DUBAI: A year after UAE-based author Hafsa Lodi launched her book, “Modesty: A Fashion Paradox,” at the UAE’s Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the American author has launched a new “online content hub” at this year’s event.
The blog-like website, titled Modestish.com, is a “community for diverse women,” Lodi said in an interview with Arab News.
“It is kind of a way to keep the spirit of my book alive,” she explained.
In “Modesty,” published Feb. 2020, Lodi looked at the causes, controversies, and key players behind the worldwide modest-fashion trend.
“The book was published in the middle of a pandemic and then lockdown happened. I was kind of sad because all of these new things happening in modest fashion — even up until (US-Somali model) Halima Aden quit modeling a few months ago,” Lodi explained.
She added that she launched this website to keep up with the ever-changing “modest movement.”
Modestish.com will also provide photoshoot and video campaign services for brands to make their collections “modest-friendly” for when they are targeting modest-seeking consumers.
Not only did Lodi launch her website on Saturday, but she also held a workshop, titled “Make Your Book Eternal,” at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature — which kicked off on Friday — to share her tips with other well-known and aspiring authors.
In the workshop, aimed at non-fiction writers, Lodi demonstrated how to put together a business plan for a digital space where your ideas can be realized.
“The masterclass is about taking your non-fiction work from a book format to the online eternal web format,” she said.
But does that mean Lodi thinks books can have an expiry date?
“I think concepts explored in a book might become outdated, but the book itself will never become outdated. If you look at history, even if the concept itself becomes outdated, it was still relevant at a particular point of time,” she explained.
To Lodi, the pandemic has helped her find ways to keep her book up to date.
Besides the masterclass, the writer will also join Emirati sportsperson and FIFA coach Houriya Altaheri for a talk session on Feb. 12, called “Fashion, Football and Feminism,” to discuss their careers, recent events, and ongoing trends that have affected women’s prospects.
DUBAI: Is there anything Priyanka Chopra Jonas can’t do? From winning Miss World to acting and singing, the Bollywood star continues to add new career goals to her ever-growing CV. Now, the star has kickstarted her very own brand with the launch of her own hair care line. Named Anomaly, the brand is vegan, eco-friendly and in the affordable price bracket. And she announced the exciting news wearing a look from US-Lebanese label Monot.
This weekend, the 38-year-old took to her Instagram account to officially announce the launch of the brand, writing: “This is ANOMALY. What a surreal moment to introduce you to the first brand I have ever created!!! For the last 18 months I have worked alongside my partners at Maesa toward the day when we could share our labor of love with the world, and I can’t believe that time has finally arrived.”
Mizrahi made his Fall debut in Paris for his ready-to-wear label Monot in 2019 and shot the brand’s first ad campaign, starring Kate Moss, in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla.
Due to the pandemic, the designer opted for a digital lookbook for the Spring season and started focusing on custom creations for his superstar clients.
The label, which is known for its lineup of slinky evening gowns, recently made headlines after British hitmaker Dua Lipa stepped out wearing a black, cut-out dress by Monot.
In fact, the brand has a loyal A-list clientele that includes actress Zendaya and model Cindy Bruna among others.
In the campaign images for her new brand, Chopra Jonas is seen rocking wet hair and wearing a draped white gown that appeared to have been drenched in water.
“How I feel knowing @anomalyhaircare is launching tomorrow,” she captioned one of the images.
The hair care brand is formulated with clean, vegan ingredients packaged inside bottles made out of 100 percent recycled plastic from oceans and landfills.
The products launched on Jan. 31 in the United States and will start entering global markets later this year.
DUBAI: Arab Fashion Week Men’s will wrap up its virtual slate of shows on Saturday, but not before international designers offer up their latest collections — here are the highlights so far.
EMERGENCY ROOM
Launched by Eric Mathieu Ritter in 2018 in Beirut, EMERGENCY ROOM showcased an eclectic collection made entirely in Lebanon.
EGONlab
The Parisian creative label places tailoring at the heart of their creative process, as evidenced by this retro ensemble complete with a statement-making plaid overcoat.
