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RIYADH: The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. This art, passed down through generations, continues to thrive as artisans blend rich cultural heritage with creativity at the Buraidah Dates Carnival.

Craftswoman Umm Abdullah demonstrated the intricate process of palm wicker weaving, beginning with soaking and drying the fronds before skillfully crafting them into a range of products, including baskets, mats, and dining mats.

She explained that the abundance of palm trees in Qassim has made the craft a vital source of income for families working in the cottage industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Umm Abdullah said that palm frond collectibles are in high demand due to their cultural significance and cherished connection to heritage.

The palm wicker industry dates back to ancient times, originally serving essential household needs. Over time, development and innovation have diversified its products and designs, solidifying its position as an authentic craft.

DUBAI: Part-Middle Eastern actress Yara Shahidi is the face of Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest “Divine” campaign for the luxury brand’s new elixir.

 The French brand released its Divine eau de parfum as an elixir — a type of concentrated perfume — this week, with Shahidi starring in the campaign alongside model Raphael Diogo.

Crafted by perfumer Quentin Bisch, the scent has floral and marine notes and was first released as an eau de parfum in 2023.

The fragrance is vegan, cruelty free and made with 90 percent “natural origin ingredients responsibly sourced,” according to the label.  

In a new set of images and clips shared on social media, Shahidi can be seen posing in a gold-hued sequinned gown while clutching the new product. The actress also showed off a velvet black top edged with gold baubles in another image.

In the original 2023 campaign, Shahidi appeared alongside Spanish actress Lola Rodriquez, South African catwalk star Thando Hopa, US actress and model Tess McMillan, Lagos-born model Janet Jumbo and Brazilian runway model Ana Elisa de Brito.  

The “Grown-ish” star was also included in the casting decisions and creative aspects of the launch, which aimed to celebrate women. 

“Actress, model, activist, social justice advocate and feminist, she was one of Time Magazines’ Most Influential Teens of 2016. Harvard graduate and creator of Eighteen x 18, a platform to encourage young US people to vote, Yara Shahidi has many different faces,” the brand wrote in a statement at the time.

The collaboration came after Shahidi was spotted wearing a custom-made, bronzed look by Jean Paul Gaultier at the 2023 Met Gala.

 Shahidi is also a global ambassador for the Dior’s fashion and beauty lines and was named among National Geographic’s list of 33 “visionaries, creators, icons, and adventurers” from across the globe earlier this year.

Part-Middle Eastern star Shahidi, whose father is Iranian, was named on the list in the “Creators” subsection that celebrates “out-of-the-box thinkers developing innovative solutions.”

The “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish” actress was highlighted due to her podcast “The Optimist Project.”

Shahidi, 25, launched the podcast to explore how to live a more fulfilling life with various special guests hosted on each episode.

Shahidi, a Harvard graduate, says she was inspired by the dynamic conversations she has with members of her diverse family.