Shanina Shaik attends 2025 Fashion Trust US Awards

Shaik traces her ancestry back to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lithuania and Australia. (Getty Images)
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Updated 09 April 2025
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Shanina Shaik attends 2025 Fashion Trust US Awards

DUBAI: Model Shanina Shaik and actress Sofia Boutella attended the 2025 Fashion Trust US Awards in Los Angeles this week for a ceremony which brought together designers, celebrities and industry figures to support and celebrate emerging fashion talent.

Shaik, who traces her ancestry back to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lithuania and Australia, arrived in a sleek white gown by Cult Gaia.

The silk dress featured a cowl neckline and a floor-length, form-fitting silhouette. Tulle ties at the shoulders extended down both front and back, detailed with petal-like appliques. The gown included an open back design, with the floral embellishments continuing down sheer strands to the hem. 




Shanina Shaik wore a sleek white gown by Cult Gaia. (Getty Images)

The look was completed with minimal accessories — gold hoop earrings, neutral platform sandals and a slicked-back hairstyle. 

Meanwhile, Boutella, who is French Algerian, wore a striking red floor-length gown with a high neckline and soft, gathered pleats along the bodice. The dress featured loose, elbow-length sleeves and a cinched waist that flowed into a flared skirt. She paired the outfit with a metallic silver clutch. 

The Fashion Trust US Awards, presented by Google Shopping, celebrates emerging designers working across various disciplines, including ready-to-wear, jewelry and accessories.




Sofia Boutella wore a striking red floor-length gown with a high neckline. (Getty Images)

This year’s event was hosted by actress and singer Keke Palmer. 

Anthony Vaccarello received the Honorary Award, while other winners included Rachel Scott of Diotima for ready-to-wear, Dani Griffiths of Clyde for accessories and Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz of Beck for jewelry. Nana Kwame Adusei scooped the Sustainability Award while the Graduate accolade went to Parsons student Patrick Taylor. 

Winners received grants of $100,000-$200,000, along with mentorship opportunities through Fashion Trust US and Google Shopping.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @fashiontrustus

They were selected by the Fashion Trust US board and advisory panel, which included industry figures such as Jonathan Simkhai, Brandon Blackwood, Willy Chavarria, Jeremy Scott, Laurie Lynn Stark, Bob Mackie, Gaia Repossi, Francesco Risso, Chriselle Lim, Monique Lhuillier, Ugo Mozie, Bethann Hardison and Fernando Garcia.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @fashiontrustus

Attending the ceremony were celebrities such as Lucy Hale, Becky G, Julia Fox, Maddie Ziegler, Kate Hudson, Heidi Klum, Hailey Bieber, Ciara, Julia Fox and Mandy Moore.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The evening also included a performance by singer Natasha Bedingfield.


Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

Updated 24 May 2025
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Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

  • Iconic band make major stop on Middle East leg of schedule 

RIYADH: Iconic American rock band Guns N’ Roses performed in Riyadh on Friday as part of their 2025 global tour, marking a major stop on the band’s Middle East schedule.

The group, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, took the stage to a packed crowd, kicking off the night with “Welcome to the Jungle.”

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST. (Supplied)

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. 

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST and, ahead of the event, Rayan Al-Rasheed, its director of operations and artist booking, highlighted the significance of hosting such acts in the Kingdom.

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. (Supplied)

He said: “Saudi Arabia has become a key destination for global music acts. By hosting legendary artists like Guns N’ Roses we aim to elevate the Kingdom’s presence in the global music scene.”

The introduction of rock music to the Saudi musical landscape acknowledged a genre that had long had a strong presence in the country, he said, adding: “The popularity of bands like Metallica and Linkin Park shows that rock has deep roots here.”


Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

Updated 24 May 2025
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Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

  • Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended

PARIS: A Paris court this week found the ringleader and seven other people guilty in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, but did not impose any additional time behind bars for their roles in what the US celebrity described as “the most terrifying experience of my life."

The chief judge, David De Pas, said that the defendants' ages — six are in their 60s and 70s — and their health issues weighed on the court’s decision to impose sentences that he said “aren’t very severe.”

He said that the nine years between the robbery and the trial — long even by the standards of France’s famously deliberate legal system — were also taken into account in not imposing harsher sentences. The court acquitted two of the 10 defendants.

Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended.

Three others got seven years, five of them suspended. Three more got prison sentences ranging from five to three years, mostly or completely suspended, and an eighth person was found guilty on a weapons charge and fined.

With time already served in pretrial detention, none of those found guilty will go to prison and all walked out free. The trial was heard by a three-judge panel and six jurors.

