Best and Worst: Saudi beauty founder Abeer Sinder discusses style moments and fashion trends

Best and Worst: Saudi beauty founder Abeer Sinder discusses style moments and fashion trends
Saudi entrepreneur Abeer Sinder is the founder of both haircare line SNDR and SNDR.Co — a brand specializing in wigs, extensions, and lashes. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 August 2024
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Best and Worst: Saudi beauty founder Abeer Sinder discusses style moments and fashion trends

Best and Worst: Saudi beauty founder Abeer Sinder discusses style moments and fashion trends

DUBAI: The Saudi entrepreneur, founder of both haircare line SNDR and SNDR.Co — a brand specializing in wigs, extensions, and lashes — discusses style moments, fashion trends, and good and bad advice. 

Best TV show/film you’ve ever seen? 

My favorite movie is “A Walk to Remember.” I am a hopeless romantic and the love story between Landon and Jamie is incredibly touching and beautifully portrayed. The way their relationship transforms them both and the heartwarming yet bittersweet ending make it a truly unforgettable film. It is perfect for anyone who believes in the power of love and the impact it can have on our lives. 

 

 

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen?  

One of the worst TV shows I’ve ever seen is “The Bachelor.” While some people find it entertaining, I think it can be overly dramatic and often feels staged. The premise of finding love in such a competitive and artificial environment. It seems unrealistic to me. It lacks genuine connections and meaningful interactions, which is what makes other romance shows or movies enjoyable. 

Best personal style moment so far?   

One of my best personal style moments so far was attending the Hai Vogue Fashion Experience in Jeddah. I wore a stunning, Saudi designer masterpiece that perfectly blended traditional Saudi elegance with modern fashion trends. The intricate detailing and flattering silhouette made me feel both confident and glamorous. It was a memorable moment because it allowed me to showcase my unique style and celebrate Saudi culture on an international platform. 

 

 

Worst personal style moment?    

I honestly do not think I have a worst personal style moment. I believe that every fashion choice I have made has been a learning experience and a part of my journey in developing my unique style. Even if some looks weren’t perfect, they’ve all contributed to my growth and understanding of fashion. 

Best accessory for a little black dress?   

The best accessory for a little black dress is a statement necklace. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, instantly elevating the simplicity of the dress. A bold, eye-catching necklace can make the outfit stand out and draw attention to your face, creating a perfect balance between classic and chic. 

 

 

Worst accessory for a little black dress?    

The beauty of a little black dress lies in its versatility. You can pair it with literally any accessory—from bold statement pieces to subtle, elegant touches, and it will always look fabulous. That is the magic of the little black dress: it effortlessly adapts to your style! 

Best fashion trend of 2024? 

One of the best fashion trends of 2024 is the comeback of timeless classic pieces and 90’s style. I love how these trends bring a sense of nostalgia while remaining effortlessly chic and versatile. Timeless classics like tailored blazers and simple silhouettes provide a foundation for any wardrobe, while the 90’s inspired looks, such as slip dresses and high-waisted jeans, add a fun and retro vibe. It is a perfect blend of elegance and playful nostalgia that allows for endless styling possibilities. 

 

 

Worst fashion trend of 2024? 

I am not a fan of the resurgence of ultra-low-rise jeans. While they had their moment in the early 2000s, they can be quite uncomfortable and challenging to style in a way that feels flattering and modern. They often do not suit many body types and can limit the versatility of outfits. High-waisted jeans offer a much more flattering and practical alternative, which is why I prefer them over the low-rise trend. 

Best advice you’ve ever been given?   

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to always stay true to myself and my values. In the world of fashion and social media, it is easy to get caught up in trends and what others expect of you. However, remaining authentic and grounded in who I am has been crucial to my success and happiness. This advice has helped me navigate my career with confidence and integrity, making choices that align with my true self. 

Worst advice you’ve ever been given? 

I honestly do not remember the worst advice I’ve ever been given. I tend to focus on the positive and the lessons learned, so any bad advice has just been a stepping stone to better decisions and growth. 

Best book you’ve ever read?     

The best book I’ve ever read is “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. It’s an incredibly insightful book about living in the present moment and understanding the power of our subconscious mind. The way it explains the concept of mindfulness and how our thoughts shape our reality is truly transformative. It is a powerful read that has deeply influenced my perspective on life and the power of attraction. 

 

 

Worst book you’ve ever read?     

I do not think I have come across a book that I would consider the worst. Every book I have read has offered some value, whether it’s through new ideas, different perspectives, or simply the pleasure of reading. Even if a book is not my favorite, I believe there is always something to learn from it. 

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low? 

The best thing to do when I am feeling low is to spend quality time with my family. Their love and support always lift my spirits and remind me of what's truly important. Whether it is playing with my kids, having a heartfelt conversation, or simply enjoying a meal together, being around my loved ones helps me feel grounded and recharged. 

