Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment
Saudi influencer Alya Khalil. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 March 2025
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Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

DUBAI: The Saudi influencer talks fashion, food and entertainment. 

Best TV show or film you’ve ever seen? 

“Succession.” The drama, the outfits, the power struggles… it’s just so good. For movies, “Interstellar” blew my mind. The way it explores space, time and human connections is incredible. The visuals are stunning, the music is unforgettable, and the story really makes you think about love, sacrifice, and the unknown. Plus the scene where time moves differently on different planets is just crazy. 

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen? 

I couldn’t get into (2009 British horror movie) “Triangle.” It’s the worst horror movie I’ve ever seen. It had an interesting idea, but the way it played out just didn’t keep me hooked. The characters weren’t very engaging, and by the end, it felt like it was trying too hard to be clever instead of actually being scary. 

Best personal style moment so far? 

Wearing evening dresses from my favorite Saudi designer, Huda Bamarouf. Nothing beats that feeling! I’ve worn Huda’s designs so many times, and every single time feels special. Huda is so unique. Her designs mix timeless elegance with a modern flair that truly sets them apart. My favorite piece is her stunning yellow “Alya” dress. It’s so elegant. It made a huge splash on social media, garnering tons of orders.  

Worst personal style moment? 

My teenage years — specifically the neon skinny jeans era. What was I thinking? 

Best accessory for a little black dress? 

A killer pair of earrings or a bold clutch. They are simple but they make a statement. 

Worst accessory for a little black dress? 

I don’t like it when there’s too much going on — like layering a million necklaces with an oversized belt. It just kills the elegance.  

Best fashion trend of 2025? 

Effortless minimalism. It’s chic, clean and timeless. I love it.  

Worst fashion trend of 2025? 

I don’t like some of these extreme Y2K comebacks. Not everything from the 2000s needs to make a return! 

Best advice you’ve ever been given? 

“Stay true to your vision, but be flexible.” It’s been a real game-changer for me. Trends change all the time, and life throws surprises at you, so being able to adapt while keeping your true self has really helped me grow. 

Worst advice you’ve ever been given? 

“Follow every trend to stay relevant.” No thanks. True style is all about curation. 

Best book you’ve ever read? 

“The Alchemist” (by Paolo Coelho). It’s such a good reminder to trust the process. I love how it shows that the journey itself is as important as the destination. It’s not just about chasing your dreams — it’s about embracing every twist and turn along the way. The simple storytelling makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger, and it reminds you that every setback or unexpected turn can lead to amazing discoveries.  

Worst book you’ve ever read? 

“Twilight” wasn’t my thing. I just didn’t love the writing style.  

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low? 

Two things: a little retail therapy and putting together an outfit that makes me feel amazing. Shopping gives me a creative break. And when I step outside in an outfit that boosts my confidence, it feels like I’m reclaiming my power. 

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good? 

Overcommitting and saying yes to everything just because you’re on a high. While it might feel exciting at first, it can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed. It sets you up for stress later on and can even affect your credibility if you can’t deliver on what you’ve promised. 

Best holiday destination? 

Italy. It’s beyond gorgeous. Not only does it boast stunning landscapes and charming cities, but its rich culture makes every moment feel like a dream. And the food is unforgettable: every meal is a celebration of taste, from fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas to decadent gelato. Wandering through Rome’s timeless ruins or the chic streets of Milan feels like stepping into a living museum of art and fashion. Every corner of Italy invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and immerse yourself in a vibrant lifestyle that’s as stylish as it is soulful. 

Worst holiday destination? 

I don’t like anywhere that’s so packed with tourists that you can’t actually enjoy it. 

Best subject at school? 

Art and literature. I’ve always been drawn to creative stuff. 

Worst subject at school? 

Chemistry. I respect it, but it was never my thing. 

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

Plan your outfit the night before. It saves time and puts you in the right mindset.  

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

Endless scrolling on social media. You suddenly realize that an hour has gone by and you’ve done nothing. 

 

 


Mohammed Al-Turki attends ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ premiere at Cannes

Mohammed Al-Turki attends ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ premiere at Cannes
Updated 15 May 2025
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Mohammed Al-Turki attends ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ premiere at Cannes

Mohammed Al-Turki attends ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ premiere at Cannes

DUBAI: Saudi film producer Mohammed Al-Turki was spotted at the red carpet premiere of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.  

Al-Turki, who previously served as CEO of the Red Sea International Film Festival, wore a midnight blue Berluti ensemble for the occasion. His look featured a satin and Super 200s micro design wool three-piece tuxedo, styled with a matching midnight blue bow tie and cotton shirt. He completed the outfit with black patent leather loafers.

Al-Turki posed for photos alongside Egyptian actress Yousra before the film’s screening. (Getty Images)

He posed for photos alongside Egyptian actress Yousra before the film’s screening.

