A bisht is a traditional Arabian long cloak men wear over their thobes. This cloak is usually made of wool and ranges in color from white, beige, and cream to the darker shades of brown, grey and black. The word bisht is derived from the Persian — to go on one’s back.
Originally the bisht was worn in winter by Bedouins. Now it’s only worn for special occasions like weddings, festivals, graduations and Eid.
The bisht has been the choice of formal wear for politicians, religious scholars and high-ranking individuals in Arabian Gulf countries, Iraq and countries north of Saudi Arabia. This traditional flowing cloak is meant to distinguish those who wear it. People say no cloth can provide the distinction of a hand-tailored bisht. This is why the art of bisht tailoring is a skill handed down from generation to generation.
Abu Salem, a Saudi tailor from Al-Ahsa, said, “Bishts were first tailored in Persia. Saudis were introduced to them when bisht vendors came here for Haj or Umra.”
Al-Ahsa area in the Eastern Province has been home to the best bisht tailors for over 200 years and leading producers in the Gulf countries since the 1940.
Some families in Al-Ahsa inherited their forefather’s skill and continue to make bishts in their family name. You can find a bisht called the Al-Qattan, Al-Kharas, Al-Mahdi or the Al-Bagli.
Three types of embroidery are used in making the bisht: gold stitch, silver stitch and silk stitch. The thread is called zari and gold and silver are very common. “Black bishts with gold stitching is the most popular, after cream and white,” said Abu Salem. “In the early 90s new colors were introduced to the bisht market. Blue, grey and maroon are mostly worn by the younger generation. The older generation sticks to the traditional black, brown and cream,” he added.
Prices vary from SR 100 all the way up to SR 20,000 depending on the fabric, stitching, color and style. The most expensive, the Royal bisht is specially tailored for princes, politicians and the weathy. “These people usually choose black, honey, beige and cream for their bishts,” said Abu Salem. “They are always handmade and use gold or silver thread and sometimes a combination of both,” he added.
Abu Salem said, “There are two kinds of zari, the genuine which is silk or cotton yarn covered with pure gold or silver, and the imitation where the yarn is covered with silver electroplated copper wire. Each tailor has his own trademark zari design.”
There are three main bisht designs, the Darbeyah, Mekasar and the Tarkeeb.
Darbeyah is handmade with genuine zari embroidery and traditional patterns and the style is square and loose. Mekasar also known as Gasbi, has silk embroidery along the edge of the fabric.
“Tarkeeb means fitting and it comes with a Darbeyah design with gold zari embroidery on tailored bisht fabric,” said Abu Salem.
Until the invention of the sewing machine the original bisht was hand sewn. “These days most bishts are machine-made but some people prefer a handmade one for their finer detail,” he said.
Abu Salem said, “Tailoring Hasawi bishts is an art that requires accuracy and skill. The gold embroidery requires patience and takes many hours. The length of time depends on the style and design. Hand-making one of these bishts could take from 80 to 120 hours and four tailors, each with one specific task.”
The Hasawi, a special of Al-Ahsa, is the most expensive using camel or lama hair or goat wool with gold embroidery on the collar and sleeves.
Traditionally, the bisht has two sleeves but it can be worn with only one arm through the sleeve and the other wrapped around loosely and tucked into the side.
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Traditional & modern: The Saudi man's bisht
Traditional & modern: The Saudi man's bisht
Georgina Rodriguez steals the spotlight at Dubai event
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez made a head-turning appearance this week at the Globe Soccer Dubai Awards 2024, held as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference 2024.
She attended the event alongside her longtime partner, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was honored with two awards: Best Middle East Player 2024 and All-Time Top Goal Scorer.
Rodriguez turned heads in a fitted black dress featuring a sweetheart neckline and lace-detailed sleeves. She completed her look with black pointed-toe heels and carried a matching black purse.
The couple was joined by Ronaldo’s eldest son, Cristiano Jr., making it a family affair at one of the year’s most celebrated sports events.
Upon accepting the award, Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr FC, expressed his gratitude on stage, saying: “For me, it is a big pleasure to win this trophy. It is very different than the other ones. It is a pleasure to be in this gala. (There are) a lot of champions here, young generations and old generations.”
He continued: “I have to say thank you to my own family, my kids. They are all here in Dubai. My oldest son is there. My wife is here. She’s my lovely support all the time to carry on to play. In one month I’m gonna be 40 years old but I’m not finished yet. I will continue because I want to win titles, I want to be a champion.”
