wore an opulent Oldfield creation for her wedding in 1993, which featured an embroidered cropped bolero layered over a full-skirted gown. Princess Iman used the same wedding belt from 30 years ago to cinch the Reema Dahbour dress she wore at her henna party.
Then-Princess Rania wore an opulent Oldfield creation for her wedding in 1993. (AFP)
Given Oldfield’s existing association with the Jordanian royal family, it would not be a surprise if Al-Saif chose him.
More recently, the designer was behind British Queen Consort Camilla’s rich coronation outfit.
Eissa noted that other frontrunners could be Arab designers such as Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, or even Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton who recently designed Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s coronation outfit and the British royal’s wedding gown in 2011.
Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton designed Kate Middleton’s wedding gown in 2011. (AFP)
Designer Amina Muaddi celebrates her birthday in style
Updated 01 June 2023
Arab News
DUBAI: Celebrity-loved footwear designer Amina Muaddi had an early birthday celebration this week with her friends and colleagues.
The shoemaker, who is of Jordanian and Romanian descent but grew up in Italy, turns 37 on May 31. To mark the special occasion, Muaddi got together with some of her closest friends.
The entrepreneur, who wore a long brown leather dress, shared snippets of her pre-birthday bash on her Instagram Stories.
Muaddi wore a long brown leather dress. (Instagram)
Muaddi’s celebrity friends including US model and socialite Lori Harvey took to Instagram to share pictures. “Happy birthday my baby Amina Muaddi. It’s always a party when we get together. I hope you have the best day ever. Cant wait to celebrate you,” Harvey wrote on her Stories.
Egyptian Moroccan Dutch model Imaan Hammam also posted a picture. “Its my sis Amina Muaddi’s birthday y’all!” she wrote on Instagram.
The pair have previously collaborated on a special campaign that paid tribute to their Arab roots. Hammam starred in the August 2022 campaign that was shot in Cairo.
Muaddi’s celebrity friends including US model and socialite Lori Harvey took to Instagram to share pictures. (Instagram)
The videos and images featured Hammam in multiple scenarios, including standing alongside a white Arabian horse and posing atop intricately woven rugs.
The model wore strappy square stilettos, satin pointed-toe pumps and transparent platforms that were embellished with Muaddi’s iconic sparkly detailing.
Muaddi certainly has a lot to celebrate as she is at the helm of one of the most in-demand footwear labels in the industry.
She launched her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, about one year after departing from her role as co-founder and creative director of luxury footwear label Oscar Tiye.
The creator also helped design the shoes for Rihanna’s Fenty collection. The collaboration was so successful that it received the Collaborator of the Year award at the 34th edition of the FN Achievement Awards in 2020.
A year later, she landed a spot on Women’s Wear Daily and Footwear News’ 50 Most Powerful Women list.
The most recent A-list star to step out in her heels is Beyonce. She wore Muaddi’s Begum PVC glass pumps in London, on her Renaissance World Tour.