US actor Greg Tarzan Davis, US actress Angela Bassett, US actor and producer Tom Cruise, French actress Pom Klementieff, US film director, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie leave after the screening of the film 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Getty Images)

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” stars Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell and Ving Rhames, continuing the story from 2023’s “Dead Reckoning – Part One.” The sequel follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they face off against the Entity, a rogue AI threatening global security. With the previous installment underperforming at the box office, this chapter is seen as a crucial release for the franchise.

The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22.


Saudi digital artist Maryam Tariq: ‘Art became a way to communicate with the world’ 

Saudi digital artist Maryam Tariq: ‘Art became a way to communicate with the world’ 
Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi digital artist Maryam Tariq: ‘Art became a way to communicate with the world’ 

Saudi digital artist Maryam Tariq: ‘Art became a way to communicate with the world’ 

DUBAI: Against a black background, parts of a face emerge: a chin, followed by lips, ears and eyes — at times alone and at others in unison — colored in yellow, light pink and purple, accompanied by what appear to be lines of TV static in the same colors.  

This digital work, “Memory Recall,” is the latest creation of Jeddah-based Saudi artist Maryam Tariq, which she presented in the digital section of Art Dubai in April, at the booth of Jeddah’s Hafez Gallery. Over the past five years, Tariq, who was born and raised in Yanbu, has made a name for herself with her mixed-media artworks, often utilizing light and 3D projection mapping. 

This digital work, “Memory Recall,” is the latest creation of Jeddah-based Saudi artist Maryam Tariq. (Supplied)

“Memory Recall” creates an alluring, dream-like environment. Tariq says it references human perception just after birth. The work was influenced by philosophical theories about early human development, particularly those of German psychoanalyst Erich Neumann.  

“I wanted to bring back the faded memory of when we were first born and our consciousness was still forming,” she tells Arab News. “It’s an abstract memory because our brain is still trying to make sense of the world; it doesn’t know the difference between an eye or an apple. 

“I feel the artwork represents a good place — a place where our ego hasn’t yet been formed,” she continues. “It’s a good place to try and be in from time to time.”  

The work offers a sense of what she calls “mystical participation,” referring to the period where a newborn has yet to identify themselves as an individual and is trying to make sense of the world around them. By prompting the viewer to delve back into such a state through the work’s dynamic interplay of light and shadows heightened with color, Tariq strives to remove the sense of “I” that dominates our collective experience.  

Tariq’s interest in creating art came early in life, she says, inspired by her father. 

“My father is an engineer and also an artist, but it’s more of a hobby for him,” she tells Arab News. As a child she would watch him sketch and paint and wanted to do the same.  

Her work largely focuses on exploring sacred geometry and the spiritual principles that shape nature, resulting in surreal works bridging the realm of digital and traditional art. (Supplied) 

“It was our way to spend time together. As a child I wasn’t especially talkative or social and art became a way for me to communicate with the world, my friends and family,” she explains. 

Tariq studied animation at Effat University in Jeddah, and earned her diploma in visual and digital production, which she describes as being similar to filmmaking, as it has a strong focus on storytelling. 

Since then, her work has largely focused on exploring sacred geometry and the spiritual principles that shape nature, resulting in surreal works bridging the realm of digital and traditional art. 

In 2020 she launched The Golden Ratio, her own media art agency, which has since produced immersive visual experiences for music festivals and concerts alongside DJs and producers across the Gulf region and Europe.  

Her first solo exhibition, “Remembering the Future,” took place at Hafez Gallery in Jeddah in 2021, and was followed by her inclusion in the 2022 exhibition “Re-appearing Imaginaries” at the Misk Art Institute in Riyadh as well as in Noor Riyadh that same year. In 2023, she showed her work at the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival and in 2024 she was part of the Noise Media Art fair in Vienna, Austria.  

Tariq recently completed a stint at the Artist Inn Residency in Ubud, Bali, which prompted her to embrace nature and traditional art forms while also distancing herself a little from the tech that dominates daily life.  

“I feel sometimes I get exhausted from using too much technology and feel like just going back to nature and using my hands. So that’s what I did,” she says. “I learned how to sculpt. And after I took it into the digital world. It was a nice experience to mix both. 

“I feel drawn to the digital realm because it’s fun and you can do so much with it; you can go wild with your imagination,” she continues. “But I also feel more involved with traditional (art). While technology is always being updated — always growing with new things to do and explore — I also love the traditional. I feel, sometimes, the need to strike a balance between both.” 

Through her art, Tariq hopes to offer her viewers an experience of escape, contemplation and possibly a shift in perception. 

“I want to take them to this place where they are calm and are just a baby again, experiencing the world for the first time to make sense of things,” she says of “Memory Recall.” “It’s an experience where color is new, and everything is new. I want to offer this perspective of looking at the world with pure eyes.” 


