In November 2018, four Saudis came up with the idea of starting a floral business because “a bouquet of flowers is a symbol of care and appreciation.” And so the luxurious online floral shop Hues was born.
The four partners all have different roles. Tala Bakhsh, who holds an MA in Cultural and Creative Industries from King’s College London and a diploma in the art of floral composition from Catherine Muller Flower School in London, is Hues’ specialist florist. Maryam Abduljawad, who has a bachelor’s degree in visual communication and arts with an emphasis in studio art in Lugano, Switzerland, is its creative florist.
Sultana Binladen, who holds a master’s degree in events and conference management from London and is an aromatherapist and marketing and graphic design specialist, serves as Hues’ events and coordination manager. Lastly, Mashael Binladen, a postgraduate in international business with emphasis in entrepreneurship, is its floral arrangements specialist.
“We were discussing ideas for businesses within art and education. All we had in common was a love for handwork and art. While conversing, the idea of flowers came up, which the four of us are passionate about,” they told Arab News in an email.
There are a few online flower businesses in the Kingdom but what makes Hues stand out is their monthly and weekly subscriptions can be tailored to the customer’s needs, such as for the home or office.
“During the first couple of months we realized how people were looking for reasonable prices, as well as visually pleasing designs and types of flowers. The market also lacked any type of subscription services, which we took the opportunity to provide.”
As the floral quartet put it: “Actions speak louder than words. Nowadays, with technology you can be there for someone 24/7 via text, but what really matters is to show you care, and to go above and beyond and touch someone’s heart.
“Sending a bouquet means far more than just sending a flower emoji in a text. Receiving flowers is bound to make your loved one smile, whether on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day or a birthday, or simply on any day you would like to make your loved one feel special.”
They offer a wide range of flower selection and displays, with Enchanted Beauty (orchids and roses) being their bestseller. It is the colors (hues) that give this bouquet its name — purple roses symbolize enchantment, while baby orchids signify beauty.
Hues would like to get the wider public interested in the different types of flowers, their meaning and symbolism, and to this end they will be offering workshops for children aged 4-12 from next month.
“Flowers make us happy and we wanted to provide an online floral store that would add beauty not only to people’s lives but to the lives of the ones around you as well, in a simple, yet luxurious way.”
They plan to open a store by September 2020 or early 2021 in Jeddah.
Customers can place their orders through their website: www.hues-sa.com. Keep up with Hues on Instagram (@hues.sa)
Startup of the Week: Hues - a Saudi online florist adding a touch of beauty to flower shopping
https://arab.news/8rz5f
Startup of the Week: Hues - a Saudi online florist adding a touch of beauty to flower shopping
- “Flowers make us happy and we wanted to provide an online floral store that would add beauty not only to people’s lives but to the lives of the ones around you as well, in a simple, yet luxurious way”
Ministry of Culture launches crafts hackathon as part of Year of Handicrafts
- Registration open until Jan. 31
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched a crafts hackathon to bring together creators and innovators from diverse fields.
The event aims to generate innovative solutions for various aspects of the handicrafts sector, including marketing, design and production, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
It aligns with the broader objectives of the Year of Handicrafts 2025.
The Ministry of Culture annually celebrates a distinctive Saudi cultural element, highlighting and celebrating it through projects and events.
The year 2025 has been designated as the Year of Handicrafts to solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life.
Registration for the hackathon is open until Jan. 31.
The selection of qualified participants will begin in early February, followed by a two-day training camp on Feb. 14-15.
It targets a diverse range of participants, including artisans, designers, developers and programmers. Teams must consist of at least three and no more than five members.
All participants must be at least 18 years old.
Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia’s cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations.
Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.
Saudi Foreign Minister meets with his Syrian counterpart
- Al-Shibani arrived with a high-level Syrian delegation on Wednesday night
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in Syria.
Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to supporting Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity while emphasizing efforts to achieve security, stability, and prosperity for the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The discussions also focused on preserving Syrian state institutions, enhancing its capabilities, and facilitating its reintegration into the Arab and Islamic worlds, SPA added.
Senior Saudi officials including Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan and ambassadors Saud Al-Sati and Faisal Al-Majfal were also in attendance.
Al-Shibani arrived with a high-level Syrian delegation on Wednesday, including Defense Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab.
They were welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji.
This marks Al-Shibani's first foreign trip since the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
The visit comes after Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, praised Saudi Arabia's potential role in shaping Syria’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia launches air bridge to deliver urgent aid to Syria
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched an air bridge to deliver essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.
Two planes carrying relief supplies landed at Damascus International Airport, Saudi aid agency KSrelief told Arab News.
The planes, which left from King Khalid International Airport, carried food, shelter and medical supplies, along with a KSrelief team to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people, KSrelief said.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, said: “The air bridge launched on Wednesday will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.”
Al-Rabeeah said that the humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, reaffirming the Kingdom’s dedication to assisting nations in crisis.
He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support since the Syrian crisis began in 2011 and its significant role in international humanitarian efforts.
Al-Rabeeah said that, through KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has continuously provided aid to internally displaced Syrians, refugees in neighboring countries, and victims of the northern Syrian earthquake in February 2023.
According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.
The first aircraft was received by Abdullah Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria; Mohammed Hazem Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent; and several media representatives.
Al-Harees emphasized that this assistance is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief, aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the crisis in Syria.
Bakleh expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian aid, noting that the relief will be distributed to those in need in all Syrian territories, without discrimination.
Saudi defense minister discusses Syrian political transition with officials
- Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani
- Al-Shibani also held meeting with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan
RIYADH: Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held a high-level meeting on Thursday in Riyadh with senior officials from Syria’s new administration, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The discussions focused on advancing Syria’s transitional political process to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people while ensuring the nation’s security, stability, and territorial integrity, SPA added.
The Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani, accompanied by defense minister Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra and Chief of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab.
The meeting also included prominent Saudi officials, among them Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan;
The high-level Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.
The delegation was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack
- Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.
A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.
It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
