Hijab-wearing makeup artist Salma Rahman stars in new Adidas campaign 

Sporting Arsenal’s jersey, Rahman shared pictures of the campaign with her 22,500 Instagram followers. (Instagram)
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Updated 02 November 2020
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Hijab-wearing makeup artist Salma Rahman stars in new Adidas campaign 

DUBAI: British-Bangladeshi makeup artist Salma Rahman has starred in a new campaign for sportswear giant Adidas.

The hijab-wearing social media star worked with Adidas Football for their “Human Race” jerseys, designed by R&B singer Pharrell Williams for five major football clubs including Bayern Munchen, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and Arsenal. Williams, music producer and singer of the hit “Happy,” has been working with Adidas since 2014.  

The brand recreated five past iconic jerseys for each club using tie-dye and hand-painting techniques to make the shirts less formal. 

Sporting Arsenal’s jersey, Rahman shared pictures of the campaign with her 22,500 Instagram followers. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

who remembers the great gatsby book cover? yea this is her now — edit: @niqabaechronicles

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“Being a part of @adidasfootball x @pharrell human race reminds me of what I love most about being creative,” she wrote. “To me, creativity has the capacity to ground and uplift oneself and the community. Football jerseys are not just for football players and football is a game for everyone. When I work with makeup, I’m able to express myself, as a human being. To me, this jersey is a reminder that colour unifies and will always spark inspiration.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4 my ugly ducklings

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Famous for her bold use of colors, Rahman topped off her look with daring makeup that incorporated the tie-dye colors of the jersey: blue, orange, yellow and mint green.  

This is not the first time Rahman has partnered with an international brand to represent the hijab-wearing community. She has previously worked with makeup brand Glossier and sportswear giants Nike and Champion.  


Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

Updated 13 sec ago
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Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

  • Irish hip-hop trio have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza
  • Some UK politicians, including PM, want group to be axed from iconic festival

LONDON: Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are “welcome” at the Glastonbury music festival despite objections by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event’s co-organizer has said.

The band, which have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza, are scheduled to play at the iconic British festival this week.

Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with a terrorism offense last year after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London. The band said the charge was a “distraction.”

Some politicians, including opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the trio’s performance at Glastonbury — set for Saturday — to be axed. Starmer this week said Kneecap’s presence at the event would not be “appropriate.”

Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer, told the BBC: “We’re just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here … We remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and … everyone is welcome here.”

Kneecap responded to Starmer in a social media post, saying: “You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide.”


Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

Updated 25 June 2025
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Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

  • With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it
  • Menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics

SAFWA: Munchies in Safwa city, Qatif governorate, may not catch your eye at first. There are no flashy signs or strong online presence to draw you in. But those who visit will find a unique dining experience.

Ahmed Al-Quraish opened the restaurant in 2023. It operates on a reservation basis and relies mostly on word of mouth.

The low-key approach continues inside, where the interior feels more like a carefully designed set than a typical restaurant.

With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it.

The menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics.

A recent visit started with a crispy Caesar salad, generous in size and flavor, followed by hot arancini with a molten center. Both had a good balance of texture and temperature.

The main dishes were well prepared. The wagyu steak arrived cooked as requested, served with creamy mashed potatoes. It was tender, well seasoned and satisfying.

The pasta was rich and silky with a proper bite, and the fish and chips were golden and crisp.

The dessert menu focuses on enjoyable flavors. The chocolate cake was fudgy, the choux pastries flavorful, and the vibrancy and refreshing nature of the passion fruit cake stood out.

Munchies occasionally offers live music or themed events, but at its core are thoughtful food and atmospheric surroundings, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Munchies is open from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This spot delivers consistent quality and ambiance.

The overall experience is worth making a reservation for. Check their Instagram, @munchiesksa, for more details.


Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

Updated 25 June 2025
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Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

PARIS/DUBAI: Paris Fashion Week kicked off with a bang — a Louis Vuitton show unveiling the French brand’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

The front row was packed with A-list stars, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Steve Harvey, Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, PinkPantheress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast.

Part-Arab guests also made an appearance, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi, as well as Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi.

Part-Arab guests attended the show, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi. (Getty Images)

Fatehi attended the show in a taupe double-breasted suit featuring a structured blazer with wide lapels, metallic buttons and flap pockets. She paired the blazer with loose, pleated wide-leg trousers in a matching fabric. She layered the suit over a white shirt and a white tie.

Meanwhile, Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. Underneath, she wore a black knee-length leather skirt and a white top.

In this collection Pharrell Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026.

Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. (Instagram)

The Pompidou’s iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a life size “Snakes and Ladders” board, alluding to both the child’s game and the adult risks of fashion’s global game. 

The models walked the runway in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. 

Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or, in some cases, a puffy hood covered in rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai’s film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers.

Of course, with Vuitton, accessories make the man — and this season’s bags, jeweled sandals, and bold, hardware-heavy necklaces delivered Instagram bait. It’s maximalist, yes, but not just for the TikTok crowd. The craftsmanship — from sun-faded fabrics to hand-loomed stripes — rewards anyone who takes a closer look.


Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

Updated 25 June 2025
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Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

DUBAI: US actress Rachel Zegler has responded to the backlash she received for speaking out in support of Palestine, saying, “Nothing is worth innocent lives.”

The “West Side Story” star, who played the lead in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Snow White,” came under fire during the film’s press tour for her political posts about the war in Gaza. In a new interview with i-D, she addressed the vitriol she faced — not just for her stance on Palestine, but also the widespread online narrative blaming her for the film’s poor box office performance.

Zegler pushed back against the idea that actors should stay silent on humanitarian issues for fear of professional fallout.

“I can really only echo Hannah Einbinder in saying that a platform becomes a responsibility, and that responsibility is ours to use as we please,” Zegler said, referencing the “Hacks” actor’s powerful remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner earlier this year, in which Einbinder criticized Israel’s assault on Gaza and emphasized the need for public figures to speak up.

“My compassion has no boundaries, is really what it is, and my support for one cause does not denounce any others. That’s always been at the core of who I am as a person. It’s the way I was raised,” Zegler continued.

“There are obviously things that are at stake by being outspoken, but nothing is worth innocent lives. My heart doesn’t have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? There are worse things.”

In August 2023, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” actor expressed support for Palestine when she shared the first official “Snow White” trailer on X. She thanked her fans for their support, before adding in a separate post: “And always remember, free Palestine.”


Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

Updated 24 June 2025
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Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

DUBAI: Pioneering Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour has been appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors, the Red Sea Film Foundation announced on Instagram.

“As one of three newly named governors-at-large, Al-Mansour will represent the Directors Branch and bring her singular voice, vision, and global perspective to the Academy’s leadership for the 2025–2026 term and beyond,” they captioned the post.

“An incredible milestone for one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated filmmakers. We’re proud to see her continue shaping the future of cinema on a global stage.”
In 2012, Al-Mansour made history as she released her first feature film “Wadjda.” It was the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director.

Over the years, Al-Mansour has also become one of the most in-demand television directors in Hollywood, helming episodes of hit series including “Archive 81,” “City of Fire,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” and “Bosch: Legacy.”

In 2019, Al-Mansour’s feature film “The Perfect Candidate” was submitted as Saudi Arabia’s official entry for the International Feature Film Award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.