PARIS: Clare Waight Keller, the Givenchy stylist who grabbed the global fashion spotlight by designing Meghan Markle’s wedding dress, paid homage to the storied house’s late founder in her latest haute couture collection.
On the first day of Paris couture week, the Givenchy show, held in the gardens of the National Archives in the city’s Marais district, was shrouded in mystery and old-school Hollywood glamor.
It was Keller’s first show since the house’s founder Hubert de Givenchy died in March at the age of 91.
To the sound of Givenchy’s muse Audrey Hepburn singing “Moon River,” the models strutted down a catwalk that shimmered like a river.
Draped dresses, voluminous jewels, and feathers dotted the collection — 47-year-old Waight Keller’s second haute couture offering since she succeeded Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy in March 2017, shortly after leaving rival label Chloe after six years at the helm.
The color palette was essentially black and white. Regal capes abounded — sometimes short, sometimes sweeping, sometimes hooded.
Gem-colored sequins covered some dresses, evoking mermaid scales. Even the masculine silhouettes also sparkled with sequins.
The British artistic director created the boat-necked, sculpted dress that Markle wore for her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, featuring a five-meter train embroidered with flowers from all 53 Commonwealth countries.
Markle also chose Givenchy for her first official engagement on June 14 alongside Queen Elizabeth II, sporting a beige wool crepe dress with a small cape.
The official haute couture program includes 35 shows, running through Wednesday, with collections from 11 nations: Belgium, China, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, The Netherlands, Russia and the US.
Unlike ready-to-wear shows, haute couture rollouts in January and July are a solely Parisian affair.
The prestigious “haute couture” label is accorded by the French industry ministry to acknowledge traditional craftsmanship in hand-sewn, custom-made garments using strict criteria.
Only 14 fashion houses currently boast the recognition, including Chanel, Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Maison Margiela, Schiaparelli, Alexis Mabille and Stephane Rolland.
The catwalk displays of some of the world’s most expensive clothes will be followed on Thursday by high-end jewelry collections by the likes of Anna Hu, Bulgari, Chanel, Chopard, De Beers, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Mikimoto.
Off the official program, fashionistas on Sunday were treated to a show of exclusive creations by Sonia Rykiel, the fashion house founded by the influential French designer who died in 2016.
Although the house develops ready-to-wear lines, it worked up handmade, limited-edition items to mark its 50th anniversary for the show in the elegant courtyard of the Ecole des Beaux Arts.
Artistic director Julie de Libran paid homage to some of the label’s classics, with trademark mesh, black contrasted with bright colors, and lots of sequins and embroidery.
See-through black tulle skirts were paired with big coats or wool pullovers, while a wedding dress was worn with jeans.
The pioneering Rykiel was a fixture in the industry for half a century, buoyed by the Swinging Sixties craze in London and the emerging feminist movement across the globe.
Givenchy homage on first day of Paris haute couture shows
Givenchy homage on first day of Paris haute couture shows
- To the sound of Givenchy’s muse Audrey Hepburn singing ‘Moon River,’ the models strutted down a catwalk that shimmered like a river.
- The prestigious ‘haute couture’ label is accorded by the French industry ministry to acknowledge traditional craftsmanship in hand-sewn, custom-made garments using strict criteria
Primark to open 3 stores in the UAE
DUBAI: Primark is officially making its way to Dubai, marking its debut in the UAE after years of rumors about the popular store’s launch in the country.
The popular budget retailer is partnering with retail giant Alshaya Group to open three stores in Dubai, as announced by Alshaya Group CEO John Hadden on Virgin Radio Dubai’s Kris Fade Show.
Set to launch in early 2026, the stores will be located at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif.
“Price is the same. We’re going to do jeans at a starting price of AED 50 and a basic t-shirt will be AED 15,” Hadden said on the show. “I’m so excited I can’t sustain it. It’s just brilliant.”
Primark’s regional debut is set for The Avenues Mall in Kuwait, with the store expected to open by late 2025. Following that, the brand will expand to Dubai as its next stop in the Middle East.