 

 

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?   

The worst thing to do when you are feeling good is to overcommit or take on too much at once. It is easy to get carried away with enthusiasm and agree to numerous tasks or projects, but this can lead to burnout and stress. It is important to enjoy the positive feelings without overwhelming yourself, maintaining a balance to sustain your well-being and happiness. 

Best holiday destination?   

The best holiday destination really depends on the season. Europe in the summer is perfect because the countrysides are beautiful, the weather is amazing and the kids enjoy it. Plus, I love the rich culture and stunning scenery and do not mind the endless possibilities for content creation!  

In the winter, Bali or the Maldives are ideal choices for me because I don’t like to be cold! It has beautiful warm weather, gorgeous beaches and a perfect escape from the winter chill. 

Worst holiday destination?   

For me, a destination that’s overly crowded or lacks natural beauty might not be as enjoyable. It’s important to choose a holiday spot that matches your interests and provides the relaxation or adventure you’re looking for. 

Best subject at school? 

My favorite subject in school was literature. I loved poetry and diving into different stories, exploring various writing styles, and discussing the themes and characters. It sparked my imagination and helped me develop a deeper appreciation for storytelling, which has been invaluable in my career as a content creator and influencer. 

Worst subject at school?   

The worst subject for me in school was probably math. While I understand its importance, I found it challenging and less engaging compared to other subjects. The abstract concepts and complex problem-solving did not come as naturally to me, and I often struggled to stay interested. However, I still appreciate the skills it taught me in logical thinking and discipline. 

 

 

Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day?    

The best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day is to start with a clear plan and set specific goals. Creating a to-do list and prioritizing tasks helps you stay focused and organized. Waking up early is also crucial, as it gives you a head start and more time to accomplish your goals. Also, starting the day with a healthy routine, such as a good breakfast and some exercise, can boost your energy and mindset, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. This approach helps me maximize efficiency and ensures that I accomplish important tasks.  

Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day? 

The worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day is to start by checking social media or other distractions. It’s easy to lose track of time and get caught up in browsing, which can derail your focus and reduce your efficiency.

 

 

Best concert you’ve ever been to?  

I’ve only ever been to MDLBeast –  believe it or not – but the energy was electric. The performances were top-notch and the atmosphere was unforgettable. It truly set a high standard for any future concerts I might attend. 

Worst concert you’ve ever been to?   

I haven’t been to any others.  

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Review: ‘I Am Georgina,’ Season 3 — reality TV, Saudi style

Review: ‘I Am Georgina,’ Season 3 — reality TV, Saudi style
Updated 18 September 2024
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Review: ‘I Am Georgina,’ Season 3 — reality TV, Saudi style

Review: ‘I Am Georgina,’ Season 3 — reality TV, Saudi style

DUBAI: Netflix’s “Soy Georgina” (“I Am Georgina”) is back, and this time it explores Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez’s life after her move to Saudi Arabia with partner Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023.

The reality show dominated the Netflix Top 10 in 46 countries after the release of season two. One episode was set entirely in Dubai and showed the Burj Khalifa lit up for Rodriguez’s 28th birthday.

The model-meets-Middle Eastern-luxury formula seems to be one the producers were keen to continue, with fans taken on a whirlwind tour of the Kingdom in season three as Rodriguez and her family explore life in the country.

However, the high-end hotels and stunning seascapes are interspersed with moments of real introspection and fragility, which takes this program from stereotypical reality TV territory to something altogether more inviting and — dare I say it? — heartwarming.

We follow Rodriguez as she embarks on a number of firsts. These include the opening of her first beach house, Villa Perla, to starring in an international campaign for a famous clothing brand and making her debut at Paris Fashion Week by walking for Swiss fashion label Vetements.

One of the most touching aspects of the show is Rodriguez’s relationship with her children — the couple have five, the eldest of whom was born to another mother. The opening scenes of the season show Rodriguez’s worrying about, and praising, her kids and it offers a new side to the woman we are more used to seeing on fashion billboards.

Similarly, the — albeit sparse — scenes of a football legend pottering around with his young family offers insight into Ronaldo as a father, for which the series is all the better.

There are, thankfully, no engineered high-drama interactions and although it does sometimes feel like a carefully staged advertorial, there are candid caught-on-camera moments where the star seems tense and nervous at public events.

She is also not one to shy away from talking about her humble roots and being honest about the sometimes taxing reality of her life in the spotlight and what it takes to be a poster girl for all things glamor.


