NEW YORK: Artist makes NY fashion week debut... on a busturns fashion hub of the world for a week starting Thursday, as top designers do battle for the hearts and minds of millennials in a social-media whirlwind of models and celebrities.
US designer Tom Ford — fresh back from a stint in Paris — will open the extravaganza that is New York’s Spring/Summer Fashion Week on Wednesday evening.
Among the most hotly anticipated collections is Raf Simons’ second line for Calvin Klein, after an avant-garde show designed along with American artist Sterling Ruby last February.
Considered one of the most talented designers of his generation, the 49-year-old Belgian joined Calvin Klein from Dior in 2016, embarking on a mission to overhaul the iconic New York brand, redesigning its logo and transforming its Madison Avenue flagship store.
Simons will be rubbing shoulders with some of the great names of American fashion, from Ralph Lauren to Marc Jacobs, as well as newcomers Matthew Adams Dolan or Snow Xue Georgia
But New York Fashion Week is still smarting from the loss of a string of designers who have taken their collections to Paris or Los Angeles.
Among the departees are Proenza Schouler and Joseph Altuzarra, who joined the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Rodarte in leaving New York.
“When a big name like Altuzarra announces he is leaving, it weakens New York as a creative hub a little more each time,” said Rene Celestin, founder of fashion show production group Obo.
He believes that while the fraught US political climate “does not help,” there are many reasons behind New York’s waning popularity — and none which cannot be solved.
Imran Amed, founder and editor-in-chief of London-based website Business of Fashion, has watched fellow fashion capitals London and Milan bounce back from their own low spells as part of what he calls a natural cycle.
“I don’t necessarily see it as part of a negative trend in New York. I just think it is a time of change,” Amed said, in a sector shaken up by new technology, changing customer behavior, and an evolving fashion cycle.
“All of the executives are focused on something we are calling the generation gap, which is the millennial and new consumers which are going to account for about 45 percent of the luxury goods industry by 2025.”
These younger generations, he says, expect a different kind of relationship with the brands they engage with, he added — a trend evident in the recent collaboration between Coach and singer Selena Gomez, or Burberry’s campaign featuring Chinese pop star Kris Wu.
In another trend to watch in New York, more and more designers are embracing plus-size models, perhaps the most famous of whom — size 16 Ashley Graham — hit the catwalk for Michael Kors in February.
Graham, a star in her own right with five million Instagram followers, will be in the New York spotlight both on the podiums and as a guest at several galas, including the Fashion Media Awards — where reality star-turned-model Kendall Jenner is to be named “fashion icon of the decade.”
Critics have suggested the 21-year-old half-sister of Kim Kardashian is undeserving of the accolade — but there is little doubt she can generate that all-important social media buzz.
Also expected to cause a stir is Rihanna, whose Fenty collection, in collaboration with Puma, will be showcased on Sunday.
And Jenner’s brother-in-law Kanye West will no doubt spark a reaction with his sixth collection for his fashion brand Yeezy — a show which has so far been shrouded in mystery.
New York fashion kicks off with millennials on the mind
New York fashion kicks off with millennials on the mind
Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi dresses stars at the Golden Globes
DUBAI: Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi dressed three stars at Sunday night’s Golden Globes in Hollywood, with Mindy Kaling, Kristen Bell and Ari Graynor showing off looks by the Paris-based designer.
Kaling showed off a gold column gown from Ashi Studio, hailing from the label’s Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection.
The first designer from the Gulf to take part in Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, Ashi also dressed Graynor in a risque look complete with cutouts across the bodice. The all-black gown was plucked from his label’s Fall/Winter 2023 couture collection.
For her part, nominee Bell shimmered in a gold, beaded Ashi Studio gown that boasted a peplum and rounded neckline.
With some of Hollywood's most fashion-forward stars up for awards this year, it's going to be an eventful season. The Golden Globes gets it all started, with stars — and their stylists — marking their territory at one of Hollywood's splashiest events, the Associated Press reported.
“Wicked” star Ariana Grande showed off a pale yellow Givenchy haute couture look. The gown was in crafted in silk with a hand-beaded bodice — a vintage 1966 gown from what the designer calls the Audrey Hepburn era of Givenchy.
Cate Blanchett looked like an awards statue come to life in a glistening gold gown with a ruched top by Louis Vuitton — one that she also wore at the Cannes Film Festival. New gold stones were added to the gown, designed by Nicholas Ghesquière, to freshen the look.
Where Blanchett glistened in gold, Nicole Kidman sparkled in silver, in a daring, one-shoulder backless Balenciaga gown. The “Babygirl” star polished off the look with a chic, voluminous half-ponytail.
