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Saudi talent shines at Riyadh Fashion Week

Saudi talent shines at Riyadh Fashion Week
Abadia presented a collection that explored soft volume and refined layering. (Instagram)
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Saudi talent shines at Riyadh Fashion Week

Saudi talent shines at Riyadh Fashion Week

DUBAI: Riyadh Fashion Week continued with a full schedule of runway shows wowing audiences across the city.

The second day highlighted presentations by Saudi brands Leem, Rebirth, Amen, Waad Aloqaili, Ashwaq Al-Mashrhad and Abadia, each bringing distinct interpretations of contemporary design rooted in craftsmanship and cultural identity.

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Leem opened the day with a collection centered on fluid, modest silhouettes in a palette of deep tones such as burgundy, brown and black. The looks featured long dresses, skirts, jackets, tailored pants and blazers. A few dark gradient pieces added depth, while ivory ensembles offered contrast.

Rebirth followed with a bohemian-inspired collection showcasing dresses, skirts, tailored trousers and draped gowns. Fringe detailing appeared throughout, adding texture and motion to the clean silhouettes. Asymmetrical cuts and layered elements introduced variation, while the color scheme drew from soft, earthy hues — sand, taupe, olive and rust — complemented by ivory and chocolate tones.

Meanwhile, Amen unveiled a lineup that featured draped gowns, asymmetric dresses and flowing blouses that were crafted from silk and chiffon, while the brand’s signature crescent motif — derived from its logo — appeared as embroidery or beadwork across several designs. The palette shifted between jewel and pastel tones, including violet, royal blue, mint, ivory and blush.

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Waad Aloqaili presented a couture collection defined by sculpted gowns and flowing capes adorned with layered beadwork and embroidery in shades of lilac, ivory and champagne. Sequins and crystals were arranged in shell-like patterns, highlighting symmetry and texture across the pieces.

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Ashwaq Al-Mashrhad showcased designs emphasizing volume and contrast, featuring floor-length gowns, capes and tailored separates in soft neutrals, pastels and darker hues. Fabrics such as velvet, satin and embellished tulle appeared throughout, with floral detailing and layered structures contributing to the collection’s visual depth.

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Closing the day, Abadia presented a collection that explored soft volume and refined layering. Wide trousers were paired with long coats, tunics and draped blouses in tones of brown, cream and gold, balanced by muted pastels and deep burgundy shades. Silk, velvet and wool were shaped into relaxed silhouettes that merged traditional influences with modern tailoring.

This year’s event also features two global fashion houses. Vivienne Westwood opened the event with a debut show in ÂÜÀòÊÓÆµ, while Stella McCartney is set to close the week with her first presentation in the Kingdom.


We Design Beirut highlights Lebanon’s historic locations, creative talent

We Design Beirut highlights Lebanon’s historic locations, creative talent
Updated 18 October 2025

We Design Beirut highlights Lebanon’s historic locations, creative talent

We Design Beirut highlights Lebanon’s historic locations, creative talent
  • Showcases city’s stories, say Mariana Wehbe, Samer Alameen
  • Key themes at event are love, identity, memory and belonging

DUBAI: Set to run from Oct. 22 to 26, We Design Beirut is a products, interiors and furniture fair that bucks convention due to its staging in several of the capital’s key historical buildings.

While design fairs around the world usually stage showcases in one location, often a convention hall devoid of any real character, founder and CEO Mariana Wehbe and partner and creative director Samer Alameen were keen to highlight historic buildings in Beirut.

“There were spaces and places that have been forgotten ... whether the history, the archaeology, the stories they hold,†Wehbe said recently.

We Design Beirut is set to run from Oct. 22 to 26. (Supplied)

“So it’s more a story about Beirut and it’s more cultural than commercial,†Alameen added.

Exhibition locations include Villa Audi, Beirut’s Roman Baths, Burj El-Murr, an unfinished skyscraper turned war relic, and Abroyan Factory, an abandoned textile facility.