After the event, Ronaldo shared pictures with his 646 million Instagram followers, captioning the post: “A great way to end the year. Thank you to my teammates, staff, to everyone who has supported me along the way, and especially to my family. There is still more to come.”
The couple were later spotted at Nobu Dubai in Atlantis the Palm, where there was also Brazilian football player Neymar and former Italian footballer Alessandro Del Piero.
Rodriguez and Ronaldo traveled to Dubai following their family vacation in Lapland, Finland, where they celebrated the festive season.
The couple shared glimpses of their activities on Instagram, including an in-house dinner with their children, sledding adventures, ice baths and more, giving fans a peek into their holiday moments.
Mytheresa CEO on personalization, culture, Saudi Arabia’s luxury boom
DUBAI: As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global centre for luxury, the Kingdom’s burgeoning fashion market is capturing the attention of high-end retailers worldwide.
Mytheresa, one of the leading luxury e-commerce platforms, is at the forefront of this shift, catering to a growing and increasingly discerning Saudi clientele.
Michael Kliger, CEO of Mytheresa, revealed how the brand is evolving alongside the Kingdom’s dynamic landscape, with a focus on personalization and cultural connection.
“We’re witnessing incredible changes in the Saudi market,” Kliger said. “More Saudis are staying in the region, with some even moving back permanently, which has created a significant increase in local demand for luxury fashion.
“Events like weddings and receptions have always been important here, but now, with cinemas and fine dining experiences becoming more common, there are even more occasions for people to dress up.”
While Mytheresa does not yet have a physical presence in Saudi Arabia, its strategy focuses on creating meaningful connections with local clients.
“We host a variety of events to engage directly with our Saudi customers,” Kliger said. “Recently, we had a dinner at Hia Hub in Riyadh with the designers of Oscar de la Renta, and in Jeddah, one of our clients hosted 100 of her friends for us at a hotel. These gatherings, along with style suites where customers can try curated collections, allow us to bring the Mytheresa experience to them in a personal and exclusive way.”
Additionally, the e-tailer frequently collaborates with local creatives to create authentic connections with their customers. Kliger said that understanding the timing of local events and traditions, such as Ramadan and other festive gatherings, is essential. He highlighted the importance of working with local influencers and ambassadors to ensure the brand’s messaging feels genuine and accessible, making it easier for Saudi customers to engage with Mytheresa.
Personalization too, is at the heart of Mytheresa’s approach. “It’s not about catering to a ‘Saudi style,’ but understanding each individual client,” Kliger said. “For example, one of our clients in Riyadh loves Yamamoto and Sacai. It’s about identifying those preferences and curating options that resonate with their personal taste. That’s what makes our service unique.”
Kliger also touched on the recent acquisition of Net-a-Porter by Mytheresa and its implications for the Saudi market.
“Net-a-Porter complements what we do at Mytheresa,” he said. “They’re strong in discovery and editorial, while we focus on highly curated, established luxury brands. Together, we can cater to different corners of the luxury market without diluting our individual strengths.”
As Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy population drives the growth of e-commerce, Kliger emphasized the importance of adapting to the Kingdom’s digital preferences. “Social media usage here is unique, with platforms like TikTok and Snapchat playing a major role in how people interact and shop. Understanding these behaviors is key to connecting with this market,” he said.
With a focus on personalization, community engagement, and digital strategy, Mytheresa is poised to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia’s thriving luxury landscape. “The Saudi market is one of the most dynamic regions for us,” Kliger said.
Amina Muaddi celebrates festive milestone ahead of Beyonce show
DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian shoe designer Amina Muaddi celebrated a major fashion moment this week, taking to Instagram to share her excitement over Beyonce wearing her custom Yigit pumps in a teaser for the star’s NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show on Netflix.
Muaddi shared the video on her Instagram Stories. In the clip, the music icon can be seen wearing the satin heels in black and adorned with studs.
In the clip that Beyonce also shared on her Instagram account, the music sensation was seen holding a banjo, a stringed instrument often linked to folk, country, and bluegrass music. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat paired with sleek sunglasses, a colorful patterned cape featuring red and blue hues, and a rhinestone-adorned top. The outfit was completed with black gloves and a black skirt.
