DUBAI: Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi, founder of the eponymous luxury brand, turned heads at the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week, while part-Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair graced the runway for Danish fashion label Ganni.

Muaddi, who is a regular at Dior fashion shows, opted for a classic white button-down shirt and a sleek black satin pencil skirt. Her look was accessorized with a pair of dark, round sunglasses and a small, textured blue Dior handbag.

The Dior collection, by Maria Grazia Chiuri, took a sporty turn, blending athletic prowess with an urban menace. The designs evoked a 1960s sci-fi aesthetic, reminiscent of “Star Trek,” but with an edge — daring, asymmetrical shapes paired with knee-high boots that flirted with danger.

Chiuri’s intent was clear from the start: A nod to the power and autonomy of the female form. With a clear reference to Christian Dior’s iconic Amazone dress from the early 1950s, Chiuri reinterpreted the silhouette with sleek, athletic lines, the Associated Press reported.

It echoed the spirit of the recent Paris Olympics, as models walked in skin-tight black tops with geometric cut-outs, circular cutaway patterns, and lace-up boot sneakers. There was a dynamic tension between freedom of movement and structured control — a recurring theme in Chiuri’s work, which often explores the balance between comfort and couture.

Metallic accents, from shimmering embroidery to butterfly motifs, punctuated the otherwise severe palette, adding a touch of delicacy to the sharpness of the designs, according to AP.

Meanwhile, Al-Zuhair, whose mother is French, walked the runway for Ganni in a dark grey, structured blazer styled over similarly colored tailored pants. Adding an artistic touch, the model also wore a large, ruffled pale blue scarf around her neck, which contrasted with the dark tones of the outfit. 

On Wednesday, Al-Zuhair also shared images of the Missoni show she participated in during Milan Fashion Week on Instagram.

She wore a dynamic, eye-catching ensemble featuring bold, wavy stripes in black, white and yellow. The outfit included an asymmetrical top adorned with exaggerated ruffled detailing that cascaded down one side, paired with a high-waisted bikini bottom. Completing the look were matching high-heeled sandals in vibrant yellow, adding an extra pop of color.

RIYADH: The Hajj Terminal in Jeddah will play host to the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale from Jan. 25 to May 25.

Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, this edition explores how faith is experienced, expressed and celebrated through emotions, thoughts and creation.

Following the success of the first Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023 — which ran under the theme “Awwal Bait” or “First House” — this time it is titled “And All That Is In-Between.”

 

 

 

 

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There will be over 30 global institutions participating from countries including Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt, Indonesia, the UK and US.

The showcase will include more than 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks including pieces from Makkah and Madinah. They have been loaned by museums including the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In addition, more than 20 artists and collectives from Saudi Arabia and beyond will present new commissions, including Libyan artist Nour Jaouda.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, highlighted the transformative power of the arts in a statement to Arab News.

“Building on the remarkable success of the inaugural edition, the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale comes with greater ambition, expanded partnerships and a diverse selection of artistic and cultural institutions, patrons, as well as artists from Saudi Arabia and countries that have rich Islamic culture and traditions,” Prince Badr said.

Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said the event was growing “through its expert curatorial leadership, and in the participation of world-leading institutions and artists.”

 

 

 

 

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Al-Bakree added that the program would “cement the biennale as a global platform for cultural exchange and a reference point for new research into the field.”

The biennale’s curatorial team is led by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer and Abdul Rahman Azzam, with Saudi Arabia artist Muhannad Shono as the curator of contemporary art.

Highlights include celestial navigation, Islamic gardens and a competition for the design of a new prayer space, with the winning entry being constructed on-site.