Primark began 55 years ago in Dublin, Ireland, where it originally opened under the name Penneys. Since then, it has grown to operate 450 stores worldwide.
With a presence in 15 European countries and 16 locations in the United States, the brand offers a wide range of products including clothing for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics, home goods and accessories.
Best and Worst: Saudi presenter Ftoon Marwan talks family, freedom and fashion
DUBAI: The Saudi presenter and content creator discusses fashion and how family and freedom have influenced her journey.
Best TV show or film you’ve ever seen?
The best TV show? “The Walking Dead.” I’ve watched it more than six times. I’m crazy about this show. I’ve been watching it since I was little kid. For movies, I like “Life or Something Like It” with Angelina Jolie. I’ve also been watching it since I was a child. The story of the movie is very nice.
Worst TV show or film you’ve ever seen?
“It.” I hate that movie. I don’t understand, are they trying to make kids scared of clowns? They’re already afraid of them. To me the idea is stupid.
Best personal style moment so far?
My mom actually does all of my styling. I could get a stylist, but my mom is honestly the best. I like all the outfits she chooses for me. At one event I was emceeing I was wearing a fuchsia dress. It was so bright. I was shining among everyone. I love this outfit!
Worst personal style moment?
I don’t have a worst style moment to be honest. There’s a saying in Arabic that means “There is a right moment for everything.” I don’t judge my style that harshly.
Best accessory for a little black dress?
A gold belt with simple gold earrings and accessories. All gold. Simple, simple, simple. For heels, it has to be gold. I have gold heels that I love so much. They work with everything!
Worst accessory for a little black dress?
Everything matches black. So, I do not think there is a worst accessory. It’s the king of colors.
Best fashion trend of 2025?
Statement accessories like bold bags and chunky jewelry. I like when they are out there and obvious, but the outfit itself has to be simple. Accessories give life to the outfit, you know?
Worst fashion trend of 2025?
Tiny bags, who wears them anymore? I can’t put anything inside them! It’s a stupid idea.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Focus on your health, family, money and work. I’d say focus especially on your family. Your mother and father brought you into this world with the hope of raising a child they could be proud of and honored by in front of others. My parents dedicated their entire lives to raising us to become the best versions of ourselves.
Worst advice you’ve ever been given?
“Get married early so we can see your kids.” Someone once proposed to me and said that. Thankfully my family said no. I truly appreciated it. They said no to make me free to do whatever I want whenever I want.
Best thing to do when you’re feeling low?
When I go to the beach, I swear I am the happiest creature in the world. Also, when I was a little kid, I used to tell my parents to take me ice skating whenever I felt low. This habit stuck with me until now. It gave me really good balance.
Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?
Oversharing my feelings and my money. I’ll go spend my money on my friends and family. My mom keeps telling me: “Stop, you’ll need this money someday.” But I always tell her what goes comes around in double. That’s my motto.
Best holiday destination?
Dubai. I really love it. I lived most of my childhood there. I also like Germany. I went there in 2013 with my whole family. It was so nice. Honestly, I remember every moment of it.
Worst holiday destination?
I’ve never been to Egypt, but my family were saying they didn’t like it because of the situations they they’ve been in there.
Best subject at school?
I used to enjoy history, archaeology and science. Then in college, I did archaeology and tourism. It was meant to be. It was so me.
Worst subject at school?
Math, math, math. I remember a lot of Ds and one F.
Imaan Hammam suits up for 2025 Met Gala
DUBAI: Fashion’s biggest night got underway this week at the Met Gala in a rainy Manhattan, and part-Arab celebrities turned heads with their looks.
Dutch Egyptian Moroccan model Imaan Hammam donned a white tailored suit by Polish designer Magda Butrym, featuring a fitted waist, structured shoulders and wide-leg trousers. She paired it with a black shirt and a polka dot tie.
Her look included a black cane with a silver handle and silver pointed-toe heels. She topped off the outfit with a black headpiece made of flowers and long feathers.
Among the guests was, of course, US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid.
