With the fashion scene witnessing a rapid transformation in the Kingdom, many creative minds have come to the fore to prove their mettle. Young Saudis are enthusiastically launching their own lines of clothing brands and carving their own niche in the field of fashion designing.
One such brand is Re:Unite. It is a stylish contemporary fashion brand with a major emphasis on formal wear. Saudi fashion designer Noora Al-Harthi established the brand in Jeddah in early 2017.
“The idea behind my designs is to redesign men’s clothing and make them wearable for women. I give them a feminine touch,” Al-Harthi said.
Al-Harthi was inspired by her father’s style, watching him dress up to work in the 1980s, especially the sharp suits he used to don during that era. Her father also encouraged her to pursue a career in fashion designing. Another aspect that motivated her to join the fashion industry was the world-renowned fashion scene in Mayfair, London.
Al-Harthi studied fashion design at Liverpool Community College. She launched her clothing line soon after her graduation.
“I want women to feel confident and serious: When you put on a suit, you feel powerful,” she said.
The designer takes her work very seriously. She explained that “suits are not easy to make, they have to be precise in measurements and well-tailored.”
Re:Unite offers high-quality timeless tailoring, jackets, coats, shirts, pants and dresses.
Her collection includes “The Uniform of Femininity” and “Roots” which is inspired by her Arabian roots.
Pointing to the collection “Roots,” she said: “It has a European look, cut and everything, but I wanted to give it a Saudi touch.”
“What makes a suit strong is its accessories — I created custom-made buttons because I wanted them to look a little more Arabian to reflect the culture and heritage. I get inspired by Saudi Arabian-themed surroundings such as camels and tents,” she added.
RUH Magazine applauded Re:Unite’s designer for her creativity in minimalism and modernity in her designs by saying: “Hats off to you, Noora Al-Harthi for introducing us to modern contemporary tailoring and showing us how real formal wear is done. Re:Unite, a ready-to-wear formal wear brand, launched its first collection in January of this year. The sense of minimalism and modernity in its creation is what we are missing in our wardrobes!”
The fabrics she uses include cotton, crepe and wool.
Re:Unite is currently offering women’s clothes, but it is planning to expand its current line by offering men’s clothes.
The designer is also planning to open her store soon. People can find Re:Unite on Instagram @reuniteofficial to have a look at the products the brand has to offer.
Start-up of the Week: Blending Western style with Saudi imagination
Start-up of the Week: Blending Western style with Saudi imagination
- “The Uniform of Femininity” and “Roots” which is inspired by her Arabian roots
- The sense of minimalism and modernity in its creation is what we are missing in our wardrobes!
Salam Equine Hospital takes the reins of equine healthcare
- The state-of-the-art facility combines modern technology with innovative design and specialized medical expertise
MAKKAH: Salam Equine Hospital, a venture by Salam Veterinary Group, recently opened its doors in Buraidah, where it epitomizes Saudi Arabia’s ambition to lead in veterinary and medical innovation.
The state-of-the-art facility combines modern technology with innovative design and specialized medical expertise, setting a new benchmark in equine medicine. The hospital not only offers therapeutic and preventive services but also engages in extensive research and development, positioning itself as a global leader in equine care.
Abdulaziz Al-Jumah, the hospital’s executive director, highlighted the project’s significance in an interview with Arab News. “Salam Equine Hospital is part of the Salam Veterinary Group, and it is the largest veterinary hospital in the world.”
According to Al-Jumah, the hospital has formed strategic partnerships with leading international equine hospitals, such as Baker McVeigh, to bring advanced medical knowledge and technology to Saudi Arabia.
“We have established a plan and a strategy for the hospital, consisting of an engineering system facilitating the entry and exit of horses while ensuring their safety,” he said.
A comprehensive system ensures horse safety from entry to exit, with special gates for emergencies and radiology to prevent infection spread.
The facility has fully equipped recovery and anesthesia rooms where horses are safely anesthetized, operated on, and then monitored in recovery. Its operating rooms are designed to meet international standards for isolation, cleanliness, and air quality, crucial for preventing post-operative infections, Al-Jumah said.
