Lebanese actress Razane Jammal stars in Dior’s campaign for Ramadan

Lebanese actress Razane Jammal stars in Dior’s campaign for Ramadan
The star featured in a shoot for the new capsule collection, Dior Or. (Instagram)
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Updated 23 March 2023

Lebanese actress Razane Jammal stars in Dior’s campaign for Ramadan

Lebanese actress Razane Jammal stars in Dior’s campaign for Ramadan

DUBAI: Lebanese actor Razane Jammal got a starring role in French luxury label Dior’s campaign for Ramadan, joining Saudi Arabia’s Aseel Omran.

The star, who is the brand’s Middle East ambassador, was featured in a shoot for the new capsule collection, Dior Or.

Jammal told “Hia” magazine: “Giving up is not an option, because despite the obstacles faced by anyone on their journey, they should be completely ready to seize the opportunity that arises.”

The shoot featured Jammal — who is also making headlines for her role in the show “Al-Thaman” — wearing a flowing beige outfit while holding a matching Dior clutch.

She told her followers on Instagram: “I shot the Dior Or Ramadan capsule collection in Paris on the day ‘Al-Thaman’ was released, so that makes it extra special.”

She also posed wearing a black skirt and a gold tulle skirt with a beige blazer.

Omran was named the first Middle East ambassador for Dior in March 2022.

The Alkhobar-born actor and singer then starred in a campaign for the brand in September for the launch of Dior Beauty’s latest scent, Gris Dior. 

The new fragrance was part of La Collection Privee, of which Omran is the featured face.


French Algerian model Younes Bendjima stars in Farfetch’s latest campaign  

French Algerian model Younes Bendjima stars in Farfetch’s latest campaign  
Updated 30 March 2023

French Algerian model Younes Bendjima stars in Farfetch’s latest campaign  

French Algerian model Younes Bendjima stars in Farfetch’s latest campaign  

DUBAI: French Algerian model Younes Bendjima has starred in a new Spring/Summer 2023 campaign for British-Portuguese luxury fashion e-retailer Farfetch.  

Bendjima was joined by US actress Marcia Cross, famous for her role as Bree Van de Kamp in “Desperate Housewives.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by FARFETCH (@farfetch)

The campaign celebrates the idea that you only need to dress for yourself, not anyone else.  

In one scene, Cross is seen getting dressed up for herself and dancing contentedly alone in a red Ferragamo dress.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by FARFETCH (@farfetch)

Cross is also seen dressed in a Dolce & Gabbana leopard print coat while she says: “I’m so tired of everybody else’s opinions, I can make my own choices” with Younes seen shot fully clothed wearing a black sleeveless blazer by Jil Sander commenting” “What can you lose, when you’re doing you?” 

“Younes has such a quiet aura to himself, a kind soul with impeccable style,” creative director of Farfetch Yannis Henrion said in a released statement. “It’s brilliant to be able to portray both sides of the spectrum; showing two great personalities who love to express themselves with their style and make up their own aesthetic.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by FARFETCH (@farfetch)

“We are so excited to bring this unlikely pair of style icons together for this new campaign,” Henrion added. “Marcia is celebrated as an icon for her confidence and fierce style … We wanted to give Marcia the opportunity to show what her own style looks like since she is just as iconic and fierce in real life as in her best on-screen roles.” 

The online retailer previously starred actresses Kim Cattrall and Leighton Meester in their campaigns.  


Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Design Award extends submissions deadline until April 12 

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Design Award extends submissions deadline until April 12 
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Design Award extends submissions deadline until April 12 

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Design Award extends submissions deadline until April 12 

DUBAI: The AlUla Design Award — which recognizes design inspired by the heritage, landscapes and artistic legacies of AlUla — is returning for a second edition this year and on Wednesday extended its deadline for submissions until April 12.  

The award invites established and emerging designers to conceptualize and propose design items in the categories of jewelry, footwear, clothing, home accessories, leather goods and more.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @artsalula

 

The second iteration of the award was announced in January by executive director of Arts AlUla at the Royal Commission for AlUla Nora AlDabal. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @artsalula

 

“Being so steep in history and culture, and with the mesmerizing natural wonders it holds, AlUla is the perfect muse for any creative wishing to push their boundaries,” AlDabal said, according to a released statement. “AlUla Design Award is the intersection between heritage and contemporary creative culture, providing local and international talents with the opportunity to interact with AlUla and translate it to their designs.”  

Submissions will be evaluated by a jury from the design world, and the shortlisted design concepts will progress to a prototyping round. The winning proposals will be commissioned, supported in their production and promoted within AlUla.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @artsalula

 

 

In partnership with Paris Design Week (PDW), the shortlisted designers will have the opportunity to showcase their prototypes in an exhibition in September 2023 where the winners will be announced.   