Velsoir
The London-based brand showcased a collection titled “The Archive Therapy” with the aim of rebelling through sharp tailoring as athleisure takes over the fashion world. This moss green blazer is an ode to the brand’s ethos.
Boyfriend the Brand
Graphic T-shirts popped up in the collection, with cut-off sleeves and simple text reading “Sajeen,” which means “Prisoner.”
Anomalous
Rabih Rowell unveiled his latest collection, full of with luxe fabrics, boxy overcoats and silk loungewear.
Zar Douz Basi
Inspired by the flora and fauna of nature, the label’s offerings are unisex and come in a range of bright colors and busy, lively prints — just like this shirt unveiled during Arab Fashion Week Men’s on Thursday.
DUBAI: It’s been an eventful weekend for Saudi-helmed label Ashi Studio, which received a shout out from US actress Kat Graham on Instagram and was donned by Moroccan-Canadian singer Faouzia in her new music video with John Legend.
Known for its celebrity-loved looks — the label has been worn by the likes of Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, British singer Ellie Goulding and Australian icon Kylie Minogue — Mohammed Ashi’s fashion house received the nod of approval from US actress Kat Graham on Instagram on Friday.
“Thank you @Ashistudio for my jammies and congrats on another beautiful collection!” Graham posted on Instagram Stories, alongside a shot of her artfully posed in the label’s chic loungewear. Graham, who starred in supernatural drama series “The Vampire Diaries,” then shared a throwback video of a dress fitting in Paris in 2020 in which she can be seen wearing a voluminous white gown complete with an exaggerated train and an off-the-shoulder neckline by the Saudi designer.
Kat Graham showed off the brand’s loungewear. (Instagram )
The Beirut-based fashion house launched its line of luxury loungewear in 2020, keeping in line with the need for chic but comfortable clothes as much of the world continues to remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collection features fabrics such as pure silk and cashmere that can be worn both indoors and outdoors, and offers fashion lovers coordinating sets as well as long silk robes.
For her part, Graham showed off a cream colored ensemble complete with ribbed cuffs, hems and lapels.
Singer Faouzia showed off a more tailored look by the designer in her latest music video — a duet with US singer John Legend.
The ethereal video for “Minefields” sees the Moroccan-Canadian singer wearing an eye-catching shirt-and-skirt set by Ashi Studio. In the video, the pair perform in an open field, with Legend crooning while playing a piano and Faouzia singing while walking though wheat-colored undergrowth.
“It symbolizes both the emotional and literal challenges that we go through to be with and support those around us,” Faouzia said of the song and video, according to Vogue Arabia. “I hope that viewers will feel hopeful and remember that things will always get better.”
The singer paired the billowing ensemble, with its rouched cuffs and oversized lapels, with romantic hair and pearl drop earrings.
DUBAI: National Geographic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Saudi dairy company Almarai, this week announced the shortlisted entries for the 2020 edition of its photography competition “Moments” — and Saudi photographer Afrah Al-Harby made the cut.
Just 10 images were shortlisted out of more than 27,000 entries. The selection was made by the competition’s judging panel, including two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and National Geographic photographer Mohammad Muheisen and Chief Marketing Officer of Almarai, Hussam Abdulqader.
Held under the theme of “2020 Moments: A Year Lived Differently,” the shortlisted images captured “inspiring moments” of connection with the loved ones. The photographers captured students distance learning and warm yet socially distanced family moments.
Al-Harby, a 22-year-old photographer from Madinah, chose to photograph her 10-year-old sister drawing.
When speaking to Arab News, Al-Harby, who discovered her passion three years ago, said: “I took this picture of my younger sister during quarantine. She discovered her talent during this period. So, in this picture, I wanted to document her talent.”
The moment Al-Harby found out she was among the names shortlisted for the contest she felt proud – “it was a unique moment,” she said.
“I was not expecting I would be selected among the 10 participants shortlisted, but that is all thanks to my older brother, Mohammed, who saw a talent in me and insisted that I participate in this competition,” she said.
The photographer, who enjoys capturing images of nature, also gave credit to her other brother Abdulla, who gifted her a professional camera two years ago.