“After the operation, some horses might need intensive care. Therefore, we have established intensive care units that are completely isolated to prevent bacterial infections,” Al-Jumah said. “These units have surveillance cameras to monitor the horses in every room of the hospital and track their safety.”
Al-Jumah said that the hospital has “a radiology room that is lead-lined and fully equipped with radiology and sonar devices that examine the horses’ tendons, fractured bones, and spine. A 360-degree examination is conducted using these exceptional top-notch devices.”
When it comes to equine reproduction, Salam Equine Hospital uses cutting-edge techniques such as artificial insemination, natural insemination, and embryo transfer, including the sophisticated IVF method known as “test tube foal,” where sperm is injected directly into an egg.
The hospital’s reach extends beyond its physical boundaries, with mobile clinics that provide on-site care at stables, ensuring comprehensive health services for horses in the region.
Al-Jumah emphasized the hospital’s ongoing commitment to research. “Salam Equine Hospital is keen to conduct new research and seeks development, uniqueness and excellence in horses’ care, thanks to the support of the board of directors and medical personnel who have raised our ambitions level to become the best in the world. We are always looking to initiate new research in this field.”
This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s vision for medical advancement and sets new global standards in veterinary care.
Harvard students explore Jeddah’s history, culture
- This visit is part of a national initiative organized by Saudi students at Harvard University
Jeddah: The Jeddah Historic District Program of the Ministry of Culture recently hosted a delegation of students from Harvard University, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The students were given a tour of the Jeddah Historic District, known as Al-Balad, highlighting its distinctive architectural, cultural and economic landmarks.
They also participated in activities commemorating World Arabic Language Day, which further enhanced their understanding of the area’s rich heritage.
This visit is part of a national initiative organized by Saudi students at Harvard University to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural and economic development to their peers, the SPA reported.
The Jeddah Historic District Program plays a crucial role in revitalizing the area through community engagement, economic development and sustainable urban planning.
By transforming historic Jeddah into a vibrant environment for living and working, the program aims to establish it as a global heritage and tourist destination.
Saudi project clears 570 Houthi mines in Yemen
Riyadh: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 570 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included two anti-personnel mines, 50 anti-tank mines, 508 unexploded ordnances and 10 explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 473,258 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
Riyadh forum explores reading’s role in growth
RIYADH: The Reading Forum, organized by the Libraries Commission, recently concluded at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.
The forum featured dialogue sessions and workshops attracting reading and culture enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Discussions covered novels as artistic expressions that reflect culture and history, foster critical thinking, and the role of narration in promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
Participants highlighted reading and research as tools for personal growth, lifelong learning, and effective content creation.
They emphasized the importance of translation in cultural exchange and global copyright, the SPA reported.
Sessions explored instilling a love for reading in youth through collaboration between families, schools and society, as well as leadership in literary trends and the impact of genres on critical thinking.
The event set out to position reading as a foundation of progress, celebrating Saudi, Arab and global literary talent while fostering a culture of knowledge and intellectual growth.
Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances distinguished by intellectual depth and artistic excellence.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University until Dec. 26.
A seminar on contemporary theater in the Arab world explored the intersection of creativity and sustainability, bringing together an elite group of theater thinkers and creators.
One of the festival’s participants, Kamal Al-Alawi from Tunisia, reviewed the evolution of theater, tracing its journey from the Greek era through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the time of Emile Zola, which marked a qualitative shift and revolution in impressionism.
Among the intellectuals and theater experts, Lina Abiad from Lebanon discussed ways to improve theatrical production and modernize it using contemporary methodologies.
The commission’s CEO, Sultan Al-Bazie, described the festival as a cornerstone for advancing theatrical movement in the Kingdom and increasing public awareness of the performing arts.
This year’s event features 20 performances, selected by a committee of experts, reflecting the diversity of theatrical arts in the Kingdom and its intellectual and developmental programs.
The festival underscores the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent, aiming for a strong presence on regional and international stages. It will conclude with a presentation of awards to distinguished performers.