“I’m sending you big joy and love on this cowboy Christmas Eve. I’ll see y’all tomorrow, in my city HTX,” Beyonce wrote to her 313 million followers, referring to Houstan, Texas.
In another teaser posted last week, the singer also chose Amina Muaddi heels — the Begum glass pumps.
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer will headline the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game’s halftime show on Dec. 25, after the Kansas City Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers will play earlier in the day. Both games will feature a special pre-game performance of “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey.
Beyonce seems to be a fan of part-Arab designer Muaddi. During the singer’s Renaissance World Tour last year, she was spotted in Muaddi’s creations on stage on a number of occasions.
“I’m so happy to be part of this queen’s historic tour. Every time I see her on stage I’m in complete awe of her — the ultimate supernova. Grateful to @beyonce and her team of incredible creatives for these @aminamuaddiofficial moments on stage,” Muaddi wrote on Instagram at the time.
Muaddi launched her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, approximately one year after departing from her role as co-founder and creative director of luxury footwear label Oscar Tiye.
The shoemaker’s eponymous label’s distinct pumps, sling-backs, mules, boots and sandals in an array of vibrant colors and holographic designs have since garnered a loyal checklist of famous fans, including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber Baldwin.
Sofia Carson flaunts Lebanese labels at New York performance with Andrea Bocelli
DUBAI: Singer and actress Sofia Carson continued her love affair with powerhouse Lebanese designers at two shows in New York this week, after showing off looks by Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad at promotional events on numerous occasions this year.
Carson performed at New York’s Madison Square Garden alongside legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli this weekend in a scarlet gown from Elie Saab’s Autum/ Winter Couture 2022 line. One day later, she hit the stage for part two of the event in a black, off-the-shoulder taffeta dress from Zuhair Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-Fall 2024 collection.
“As I stepped off stage, my mom, my dream maker, held my hand and asked me what I felt. . . I said ‘I feel elated,’” Carson captioned a carousel of behind-the-scenes shots on Instagram, in which she is wearing Murad’s creation.
In October, the singer and “Purple Hearts” actress was spotted in New York in a caped Elie Saab couture look from the maison’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, while earlier that month she hit the red carpet in Rome in another gown by the designer.
Carson showed off a sea green gown from Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter 2023 couture collection at the “Andrea Bocelli 30 - The Celebration” premiere in Rome.
The A-symmetrical neckline and sweeping ballgown skirt brought a dose of glamor to the red carpet, with Carson opting for a sleek up-do and diamond-and-emerald earrings.
“Honored to have been by your side as we premiered your film,” the actress posted on Instagram alongside a photo in which she is seen posing with Bocelli.
The film chronicles Bocelli's three-day July concert event in Italy honoring his 30th anniversary in the music industry.
Rewind to May and Carson was seen in the French Riviera as she walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in yet another look by Saab. The star opted for an olive-toned ensemble from the designer’s Spring/ Summer 2024 couture collection.
Carson is something of a fan of Lebanon’s couturiers — in 2022 the actress attended the Global Citizen Festival in New York a coordinating look from Zuhair Murad’s Resort 2023 collection, while in late 2023, the actress cut an elegant figure in a Zuhair Murad gown at the second annual Cam for a Cause event in memory of her former co-star Cameron Boyce.
Georgina Rodriguez visits Dior exhibition in Riyadh
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez visited an exhibition celebrating the life and work of fashion designer Christian Dior at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh this weekend.
The Riyadh-based model, who is the long-term partner of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, took to Instagram to share insights about the exhibit, which is running as part of this year’s Riyadh Season.
“Highly recommend to immerse yourself in the ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition in Riyadh. A magical journey through the history of haute couture, showcasing the works of art by visionary designers for 75 years (sic),” Rodriguez captioned a short clip on Instagram.
“Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” is a collaboration between the French fashion house and Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
The event, which runs until April 2, explores the legacy of Dior and his successors through a fresh narrative specially curated for the show by art historian Florence Muller and scenographer Nathalie Criniere.
Highlights include tributes to some of Dior’s classic designs, such as Miss Dior and J’adore, and an homage to the Lady Dior bag in the form of the Dior Lady Art project.
British milliner Stephen Jones, one of Dior’s master creators, was heavily involved in the creation of the exhibition.
“When we were installing the hats, some of the looks I remembered, some I didn't. But many have never been shown before, so it sometimes feels like I’m seeing them for the first time,” Jones told Arab News earlier this month.