The runway star wore a metallic gold halter-neck gown with a fitted silhouette and a gathered waist. The dress featured sequins and embellishments throughout, along with a slight train that extended behind her.
She completed the look with statement earrings and styled her hair in soft vintage waves with a rolled front section.
Saudi Arabia-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez wore a black satin gown with lace detailing along the neckline and waist. The dress featured a thigh-high slit and a floor-length train. She accessorized her look with pointed black heels and a diamond necklace.
This year’s Met Gala marks two major milestones: it is the first to spotlight Black designers, and the first in over two decades to center on menswear. The theme was inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
The event was co-hosted by Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky.
Rihanna closed out the evening in signature fashion, revealing her newly announced baby bump. Her Marc Jacobs look included tied sleeves of a men’s suit that served as a bustle behind her as she posed for the cameras.
A$AP Rocky, who is both co-chair and the father of Rihanna’s child, responded to congratulations on the carpet. “It feels amazing. It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up. And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ‘cause we definitely happy, you know,” he told reporters on the red carpet.
Georgina Rodriguez jets to New York for Charlotte Tilbury launch
DUBAI: Riyadh-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez flew to New York this week to mark the launch of a new product by British cosmetics brand Charlotte Tilbury.
Rodriguez also stars in a campaign for the brand, which she previewed on social media late last week.
“Super Nudes are my contour SUPER POWER! Had the most incredible time working on this campaign with @CharlotteTilbury! You need to try her new Super Nudes Contour System - it’s like Shapewear for your face (sic),” the model captioned an Instagram post about the new contouring makeup product.
Rodriguez then flew to New York to attend a launch event hosted by the brand before posing for photos in Times Square.
Rodriguez, who moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023 alongside her longtime partner Cristiano Ronaldo, has been making headlines as of late with a number of advertising campaigns.
Most recently, Ronaldo and Rodriguez appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic, with Rodriguez saying “yalla” after selecting the cruise on her phone and Ronaldo replying with a cheerful “yalla,” meaning “let’s go.”
The campaign then transitions into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, showcasing panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors, and their private accommodation on board.
She is also known for giving fans a peek into her life in Saudi Arabia through her Instagram account. One standout moment in April was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.”
Rodriguez also shares snippets of her personal routine in Riyadh and recently shared a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.
The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Saudi Arabia, where she lives with football star Ronaldo and their children.
In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.
Saudi fashion event highlights retail trends, youth culture, and digital innovation
- Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves
RIYADH: A Riyadh fashion seminar on Sunday brought together industry leaders and creatives to explore the future of Saudi Arabia’s fashion economy.
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
The agenda focused on three main themes: the evolution of fashion retail in the Kingdom; the role of cultural identity in building brands; and the rising importance of digital fashion and collaboration.
“Our role is to accelerate the journey from creativity to commercial viability by equipping designers with the tools, mentorship and infrastructure needed to build scalable brands,” Chalhoub CEO, Michael Chalhoub told Arab News.
“By creating initiatives like the Fashion Lab, the Ibtikar program, and accelerator partnerships, we provide a framework that supports emerging talent at every step.”
An awards ceremony honored the standout talents of this year’s cohort: APOA, Awaken, Bucketbox, Mona Al-Shebil, Noble & Fresh, Nora Al-Shaikh, Rebirth, Samar Nasraldin, The Untitled Project and USCITA.
One discussion explored consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the local market continues to grow despite global slowdowns.
Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves.
Retail experiences — both physical and digital — were emphasized as key to engaging Saudi consumers.
Youth culture, streetwear and sports are shaping brand narratives, a panel heard. Speakers discussed how fashion is being used as a tool for cultural storytelling, with an emphasis on grassroots creativity and community building.
Another topic highlighted the power of collaboration between local and international brands. Panelists discussed the importance of long-term partnerships, manufacturing localization, and mentorship to bridge gaps in knowledge and infrastructure.
Speakers also addressed the future of digital fashion, including virtual design, retail innovation, and new marketing strategies targeting Gen Z.
Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the regional and global fashion economy was a prominent theme of the discussions.