From London to Milan, Nora Attal dominates fashion week  

From London to Milan, Nora Attal dominates fashion week  
Updated 18 September 2024
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From London to Milan, Nora Attal dominates fashion week  

From London to Milan, Nora Attal dominates fashion week  

DUBAI: British Moroccan model Nora Attal made a mark at London Fashion Week, walking in high-profile shows such as Burberry, Simone Rocha and Nensi Dojaka — all within a span of just two days.

At the Burberry show, she showcased a casual ensemble featuring light beige knee-length shorts paired with a striped, collared button-down shirt that was slightly tucked in at the front. Over this, she sported a muted olive green blazer with rolled-up sleeves. Her outfit was complemented by a large, quilted shoulder bag and matching beige and cream-colored loafers, the latter of which were adorned with small studs.

Attal showcased a casual ensemble featuring light beige knee-length shorts paired with a striped, collared button-down shirt. (Getty Images)

British designer Daniel Lee has been steering Burberry’s creative direction for the past two years with innovative flair. For women, he reimagined the classic trench coat into various forms including a cropped jacket, a halter cape or a parka with shoulders covered in silk organza faux feather trims, layered over delicate dresses or skirts, blending elegance with a sportier, even military style.

For men, the influence of sportswear fashion was even stronger, with lightweight materials and functional cuts, giving rise to outfits of flowing pants and tartan zip-up jackets, paired with sneakers or loafers.

The model stepped out on the Nensi Dojaka runway in a form-fitting, short black dress. (Getty Images)

The collection also gave a nod to the resurgence of y2k fashion, with low-rise trousers, cargos and capris that end below the knee.

The show was attended by Arab figures including Saudi producer Moahmmed Al-Turki, Australia-born model Shanina Shaik — who is of Saudi, Pakistani and Lithuanian descent — and Dubai-based influencer Ola Farahat. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by SIMONE ROCHA (@simonerocha_)

For the Simone Rocha show, Attal donned an ensemble that featured a long-sleeved, sheer top with a fitted bodice. Beneath this, a satiny black dress was visible, designed with a cinched waist. The dress extended into a flowing skirt that daringly split high on the thigh. 

Meanwhile, the model stepped out on the Nensi Dojaka runway in a form-fitting, short black dress. The design included an asymmetrical neckline, with one shoulder adorned with delicate, ruffled white fabric. 

After wrapping up her appearances at London Fashion Week, the model headed to Milan to partake in its fashion week that started on Tuesday. She kicked off her runway engagements by walking for Alberta Ferretti, wearing a black strapless, figure-hugging mini dress embellished with beadwork and lace detailing.


Riyadh International Book Fair promises celebration of literature

Riyadh International Book Fair promises celebration of literature
Updated 18 September 2024
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Riyadh International Book Fair promises celebration of literature

Riyadh International Book Fair promises celebration of literature
  • Fair will host writers, thinkers, and intellectuals from Saudi Arabia and beyond, making it a pivotal literary platform in the region
  • Mohammed Hasan Alwan: The fair offers visitors a unique intellectual and cultural experience, incorporating the latest technologies and digital solutions

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is gearing up for the 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair, which is set to take place from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 at King Saud University in Riyadh.

With about 2,000 local, Arab and international publishing houses and agencies from more than 30 countries adorning 800 booths, this year’s fair promises to be a celebration of literature, knowledge, and creativity.

The fair will host writers, thinkers, and intellectuals from Saudi Arabia and beyond, making it a pivotal literary platform in the region.

Qatar will be the guest of honor at the fair. The rich cultural and intellectual legacy of the country will be on display through a dedicated pavilion featuring rare manuscripts and publications from Qatar’s Ministry of Culture.

Leading literary and artistic luminaries, alongside key organizations from Qatar’s cultural landscape, will feature at the event.

Mohammed Hasan Alwan, the CEO of the commission, said that the fair illustrated the unwavering support for cultural endeavors in Saudi Arabia.

Alwan said: “The fair offers visitors a unique intellectual and cultural experience, incorporating the latest technologies and digital solutions. Attendees can discover thousands of new releases across various fields and enjoy a wide range of activities and events within the diverse cultural program, featuring prominent cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and beyond.

“This makes the 2024 edition a truly inspiring cultural journey, building on the successes of previous editions.”

This year’s fair boasts a dedicated business zone, with participation from literary agencies managing authors’ works and contracts, and with printing presses offering services to publishers. Additionally, there will be government and financial institution booths related to the publishing business sector.

The zone will host special sessions and workshops on topics such as entrepreneurship, licensing and copyright.

The fair will also feature a children’s area brimming with literary, cultural, and entertainment activities aimed at igniting the spark of curiosity in the young generation.

By championing local authors, providing a platform for self-published works, and offering a diverse range of cultural activities, the fair reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to nurture creativity and promote literary innovation.

The fair’s diverse cultural and intellectual activities are to be hosted in partnership with the Cultural Channel.