Globes host Nikki Glaser zeroed right in on Timothee Chalamet, one of the hottest stars in Hollywood, in her monologue, telling him: “You have the most gorgeous eyelashes on your upper lip.” As for the clothes on his body, Chalamet went more traditional than other recent trips to the carpet, wearing a sleek Tom Ford black suit with embellished jacket, a white shirt and a blue scarf tossed around his neck (or was it a tie?).
Always a winner on the red carpet, actress Zendaya provided yet another high fashion moment at the Golden Globes in a custom Louis Vuitton ballgown paired with Bulgari jewelry.
Georgina Rodriguez steals the spotlight at Dubai event
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez made a head-turning appearance this week at the Globe Soccer Dubai Awards 2024, held as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference 2024.
She attended the event alongside her longtime partner, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was honored with two awards: Best Middle East Player 2024 and All-Time Top Goal Scorer.
Rodriguez turned heads in a fitted black dress featuring a sweetheart neckline and lace-detailed sleeves. She completed her look with black pointed-toe heels and carried a matching black purse.
The couple was joined by Ronaldo’s eldest son, Cristiano Jr., making it a family affair at one of the year’s most celebrated sports events.
Upon accepting the award, Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr FC, expressed his gratitude on stage, saying: “For me, it is a big pleasure to win this trophy. It is very different than the other ones. It is a pleasure to be in this gala. (There are) a lot of champions here, young generations and old generations.”
He continued: “I have to say thank you to my own family, my kids. They are all here in Dubai. My oldest son is there. My wife is here. She’s my lovely support all the time to carry on to play. In one month I’m gonna be 40 years old but I’m not finished yet. I will continue because I want to win titles, I want to be a champion.”
After the event, Ronaldo shared pictures with his 646 million Instagram followers, captioning the post: “A great way to end the year. Thank you to my teammates, staff, to everyone who has supported me along the way, and especially to my family. There is still more to come.”
The couple were later spotted at Nobu Dubai in Atlantis the Palm, where there was also Brazilian football player Neymar and former Italian footballer Alessandro Del Piero.
Rodriguez and Ronaldo traveled to Dubai following their family vacation in Lapland, Finland, where they celebrated the festive season.
The couple shared glimpses of their activities on Instagram, including an in-house dinner with their children, sledding adventures, ice baths and more, giving fans a peek into their holiday moments.
Mytheresa CEO on personalization, culture, Saudi Arabia’s luxury boom
DUBAI: As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global centre for luxury, the Kingdom’s burgeoning fashion market is capturing the attention of high-end retailers worldwide.
Mytheresa, one of the leading luxury e-commerce platforms, is at the forefront of this shift, catering to a growing and increasingly discerning Saudi clientele.
Michael Kliger, CEO of Mytheresa, revealed how the brand is evolving alongside the Kingdom’s dynamic landscape, with a focus on personalization and cultural connection.
“We’re witnessing incredible changes in the Saudi market,” Kliger said. “More Saudis are staying in the region, with some even moving back permanently, which has created a significant increase in local demand for luxury fashion.
“Events like weddings and receptions have always been important here, but now, with cinemas and fine dining experiences becoming more common, there are even more occasions for people to dress up.”
While Mytheresa does not yet have a physical presence in Saudi Arabia, its strategy focuses on creating meaningful connections with local clients.
“We host a variety of events to engage directly with our Saudi customers,” Kliger said. “Recently, we had a dinner at Hia Hub in Riyadh with the designers of Oscar de la Renta, and in Jeddah, one of our clients hosted 100 of her friends for us at a hotel. These gatherings, along with style suites where customers can try curated collections, allow us to bring the Mytheresa experience to them in a personal and exclusive way.”
Additionally, the e-tailer frequently collaborates with local creatives to create authentic connections with their customers. Kliger said that understanding the timing of local events and traditions, such as Ramadan and other festive gatherings, is essential. He highlighted the importance of working with local influencers and ambassadors to ensure the brand’s messaging feels genuine and accessible, making it easier for Saudi customers to engage with Mytheresa.
Personalization too, is at the heart of Mytheresa’s approach. “It’s not about catering to a ‘Saudi style,’ but understanding each individual client,” Kliger said. “For example, one of our clients in Riyadh loves Yamamoto and Sacai. It’s about identifying those preferences and curating options that resonate with their personal taste. That’s what makes our service unique.”
Kliger also touched on the recent acquisition of Net-a-Porter by Mytheresa and its implications for the Saudi market.