Al-Harby’s advice to young women like herself is “to be confident.”
The young photographer is not the only Saudi talent to be shortlisted for the prize. Hussein Ali, who took a picture of a family member attending an online class, is also competing for the award.
The grand prize winner of this year’s “Moments,” one of the largest photography competitions across the Middle East and North Africa, will be announced in the coming days. The winner will receive $10,000 worth of professional photography equipment and will have their entry published in National Geographic Alarabiya Magazine.
DUBAI: Dubai-based designer Furne One, founder of Amato Couture, opened up the 2021 Arab Fashion Week, which took place virtually on Thursday.
During the show, the couturier presented his first full men’s collection.
“I can say that this is a new venture for me, and as everyone is aware, my brand specialized in women’s wear, but I am always up for a new challenge,” said One, who is also the creative director.
The dreamlike hues of pastels and beige that bathe the 13-piece Amato Couture’s men’s capsule collection is, according to the brand’s release statement, a representation of men in quest of power and success.
The designer’s new pieces feature materials including linen, crepe and lace matched with bespoke prints and hand-stitched embroideries.
For the show, the designer presented a five-minute film, titled ‘The First Temptation,’ which was directed by filmmaker and visual artist Pradhyumansinh Solanki.
The shoot was set in a remote abandoned desert village, and starred a group of Dubai-based male models.
“Men always crave power, control and success, there is nothing wrong with that. This film is a tale of an army of men chasing for their dreams, they are all willing to do everything to make that dream into reality. I can say that this is a reflection of all of us, as we chase our dreams, we do everything to make that dream happen,” said One.
“The title ‘The First Temptation’ is all about my journey to the men’s line. As this is my first ever full men’s collection, this is my sneak peek to this new world. I am excited to explore more on this genre of fashion and I am also excited to see how far I can go,” he added.
One is a couturier from the Philippines and his dresses are a hit with some of the biggest female celebrities in the world including Shakira, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj.
His big break came when he won a major fashion design competition in 1994 that was judged by famous Filipino-US designer Josie Natori.
“The moment it happened, she took me under her wing and brought me to Paris and New York to work for her as an apprentice because she saw potential in me,” he previously told Arab News.
He won first prize at Japan’s Women Wear Awards that same year and, three years later, stood out as a finalist at Manila’s Fashion Design Awards.
DUBAI: Egyptian-Tunisian actress Hend Sabri and Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy have been named this week Officer and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, respectively.
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is awarded to artists who have contributed to flourishing the arts scene in France and around the world.
The pair were honored by French Ambassador Stephane Romatet in an event that took place in Cairo on Wednesday.
Sabri took to social media to express her gratitude. “Proud to receive the French Order of Arts and Letters from the level of Chevalier to Officer, which I had received in 2014. Thank you to the French government and to His Excellency Ambassador Stephane Romatet,” Sabri wrote, sharing the news to her 2.9 million followers.
Her posts on Instagram and Twitter added: “To my family, my fans and friends, I promise to continue to make you happy. Congratulations to my colleague and friend Mohamed Hefzy.”
Meanwhile, Hefzy also wrote: “Proud day for a new Chevalier. Congrats also to officer @hendsabri very well deserved.”
Sabri, who is a UN goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme, started acting in 1994 in Tunisia. She then moved to Egypt, where she got married and currently lives, to expand her outreach.
With a career that spans over two decades, she has proven to be one the Arab world’s most iconic actresses with a number of successful films and shows under her belt.
Hefzy meanwhile is an award-winning producer credited with over 30 feature films in Egypt, the Arab world, the US and the UK.
He is one of the leading names in his field and his films have been played at international festivals like Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto and more.
DUBAI: For far too long, creators of films and TV shows in the Arab world have had only two realistic options: Either make an arthouse movie that is intended to tour international film festivals (often never actually getting seen by a mainstream audience), or make a traditional melodrama for one of the major TV networks in the region. With very few exceptions, all the many genres lying in between — prestige crime dramas, supernatural thrillers, space westerns and more — have been left to the rest of the world to create. That lack of creative possibility stifled generations of talent, hindering Arab filmmakers from achieving their full potential.