“This isn’t just a design week … this has become a way of talking about our country, protesting in our own (way),†Wehbe said, reflecting the desire to unite Lebanese communities after years of divisive politics.

We Design Beirut is a products, interiors and furniture fair. (Supplied)

“And you know, some people fight with weapons and some people fight with politics and some people fight with creativity and with bringing communities together in the hardest and most difficult times,†she added.

Comprised of exhibitions, excursions and workshops, the event seeks to shed light on both established and emerging designers, artisans and students from nine universities in Lebanon.

“We’re losing the artisans because it’s impossible to find an artisan under the age of 50,†Alameen explained.

“Because they’re no longer teaching their kids. They’re not making money, And this is the massive problem … That’s why we created the platform,†Alameen said.

The diverse exhibitions include “Totems of the Present & the Absent,†that features work by emerging and established designers from Lebanon and beyond, exploring presence, memory, and legacy.

Meanwhile, hosted in the Roman Baths, a marble design exhibition “Of Water and Stone†reinterprets the ancient site’s rituals of cleansing.

The student-led “Design in Conflict†exhibition sees young creatives explore how strife shapes spaces, while “Rising with Purpose†calls on Lebanese talents under 30 to create thoughtful, relevant objects that address societal, cultural, and environmental needs.

“There is an intensity in this country that drives you … so this grace, this buzz, this energy, and there’s a love for our country that is really, I think, is almost unique to Lebanon,†Alameen said.


John Achkar to perform first Arabic-language stand-up at Paris’ ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹

John Achkar to perform first Arabic-language stand-up at Paris’ ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹
Updated 18 October 2025

John Achkar to perform first Arabic-language stand-up at Paris’ ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹

John Achkar to perform first Arabic-language stand-up at Paris’ ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹
  • Lebanon star’s show is titled ‘TRYIN’ (AAM JARRIB)
  • Arab stories ‘belong on the biggest stages,’ he says

DUBAI: Lebanese comedian John Achkar will make history on Oct. 23 with the first-ever Arabic-language stand-up comedy performance at the ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹ theater in Paris.

The special, titled “TRYIN’ (AAM JARRIB),†is produced by Front Row Filmed Entertainment.

Often described as the cathedral of French live entertainment, ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹ has hosted top international comedy figures including Chris Rock, Gad Elmaleh and Eddie Izzard.

The special follows Achkar’s 75-city global tour, which included stops in Beirut, Riyadh, Dubai, Cairo, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Geneva, Berlin and Sydney.

His performance will reportedly touch on themes of identity, family, and belonging across the Arab world and its diaspora, using humor to highlight everyday experiences and connect audiences from different backgrounds.

“Contrary to Western belief, the Middle East isn’t one audience. It’s a mosaic of countries, cultures, and dialects that rarely laugh at the same thing,†said Gianluca Chakra, CEO of Front Row Filmed Entertainment.

“John managed to crack that space without ever diluting his voice. He’s toured more than 75 cities, filled every room, and found the universal pulse that unites Arabs everywhere through pure, honest comedy.â€

Achkar said: “For me, stepping on the stage at ³¢â€™O±ô²â³¾±è¾±²¹ is about proving that Arab comedy deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.

“Our stories, our struggles, and our laughter belong on the biggest stages, because humor is a language that everyone understands.â€


Review: Scitech —25 years of inspiring curiosity by the sea

Review: Scitech —25 years of inspiring curiosity by the sea
Updated 18 October 2025

Review: Scitech —25 years of inspiring curiosity by the sea

Review: Scitech —25 years of inspiring curiosity by the sea
  • The center is full of wonder; if you are planning a visit, call ahead to ensure the event you want to see is still on as online details are only updated occasionally

AL-KHOBAR: You will know when you see it — that large, sandy-hued cluster of buildings, a stone’s throw from the Alkhobar Corniche, is the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Science and Technology Center.

Or, as it is better known, Scitech — a beacon of knowledge and creativity in the Eastern Province.

A quarter of a century after opening its doors, Scitech is open every day and remains a hub where science, storytelling, curiosity and culture come together by the sea.