The first edition of the AlUla Design Award welcomed more than 700 applicants, with 262 shortlisted, 18 finalists and six winners. The six winners of the first edition were Reem Bashawri, Nour Shourbagy, Tarek El-Kassouf, Mohamad Baalbaki with AlJoharah AlRasheed, Rukun with Harry Dobbs and Niko Kapa.  

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world
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Arab style stars tapped to show off Italian brand Etro’s latest accessory

Arab style stars tapped to show off Italian brand Etro’s latest accessory
Updated 29 March 2023

Arab style stars tapped to show off Italian brand Etro’s latest accessory

Arab style stars tapped to show off Italian brand Etro’s latest accessory

DUBAI: Iconic Italian luxury brand Etro, known for its ready-to-wear looks with luxurious fabrics and paisley prints, has added a new bag to its roster and collaborated with fashion-forward influencers from the Middle East to show it off.    

The brand has tapped names from the region — including Karen Wazen, Ola Farahat and Rym Saidi — to advertise its first-ever bag designed by Creative Director Marco de Vincenzo. 

Other popular faces in the campaign include Saudi beauty influencer Yara Al-Namlah, Iraqi blogger Deema Al-Asadi and Palestinian social media star Julia Hussein.  

Saudi Arabian fashion influencer Yara Al-Namlah with the Etro bag. (Supplied)

“XOXO gossip girls… There were rumors of a new #EtroVelaBag. Paparazzi say it’s the new age of ‘functionality’ in hand,” posted Al-Namlah on Instagram, along with a few shots of her carrying the bag.   

“Makin’ my way downtown— in @etro,” posted Wazen, the Lebanese fashion entrepreneur and social media influencer based out of Dubai.  

 

The classic bag draws inspiration from the nautical world as “its sharp silhouette and dynamic contours seem to ‘cut through’ the wind like a sail,” according to a press release. 

The V-shaped closure features a flexible zipper and a chain with a medal engraved with the Etro logo on one side and a Pegasus on the other, made with the same technique used to mint coins.  

The handbag comes in black, ivory, gianduja chocolate, and seasonal colors. A double detachable shoulder strap allows the bag to be worn on the shoulder or cross-body.  

Tunisian model Saidi, who turned heads at the recent Dubai World Cup, also took to Instagram to show off the bag.  

At the Dubai World Cup, the Tunisian model wore a red ensemble by Fendi, which celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad paired with a Virginie.O headpiece.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ola (@olafarahat)

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with the New York Times, new Etro Creative Director de Vincenzo talked about being the first non-family member to lead the Italian luxury label.  

The previous co-creative directors were second-generation siblings Kean and Veronica.  

“It was an opportunity to be part of a story,” said de Vincenzo.   


Celebrity-loved Roksanda Ilincic talks dressing Rajwa Al-Saif and design inspiration

Celebrity-loved Roksanda Ilincic talks dressing Rajwa Al-Saif and design inspiration
Updated 28 March 2023

Celebrity-loved Roksanda Ilincic talks dressing Rajwa Al-Saif and design inspiration

Celebrity-loved Roksanda Ilincic talks dressing Rajwa Al-Saif and design inspiration
  • Roksanda Ilincic’s designs have been worn by the likes of Kate Middleton, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Obama
  • Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan’s Saudi fiancee Rajwa Al-Saif wore a Roksanda creation to Princess Iman’s recent wedding in Amman

DUBAI: London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic has quite the clientele. From British royalty like the princess of Wales to Hollywood A-listers Anne Hathaway and Blake Lively, her technicolored dresses are a go-to for many celebrities. 

Closer to home, the Saudi national and the fiancee of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, Rajwa Al-Saif, was in the news for the elegant bright yellow cape dress by Ilincic that she wore to Princess Iman of Jordan’s recent wedding.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

Arab News caught up with the designer to learn more.

Al-Saif wearing her Neolitsea dress to the royal wedding came as a big surprise to the designer. “It was an absolute joy and such a privilege to see! I love the dress for its cape and the drama happening at the back,” said Ilincic.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

Royalty aside, the designer is also very popular with the regional style set in the Middle East. Last year, she spoke at Riyadh’s Fashion Futures and visited Kuwait for a lunch hosted by Harvey Nichols. “Riyadh was a wonderful experience — I love meeting my customers in person and discovering new ways of wearing my designs. Arab women are very educated in fashion — they know what luxury fabrics are and are open to experimenting,” said Ilincic. 