Still, the chief judge said that Kardashian had been traumatized by the Oct. 2, 2016, jewel heist in her hotel during Fashion Week.

“You caused harm,” the judge said. “You caused fear.”

Kardashian, who wasn't present for the verdict, said in a statement issued afterward that she was “deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case.”

“The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice, and promoting a fair legal system," said the celebrity who is working to become a lawyer.


Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

Updated 24 May 2025
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Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

DUBAI: British actress and model Cara Delevingne wore a black gown by Saudi label Ashi Studio to the premiere of “La Venue de L’avenir” (“Colours of Time”) at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

The strapless gown featured a sleek, satin-like finish with a sculpted bodice that flowed into a straight, floor-length skirt, subtly draped at the hips. She paired the look with sheer black opera gloves for added drama.

Delevingne, her hair styled in soft waves, completed the ensemble with an emerald and diamond necklace and a matching ring from Hassanzadeh Jewellery.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

Delevingne’s gown was originally presented during Paris Haute Couture Week as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. The version shown on the runway was in blue.

Delevingne was not the only star dressed in designs by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, founder of Ashi Studio.

Hong Kong-Taiwanese actress and model Shu Qi also championed the designer at the premiere of “Resurrection,” wearing a deep burgundy velvet gown from his Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

The strapless dress featured a sleek, form-fitting silhouette. Its standout element was the train at the back, adorned with intricate gold-thread embroidery depicting trees, birds, houses, rivers and other landscape details.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

Ashi and his atelier have been based in Paris since 2018. In 2023, he became the first designer from the Gulf region to be invited as a guest member of the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris, which allowed him to present on the official couture calendar.

In 2024, Ashi was commissioned to design the official cabin crew uniforms for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline.

His designs have also been worn by a number of international public figures and performers, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

He most recently dressed US actress Ali Ahn, star of Netflix’s “The Diplomat,” in a cream sculptural ensemble for the Screen Actors Guild Awards held in Los Angeles in February.

That same month, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo also wore one of his creations to the 2025 Grammy Awards. Her look was from Ashi Studio’s Fall/Winter 2024-25 collection, titled “Sculpted Clouds.”


Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

Updated 23 May 2025
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Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

  • Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age

Netflix’s latest heartwarming film, “Nonnas” serves up more than just mouthwatering Americanized Italian food — it delivers a heartfelt story rooted in real life, proving that passion and purpose have no expiration date. It has steadily hovered in the top 10 Netflix film list in Saudi Arabia since its debut earlier this month.

Inspired by the true story of local Italian New Yorker Joe Scaravela’s Staten Island restaurant, Enoteca Maria/Nonnas of the World, which it self-describes as: “Convivial trattoria featuring real international grandmothers cooking on a rotating schedule,” the film highlights a special concept: Grandmothers, or “nonnas” (the Italian word for grandmother), from diverse backgrounds cook authentic, home-style meals for customers.

Vince Vaughn whips up a storm as Scaravela, the visionary who transforms deep personal loss into a vibrant tribute to family heritage: Handwritten scribbled recipes and all.

Alongside him, legendary actresses Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro bring the nonnas to life with warmth, humor and undeniable charm. Their performances challenge stereotypes about aging women, showing that these culinary matriarchs are far from “past their prime.” Instead, they are vibrant, innovative, creative and full of surprises — proving that life’s best chapters can unfold well beyond what society expects.

The film is a delightful reminder to believe in yourself, and also about the power of community. It celebrates the resilience and strength found in embracing one’s roots, sharing stories and opening hearts while breaking bread. Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age.

While some moments tread the line of predictable and are a bit too sentimental, the film’s earnest spirit and genuine affection for its characters shine through. A bit cheesy? Absolutely. But who doesn’t love a bit — or a lot — of cheese sprinkled in, especially when it’s served with a side of a home-cooked meal (for the soul)?


U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

Updated 23 May 2025
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U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

  • Singer tells country to shun ‘far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts’
  • Calls for protection of aid workers: ‘They’re the best of us’

LONDON: U2 singer Bono has called for Israel to be “released from (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists.” 

The Irish musician made the statement at the Ivor Novello Awards, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.

At the ceremony in London on Thursday, the singer said: “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there’s a few of them out there right now. 

“Hamas: Release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel: Be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they’re the best of us.”

U2, who were at the ceremony to be honored with an Academy Fellowship, then performed their song “Bloody Sunday,” which references the massacre of peaceful protesters by British troops in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

It is the first time that Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, has spoken publicly about Netanyahu since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

His words coincided with criticism of the prime minister by a number of Western leaders over Israel’s approach to the war, with international bodies warning that Gaza faces famine following an 11-week blockade on aid entering the Palestinian enclave.