“Net-a-Porter complements what we do at Mytheresa,” he said. “They’re strong in discovery and editorial, while we focus on highly curated, established luxury brands. Together, we can cater to different corners of the luxury market without diluting our individual strengths.”
As Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy population drives the growth of e-commerce, Kliger emphasized the importance of adapting to the Kingdom’s digital preferences. “Social media usage here is unique, with platforms like TikTok and Snapchat playing a major role in how people interact and shop. Understanding these behaviors is key to connecting with this market,” he said.
With a focus on personalization, community engagement, and digital strategy, Mytheresa is poised to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia’s thriving luxury landscape. “The Saudi market is one of the most dynamic regions for us,” Kliger said.
Amina Muaddi celebrates festive milestone ahead of Beyonce show
DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian shoe designer Amina Muaddi celebrated a major fashion moment this week, taking to Instagram to share her excitement over Beyonce wearing her custom Yigit pumps in a teaser for the star’s NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show on Netflix.
Muaddi shared the video on her Instagram Stories. In the clip, the music icon can be seen wearing the satin heels in black and adorned with studs.
In the clip that Beyonce also shared on her Instagram account, the music sensation was seen holding a banjo, a stringed instrument often linked to folk, country, and bluegrass music. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat paired with sleek sunglasses, a colorful patterned cape featuring red and blue hues, and a rhinestone-adorned top. The outfit was completed with black gloves and a black skirt.
“I’m sending you big joy and love on this cowboy Christmas Eve. I’ll see y’all tomorrow, in my city HTX,” Beyonce wrote to her 313 million followers, referring to Houstan, Texas.
In another teaser posted last week, the singer also chose Amina Muaddi heels — the Begum glass pumps.
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer will headline the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game’s halftime show on Dec. 25, after the Kansas City Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers will play earlier in the day. Both games will feature a special pre-game performance of “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey.
Beyonce seems to be a fan of part-Arab designer Muaddi. During the singer’s Renaissance World Tour last year, she was spotted in Muaddi’s creations on stage on a number of occasions.
“I’m so happy to be part of this queen’s historic tour. Every time I see her on stage I’m in complete awe of her — the ultimate supernova. Grateful to @beyonce and her team of incredible creatives for these @aminamuaddiofficial moments on stage,” Muaddi wrote on Instagram at the time.
Muaddi launched her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, approximately one year after departing from her role as co-founder and creative director of luxury footwear label Oscar Tiye.
The shoemaker’s eponymous label’s distinct pumps, sling-backs, mules, boots and sandals in an array of vibrant colors and holographic designs have since garnered a loyal checklist of famous fans, including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber Baldwin.
Sofia Carson flaunts Lebanese labels at New York performance with Andrea Bocelli
DUBAI: Singer and actress Sofia Carson continued her love affair with powerhouse Lebanese designers at two shows in New York this week, after showing off looks by Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad at promotional events on numerous occasions this year.
Carson performed at New York’s Madison Square Garden alongside legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli this weekend in a scarlet gown from Elie Saab’s Autum/ Winter Couture 2022 line. One day later, she hit the stage for part two of the event in a black, off-the-shoulder taffeta dress from Zuhair Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-Fall 2024 collection.
“As I stepped off stage, my mom, my dream maker, held my hand and asked me what I felt. . . I said ‘I feel elated,’” Carson captioned a carousel of behind-the-scenes shots on Instagram, in which she is wearing Murad’s creation.
In October, the singer and “Purple Hearts” actress was spotted in New York in a caped Elie Saab couture look from the maison’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, while earlier that month she hit the red carpet in Rome in another gown by the designer.
Carson showed off a sea green gown from Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter 2023 couture collection at the “Andrea Bocelli 30 - The Celebration” premiere in Rome.
The A-symmetrical neckline and sweeping ballgown skirt brought a dose of glamor to the red carpet, with Carson opting for a sleek up-do and diamond-and-emerald earrings.
“Honored to have been by your side as we premiered your film,” the actress posted on Instagram alongside a photo in which she is seen posing with Bocelli.
The film chronicles Bocelli's three-day July concert event in Italy honoring his 30th anniversary in the music industry.
Rewind to May and Carson was seen in the French Riviera as she walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in yet another look by Saab. The star opted for an olive-toned ensemble from the designer’s Spring/ Summer 2024 couture collection.
Carson is something of a fan of Lebanon’s couturiers — in 2022 the actress attended the Global Citizen Festival in New York a coordinating look from Zuhair Murad’s Resort 2023 collection, while in late 2023, the actress cut an elegant figure in a Zuhair Murad gown at the second annual Cam for a Cause event in memory of her former co-star Cameron Boyce.