The idea began in 2000 under a directive from the late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who envisioned it as a public space that would bring science to life. In 2006, it came under the administration of the nearby King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, strengthening its educational foundation and research partnerships.

For many who grew up in the region, Scitech is more than a landmark — it is part of their childhood.

It covers more than 14,000 sq. meters, housing several exhibition halls with interactive displays, a state-of-the-art scientific dome and an astronomical observatory. It attracts students, families and tourists eager to explore science in motion.

In 2022, the center’s administration moved to the Sharqia Development Authority, reflecting its growing role in regional development and cultural outreach. This expanded its programming to include art, sustainability and heritage-focused initiatives, alongside traditional STEM offerings.

Most recently, Scitech hosted a multi-day immersive event in honor of The Year of Handicrafts, part of the Ministry of Culture’s nationwide celebration, which combined interactive exhibits with live craft demonstrations and hands-on activities.

The center is full of wonder; if you are planning a visit, call ahead to ensure the event you want to see is still on as online details are only updated occasionally.

 


Vivienne Westwood show opens third Riyadh Fashion Week

Vivienne Westwood show opens third Riyadh Fashion Week
Updated 17 October 2025

Vivienne Westwood show opens third Riyadh Fashion Week

Vivienne Westwood show opens third Riyadh Fashion Week

RIYADH: The third edition of Riyadh Fashion Week opened on Thursday with a full day of events and runway shows at venues across the capital.

An ensemble from Vivienne Westwood’s show in Riyadh. (Instagram)

The day began with an intimate Vivienne Westwood panel discussion at Fashion Commission Riyadh, focused on the brand’s legacy of design, environmental advocacy and craftsmanship.

Designs from Vivienne Westwood's show. (Instagram)

Later, an evening runway show at The Palm Grove blended British design with Saudi craftsmanship. The collection included embroidered couture gowns created in collaboration with Art of Heritage, a Saudi organization dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship, alongside selected looks from the house’s Spring/Summer 2026 and archival collections.

An ensemble from Vivienne Westwood’s show in Riyadh. (Instagram)

The collection included voluminous ball gowns crafted from silk and satin in shades of lilac, emerald and silver, embroidered with gold threadwork inspired by traditional Saudi craftsmanship.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Metallic brocades and tulle fabrics were used throughout the collection, alongside fitted corsets and draped bodices inspired by historical tailoring.

An ensemble from Vivienne Westwood’s show in Riyadh. (Instagram)

Contrasting these evening looks, sharply cut suits appeared in pinstripe, plaid and solid tones, rendered in wool and cotton blends.

Looks included crisp white double-breasted jackets, high-collared shirts and oversized lapels.

A gown by Tima Abid. (Supplied)

Accessories included sculptural chandelier earrings, metallic handbags and pointed heels. Some looks incorporated belts and veils, while embroidered detailing and exaggerated shoulders reinforced the house’s craftsmanship.

A gown by Adnan Akbar. (Supplied)

Other runway shows took place at Bedrock featuring presentations by Saudi designers Tima Abid, Adnan Akbar and Atelier Hekayat. Each highlighted Saudi couture through detailed embellishments, refined tailoring and contemporary silhouettes.

A design by Atelier Hekayat. (Supplied)

 


Cardi B to headline Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh

Cardi B to headline Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh
Updated 17 October 2025

Cardi B to headline Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh

Cardi B to headline Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh
  • Rap superstar likely to perform songs from latest 23-track album

DUBAI: US rap superstar Cardi B has been confirmed for Soundstorm 2025, the highly anticipated music festival returning to Riyadh this December.

The Grammy-winning artist will perform alongside stars including Lil Yachty, Miguel, Pitbull, Swedish House Mafia, Tyla, Young Thug, Ava Max, Black Coffee and Halsey, with additional acts expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The news follows the release last month of her long-awaited sophomore album “Am I the Drama?â€

Fans are anticipating performances from her latest 23-track album, which features collaborations with Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Cash Cobain, Kehlani, Summer Walker and Tyla.