The program includes dialogue sessions, workshops, poetry evenings, and concerts and artistic performances designed to enrich the cultural sector, foster knowledge and promote reading as a way of life, while contributing to the sustainability of the cultural and intellectual renaissance underway in Saudi society.


Dubai gallery to host Andy Warhol exhibition ‘The Glam Factory’

Dubai gallery to host Andy Warhol exhibition ‘The Glam Factory’
Updated 18 September 2024
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Dubai gallery to host Andy Warhol exhibition ‘The Glam Factory’

Dubai gallery to host Andy Warhol exhibition ‘The Glam Factory’

DUBAI: Artworks by late pop art icon Andy Warhol will be displayed in the UAE as part of “The Glam Factory” exhibition at the Foundry gallery in Dubai.

Curated by Nada Ghandour, “The Glam Factory” highlights Warhol, a prominent American artist in the 1960s known for his pop art style. “Campbell’s Soup Cans,” “Marilyn Monroe” and “Banana” are among his most famous pieces.

In an interview with Arab News, Heritage Curator Nada Ghandour described the exhibition as a “new reading of Andy Warhol’s work through the lens of our digital era and here in Dubai.”

Warhol moved to New York City in 1949 to pursue his American Dream and become rich and famous, said Ghandour.

“People today come to Dubai to also live out this dream. The American dream is more about opportunity and prosperity, and we know that many people today are moving to Dubai because it is a destination for stability and growth,” she explained.

Inspired by Warhol’s workshop “The Silver Factory,” Ghandour named the exhibition “The Glam Factory,” paying homage to his artistic process.

To draw a portrait, she explained, Warhol would take about 150 photos. He would then choose small parts from each photo and mix them together.

“He was capable of doing the job of a plastic surgeon; this was the glamorous and beautiful aspect of it,” she said.

Ghandour described Warhol as an artistic and technological visionary.

“Warhol was ahead of his time and was describing the artificial intelligence that we know now,” she said.

If he were alive now, she added, “he would speak to AI to create something in collaboration with a computer.”

The collection features over 100 of Warhol’s original pieces including screen prints, photos and magazine illustrations.

Located at the Foundry art space in Downtown Dubai, “The Glam Factory” exhibition is set to run from Sept. 20 to Oct. 31 of this year.


Mona Zaki-starring ‘Flight 404’ chosen as Egypt’s Oscars submission

Mona Zaki-starring ‘Flight 404’ chosen as Egypt’s Oscars submission
Updated 17 September 2024
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Mona Zaki-starring ‘Flight 404’ chosen as Egypt’s Oscars submission

Mona Zaki-starring ‘Flight 404’ chosen as Egypt’s Oscars submission

DUBAI: Egyptian actress Mona Zaki and the Egyptian Film Syndicate announced this week that the film “Flight 404” will be Egypt’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards.

This means that the film will be considered for the shortlist. If the movie gets shortlisted, it could then get nominated for an Academy Award.

The movie tells the story of Ghada, who, just days before her Hajj pilgrimage, is confronted with an emergency that requires a large sum of money. Forced to seek help, she must turn to individuals from a troubled past she had promised to leave behind.

Besides Zaki, the film, directed by filmmaker Hani Khalifa and scripted by Mohamed Ragaa, stars actors Mohamed Farag, Mohamed Mamdouh, Shereen Reda, Khaled El-Sawy, Mohamed Alaa, Hassan Al-Adl, Sama Ibrahim, Shadi Alfons, Rana Raies, Gihan El-Shamashergy and Arfa Abdel Rassoul.

The Oscar’s 97th edition is set to take place on March 3, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. 

Key dates for the 2025 submissions and voting were announced earlier this year. The deadline for general entries and Best Picture submissions is Thursday, Nov. 14. Preliminary voting for shortlists in ten categories will occur between Dec. 9-13, with the results to be revealed on Dec. 17. The nominations voting period will run from Jan. 8-12, and the official nominations will be announced on Friday, Jan. 17—a shift from the usual earlier-in-the-week schedule.

Last year, Egypt selected Mohamed Farag-starring “Voy Voy Voy!” as its entry for the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film award, while Yemen selected director Amr Gamal’s “The Burdened” and Tunisia competed with Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters.” Morocco selected Asmae El-Moudir’s documentary “The Mother of All Lies.” 

Jordan submitted Amjad Al-Rasheed’s movie “Inshallah a Boy” and Palestine submitted Lina Soualem’s documentary “Bye Bye Tiberias.” 

None of the films won at the 2024 Oscars, though “Four Daughters” was nominated for Best Documentary Feature, a category ultimately won by “20 Days in Mariupol.” This marked a historic moment for director Kaouther Ben Hania, as she became the first Arab woman to receive a second Oscar nomination.