Saudi-backed ‘Promised Sky’ premieres in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section 

Saudi-backed ‘Promised Sky’ premieres in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section 
Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi-backed ‘Promised Sky’ premieres in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section 

Saudi-backed ‘Promised Sky’ premieres in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section 

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund-backed feature “Promised Sky” premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard section on the event’s second day. 

Directed by Erige Sehiri, the film is among the latest international projects supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation, which champions emerging filmmakers. 

The premiere was attended by Sehiri and lead cast members Deborah Naney, Aissa Maiga and Laetitia Ky, who gathered for the film’s official screening and red carpet appearance.

“Promised Sky” follows the fate of three women, a pastor, a student and an exiled mother, whose delicate cohabitation shifts when they take in little four-year-old Kenza, rescued from a shipwreck. 


Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh
Updated 15 May 2025
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Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

DUBAI: As US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia and departed for Qatar, Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, again wore a creation by Saudi designer Honayda Serafi.

For the occasion, Princess Reema chose a light pink ensemble consisting of a long, flowing dress paired with a structured overcoat. The overcoat featured a soft floral pattern, with delicate embroidery scattered across its surface. The look was completed with a matching light pink headscarf. 

The outfit followed her look from the day before, when she wore a bespoke royal blue abaya by Serafi during Trump’s official welcome in Riyadh. 

The floor-length abaya featured detailed gold embroidery. The symmetrical patterns extended across the bodice and sleeves, while smaller gold motifs were scattered throughout the lower part of the garment. The look was completed with a matching blue headscarf.

Honayda Serafi, founder of Honayda, posted a statement about Princess Reema’s appearance on Instagram, saying: “I am so pleased and deeply proud to see HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar, our remarkable Saudi Ambassador to the United States, standing as a symbol of strength, progress and leadership, as one of the first women to break barriers and champion women’s empowerment. 

“It is a special moment to see her shine as she welcomes President Trump on his historic visit to Riyadh, wearing a bespoke piece by Honayda for this significant occasion. I look forward to sharing more about the inspiration behind this design,” she added. 

Serafi is known for dressing prominent figures in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Celebrities who have worn her designs include Priyanka Chopra, Lupita Nyong’o and Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan.  

She is a favorite of Saudi-born Princess Rajwa and dressed the royal for her henna night festivities in 2023 and for Jordanian King Abdullah II’s silver jubilee celebrations in Amman in 2024.

After leaving Riyadh, Trump is visiting Doha, Qatar, for meetings with Qatari leadership. After this stop, he is scheduled to travel to the UAE, where discussions will continue on economic cooperation, defense partnerships and regional security.


Kaouther Ben Hania and Oscar-winning producers on board to direct film on killing of Palestinian girl

Kaouther Ben Hania and Oscar-winning producers on board to direct film on killing of Palestinian girl
Updated 14 May 2025
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Kaouther Ben Hania and Oscar-winning producers on board to direct film on killing of Palestinian girl

Kaouther Ben Hania and Oscar-winning producers on board to direct film on killing of Palestinian girl
  • Film will dramatize death of Hind Rajab, five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza earlier this year, whose passing captured global headlines

LONDON: Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania will direct a new feature dramatizing the death of Hind Rajab, the five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza last year, a Variety report said on Wednesday.

The project, which is currently untitled, is set to be shot in Tunisia and produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (“Four Daughters”), alongside Oscar-winning producers Odessa Rae (“Navalny”) and James Wilson (“The Zone of Interest”), with backing from Film4.

Hind Rajab’s death became a global symbol of the humanitarian toll of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

She was one of thousands of children killed in the conflict, but her story sparked particular international outrage. In one notable protest, student demonstrators at Columbia University renamed occupied buildings in her honor.

Rajab was fleeing Gaza City with members of her family on Jan. 29, 2024, when their car came under Israeli fire, killing her uncle, aunt and three cousins.

Hind was left trapped in the vehicle for hours, speaking with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society by phone as paramedics attempted to reach her.

On Feb. 10, after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, rescuers found the bodies of Hind, the paramedics and the family still inside the vehicle.

Israel initially denied responsibility, but investigations by The Washington Post, Sky News and the research agency, Forensic Architecture, later concluded that Israeli tanks were in the vicinity and had likely fired at the car.

The same investigations indicated an Israeli tank had also targeted the ambulance sent to rescue her.

Ben Hania, one of the Arab world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, has received multiple Academy Award nominations.

Her 2017 feature, “Beauty and the Dogs,” was Tunisia’s Oscar submission, while “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020) was nominated for best international feature.

Her latest film, “Four Daughters,” was nominated for best documentary feature at the 2024 Oscars.