DUBAI: Lebanese model and TV presenter Annabella Hilal offered an unexpected boost to the online profile of Beirut-based “concept store” One Melrose on Saturday.
Hilal, a former Miss Lebanon and Miss World contestant, posted on Instagram an image of herself at MTV Lebanon’s HQ in Beirut dressed in stunning blue-grey Herve Legere bandage dress from One Melrose which garnered over 20,000 ‘Likes’ within 24 hours.
Hilal, 31, is the host of MTV Lebanon’s “Celebrity Duets,” which finished its second season last month, with Lebanese actress Maguy Bou Ghosn claiming first place.
Hilal got her big TV break at LBC, as the anchor and presenter on two shows: “Mission Fashion” and “Helwe w Murra,” before moving on to host the wildly popular talent show “Arab Idol” alongside Ahmed Fahmi on rival network MBC.
But Hilal’s talents go far beyond television. She holds a masters in law and has reportedly said that her ambition is to become a judge.
Hilal is also, according to MTV Lebanon’s website, an “emeritus lecturer in the field of Human Rights” and has given a number of talks both at home and internationally.
With over 1.8 million followers on Instagram, Hilal is one of the Arab world’s most popular TV presenters and leading social-media influencers, and her post in praise of shopping local will undoubtedly raise the profile of One Melrose — which currently has just over 5,500 Instagram followers.
Annabella Hilal boosts Beirut boutique’s profile
Annabella Hilal boosts Beirut boutique’s profile
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.
Georgina Rodriguez visits Dior exhibition in Riyadh
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez visited an exhibition celebrating the life and work of fashion designer Christian Dior at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh this weekend.
The Riyadh-based model, who is the long-term partner of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, took to Instagram to share insights about the exhibit, which is running as part of this year’s Riyadh Season.
“Highly recommend to immerse yourself in the ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition in Riyadh. A magical journey through the history of haute couture, showcasing the works of art by visionary designers for 75 years (sic),” Rodriguez captioned a short clip on Instagram.
“Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” is a collaboration between the French fashion house and Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
The event, which runs until April 2, explores the legacy of Dior and his successors through a fresh narrative specially curated for the show by art historian Florence Muller and scenographer Nathalie Criniere.
Highlights include tributes to some of Dior’s classic designs, such as Miss Dior and J’adore, and an homage to the Lady Dior bag in the form of the Dior Lady Art project.
British milliner Stephen Jones, one of Dior’s master creators, was heavily involved in the creation of the exhibition.
“When we were installing the hats, some of the looks I remembered, some I didn't. But many have never been shown before, so it sometimes feels like I’m seeing them for the first time,” Jones told Arab News earlier this month.
Bella Hadid promotes Orebella for festive season
DUBAI: US Palestinian Dutch supermodel Bella Hadid took to Instagram to thank her team and customers for the success of her fragrance label Orebella's festive Alchemy Library pop-up in New York City.
“The best night at our @orebella Alchemy Library pop-up in NYC! So much love and gratitude to my team & the beautiful humans who showed up to transform @thenednomad into such a warm & intimate space to celebrate the holidays, each other and my favorite sets to date: Our holiday gift boxes,” she wrote on Instagram, along with a carousel of photos from the pop-up.
In a bid to look the part, Hadid traded in her cowboy Western aesthetic to adopt a more festive look and was photographed outside the pop-up in a red and white ensemble.
The retro look featured a two-toned red cardigan, straight leg blue jeans and a luxe white wool coat. Hadid glammed up the look with strappy red Valentino Garavani Ladycrush heels and statement gold earrings.
The model finished the look with her favorite choice of eyewear, a pair of Bayonetta glasses.
The alcohol-free scents of Orebella, which launched on May 2 this year, were Hadid’s answer to traditional perfumes.
Hadid wrote on her website: “For me, fragrance has always been at the center of my life — helping me feel in charge of who I am and my surroundings,” she said. “From my home to nostalgic memories, to my own energy and connection with others, scent has been an outlet for me. It made me feel safe in my own world.
“Through my healing journey, I found that I was extremely sensitive to the alcohol in traditional perfumes — both physically and mentally — it became something that was more overwhelming than calming to me,” she added. “That is the main reason I wanted to find an alternative, so essential oils became an artistic and experimental process for me.”
She started growing lavender on her farm, walking through the garden every morning and learning about her family’s tradition of making homemade scents. “I realized I might have a calling in this. I found healing, joy and love within nature’s scents,” she said.
“This is why I am so proud of Orebella. It was truly a dream and a passion, that through the universe and authentic dedication, was able to become this brand,” Hadid wrote.
Saudi designer Honayda Serafi shares holiday greeting card from Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa
DUBAI: Saudi designer Honayda Serafi has revealed a holiday greeting card from Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein, which features a family photo of the royal couple and their newborn daughter, Princess Iman.
“Immensely thankful for God’s many blessings. From our small family that has grown to yours, best wishes for a blessed New Year,” the card reads.
Last year, Serafi designed Saudi-born Princess Rajwa’s pre-wedding henna night gown. For the gown, Serafi took inspiration from the Al-Shaby thobe of the Najd region in Saudi Arabia, where Princess Rajwa’s family is from.
“The thobe is known for its long sleeves. They’re so long, the sleeves become the veil of the bride’s dress,” said Serafi of the ethereal white gown.
Earlier this month, the couple visited the Seeds of Hope Center in Amman, which specializes in treating speech and language disorders in children and adults.
The royal couple, who welcomed their first child this year, toured the facility, which houses Jordan’s only space designed to provide multi-sensory experiences aimed at promoting relaxation and sensory integration. The visit also included a look at the center’s gym, which is tailored to improve therapy outcomes for patients, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Aya Al-Jazi, the center’s director, briefed the couple on the facility’s services, which include evaluation and treatment of speech, language and voice disorders, as well as support for swallowing difficulties.