In addition, she believes women in the region love and understand her aesthetic, featuring bright colors and unusual shapes.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

The Serbian-born designer studied architecture and applied arts at the University of Belgrade before moving to London for further studies. Ilincic graduated with her master’s degree in womenswear from Central Saint Martins in 1999, where she trained under the late professor Louise Wilson OBE. “When I interviewed at the institute, Louise Wilson asked me, ‘what do you want to do with your life once you graduate?’ So I said I want to start my own label, and I remember she was laughing at the time and thinking, ‘wow, those are very ambitious plans,’” she recalled.

For Ilincic, expressing herself and communicating through clothing was always an inner calling, and in 2005, she presented her first collection at London Fashion Week. Then, in 2014, she took the plunge and opened her flagship store on London’s Mount Street, designed by legendary architect Sir David Adjaye. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

Ilincic’s designs have become a celebrity staple through her eclectic color combinations and architectural silhouettes. Her inclination towards bold colors stems from her home country and is also reminiscent of the past works of the remarkable Christian Lacroix, who she considers an icon. 

“He’s definitely an inspiration, and so is home where there’s lots of sun, and everything surrounding me was in color. Even a trip to the food market would result in incredible color combinations,” she explained.

Her love for fluid architecture, too, lends itself to her designs. For example, she tries to avoid corsets as much as possible — for ease of movement and comfort for the wearer. “I use corsets when necessary, but I experiment to find alternatives. Sometimes I’ll use grosgrain ribbons or dresses with support on side seams. That element of comfort is really important and something that I never take for granted,” she said.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

Elsewhere, it is art that often inspires her. Case in point: Her Fall/Winter 2023 collection that referenced the works of Japanese artist Atsuko Tanaka. The grandiose closing gowns consisted of dresses reminiscent of Tanaka’s “Electric Dress” — a creation made from colorful lights and electrical cords. “I took elements of the electric tubes from her art piece, and transformed them into soft, curvilinear tubes and draped them like curves around the body,” Ilincic noted. Despite their sculptural appeal, she believes they are dresses that women can still wear on the red carpet or on stage while performing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Roksanda (@roksandailincic)

So how does a bonafide dressmaker dressing royalty end up collaborating with athletic wear brands like Lululemon and Fila? “I wanted to challenge myself — what I do is so radically different from what was becoming a norm — leggings worn as trousers or puffer jackets alongside red carpet skirts. I was lucky enough to partner with Lululemon and Fila to create sporty, couture-like pieces, and both collaborations have proved to be very successful,” she explained.

Last December, Michelle Obama wore a Roksanda X Fila jacket on her book tour. Couture-esque pieces or glamorous sportswear – it is clear Ilincic has mastered both — and that explains her ever-expanding celebrity fanbase.


Winnie Harlow’s Arab street style turns heads in Los Angeles

Winnie Harlow’s Arab street style turns heads in Los Angeles
Updated 28 March 2023

Winnie Harlow’s Arab street style turns heads in Los Angeles

Winnie Harlow’s Arab street style turns heads in Los Angeles

DUBAI: Canadian model Winnie Harlow was spotted championing Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran on the streets of Los Angeles. 

She donned a long textured green trench coat from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection that she wore over a brown turtleneck bodysuit.  

Harlow finished off her look with brown leather boots that extended up to her knees, a khaki structured purse and cat eye sunglasses that she tucked into the coat’s belt at her waist.  

The model wore the outfit for an eventful day. She attended a talk in Los Angeles where she spoke to business founders about her experience creating her beauty brand Cay Skin, she wrote in her Instagram caption as she shared pictures of her look.  

Harlow, who has over 10 million followers on Instagram, then went to celebrate one of her friend’s birthdays. “Long day, Work and Play. Speaking to new business founders about my experience my first year creating @cayskin then straight to the celebrations @mannyuk," she shared with her fans. 

The catwalk star is a regular visitor in the Middle East.  

She recently attended Saudi Arabia’s Formula E Diriyah E-Prix. 

“The experience at Formula E is unmatched and I’ve really enjoyed the vibe, people, atmosphere, and racing. I’ve been to Saudi Arabia a few times and always have a great experience, so I love that Formula E is in Diriyah,” Harlow said in a released statement in January. 

“Living in a more sustainable world and being able to enjoy motorsports at the same time is incredible,” she added.  

In November, she was spotted in Abu Dhabi. She attended the UAE’s Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and posed for pictures in front of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.  

To watch the race, Harlow wore a black sports jersey with green Swarovski crystals and black leggings with larger colorful crystals. She accessorized her look with a green bag and glasses.   

For her shoot, she wore a black form-fitting velvet dress with a matching turban by Omani label Atelier Zuhra, which was founded by designer Mouza Al-Awfi in 2015.   

She completed the look by layering chunky gold jewelry on her neck and wrists.