It wasn’t until the arrival of video streaming that the playbook was rewritten, and a new golden age for Arab film and television began. Almost overnight, platforms far and wide became hungry for new content from the Arab world, and — more importantly — eager to take chances on styles and genres that had previously been locked out. In that emerging landscape, there is a need for new voices from across the region to step up with bold ideas.
Daniel Habib is a screenwriter. (Supplied)
It’s been roughly a year since screenwriter Daniel Habib, writer Nasri Atallah, and musician Firas Abou Fakher (best known as a member of the hugely successful Arabic indie band Mashrou’ Leila), three friends from Lebanon, joined forces as Last Floor Productions to answer that call. They had long lamented the region’s lack of the kind of film and television they liked to watch. So eventually they decided to step up and try to make it themselves. Now, with two series under their belt at MBC Shahid — “The Fixer” and “Al Shak” (The Doubt) — and many more on the way, Last Floor looks set to become one of the new era’s biggest success stories.
“I think you need a very healthy amount of delusion and self-confidence,” Habib tells Arab News. “How do you know you're that guy? Nobody knows. You're going to try to be that guy. At the end of the day, none of us are young men. We’ve all tried and failed before. We could have failed here. The minute we didn't fail, it was like, ‘Huh. OK, so we're good. Let's do it another time.’”
Firas Abou Fakher is a musician. (Supplied)
“We want people to watch our shows, and to want to tell their friends and their families about them. We want accessible things. And it's hard to find that, as there wasn't much space for it. Now, suddenly, there are small cracks,” says Abou Fakher.
The first project that the trio created together was “Al Shak,” a murder mystery that was conceived, commissioned and produced in only six weeks, entirely during lockdown at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in May and June last year. It was co-written and co-directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker and actress Fatima Al-Banawi (who was most recently seen in Netflix’s “Paranormal” and also stars in “Al Shak”) and a host of burgeoning talent from across the region. It was an experience the three will never repeat.
Nasri Atallah is a writer. (Supplied)
“It almost destroyed us. It's not how filmmaking is supposed to be done in any way, shape, or form,” says Habib. “The minute we succeeded with that we were like, ‘Let's never do that again. Let's never do that.’”
“I remember saying at the end of that, ‘Nothing's going to be harder than what we just did,’” says Atallah. “We started in, like, the worst possible situation. It was baptism by fire. Ironically, it gave us the confidence that actually everything from here on is going to be fun, and we should enjoy it.”
In 2020, however, that was easier said than done. As the trio embarked on their next project “The Fixer” — an action-comedy that is based around a character modelled loosely on Harvey Keitel’s clean-up man The Wolf from Quentin Tarantino’s classic crime caper “Pulp Fiction” in a format reminiscent of HBO’s anthology comedy-drama “High Maintenance” — tragedy struck Beirut. The devastating port explosion of August 4 happened just as production was about to begin. After some initial doubt over whether they could continue, the cast and crew decided to rally around the project, using that collaboration to help heal their trauma together, and create something they could all be proud of.
“The Fixer” is on MBC Shahid. (Supplied)
“The show is a love letter to Beirut. Everyone was very adamant that it should happen. After a pandemic and explosion, the show finally came together, and it felt very special. Honestly, when we wrapped filming, it was a different kind of emotion because of everything that (the show) had to go through to actually exist,” says Atallah.
That spirit of camaraderie built around making a unique project that was produced using novel techniques behind the scenes is, more than anything else, what the three plan to use as their model moving forward. Last Floor has a number of projects currently in development, each being made in collaboration with talent from across the region as well as Arab creatives from across the world, all working within the kind of free environment that allows that talent to thrive.
“Everybody's running for ideas, and we're in the thick of it. That's why it's more exciting than daunting to me. If everybody were 10 steps ahead of us, I would be more scared, but everybody's in the same spot,” says Habib. “I feel like everybody's trying to figure it out. And everybody is still learning — even the biggest platforms. So let's all figure it out together.”
