Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining
Updated 09 February 2025
Ghadi Joudah
RIYADH: Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia, titled “Origins,” concluded on Saturday with a total of $17,283,840 in sales in the fine art and luxury categories.
The historic event at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace was a turning point for the Kingdom’s art and luxury scene, with Saudi artists garnering significant attention.
Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, highlighted the significance of the collaboration between Diriyah and Sotheby’s.
“A few years ago, we decided that Sotheby’s, as a 277-year-old brand, had to match up with Diriyah because the value systems were the same, and you can’t be Sotheby’s without being in Diriyah,” he said in his opening remarks.
The modern and contemporary art section featured works by Saudi artists that collectively realized $1.1 million in sales.
Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room. (Supplied)
Mohammed Al-Saleem’s untitled work, sourced directly from the artist’s daughter, led the Saudi work on offer.
The piece, blending abstract Arabic calligraphy with Al-Saleem’s vision of Saudi landscapes, sparked intense competition among four bidders before selling for a remarkable $660,000 — triple its pre-sale estimate.
Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room.
Ahmed Mater’s “Illumination Diptych (Makkiah Tale)” exceeded expectations at $102,000.
Mater, one of Saudi Arabia’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, is internationally celebrated, with works displayed by institutions throughout the Arab world, the UK and the US.
Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million. (Supplied)
Maha Malluh’s “Magadeer” (from the “Food for Thought” series), inspired by the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Najd area of the Kingdom, sold for $84,000, also surpassing its estimate.
When it came to international works, surrealist Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million and Fernando Botero’s “Society Woman” made $1 million. Meanwhile, Banksy’s “Subject to Availability” from his series of vandalised oils, sold for $1.2 million.
The luxury segment dazzled collectors with an extraordinary selection of rare items, such as a Patek Philippe Grand Complication watch, a Cartier diamond necklace from the Art Deco era, and a limited-edition Hermes Birkin bag crafted from exotic leather.
Collectors from 45 countries took part in the auction, demonstrating its global appeal, while nearly one-third of the lots were bought by buyers from Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, more than 30 percent of participants were under the age of 40, reflecting the growing interest in art and luxury items among younger generations.
Malone Souliers designers talk Middle East ties and signature looks
Updated 06 July 2025
Hanadi Merchant-Habib
DUBAI: As luxury footwear brand Malone Souliers continues to evolve under new creative leadership, its designers open up about their connection to the Arab world, their design process and why wearability always comes first.
Since its creation in 2014 by Mary Alice Malone, footwear label Malone Souliers has built a cult following. From Beyonce sporting a bespoke pair of fringed boots during a performance to Jennifer Lawrence stepping out in their iconic “Maureen” pumps, the brand’s celebrity fanbase is long-standing and ever-growing.
Known for its distinctive silhouettes, rich colour palettes and sculptural lines, the brand has carved out a significant niche in the luxury footwear space. Under the creative direction of Coco Fong and Valerio Bava, the London-based label is evolving — staying true to its design roots while embracing new ideas and deepening its presence in the Middle East.
While both designers officially assumed their roles in 2023, their journey with the brand began much earlier.
“We’ve been part of the brand for a long time — I joined two years after it was founded. Now that we’re leading the creative, it feels like a natural continuation of something we’ve always helped shape,” Bava said.
Their aesthetic blends feminine silhouettes with subtle nods to nostalgia, drawing inspiration from vintage references, pop culture and personal memories. While rooted in storytelling, their designs remain grounded in practicality — shoes made to be worn, not just admired.
“I think at the end of the day, we’re both quite practical in how we think. That mindset naturally comes through in the shoes — we never want them to feel overly fussy or difficult to wear. I want to be able to slip them on easily, and I want my mum to feel the same. We design shoes that are meant to be lived in,” Fong said.
Craftsmanship is critical to the Malone Souliers approach. The brand’s shoes are made primarily in Italy, with a close relationship between the designers and the artisans who bring each prototype to life. From sketch to sample, wearability is considered at every stage.
“Even the most expressive designs go through rounds of testing to ensure they’re comfortable and durable. We take that process seriously,” Bava said.
In the brand’s journey, the Middle East has emerged as one of its most engaged markets. “The region has become one of our biggest champions,” Fong said. “We receive consistent feedback — from buyers, from clients — and that dialogue has helped shape the way we design. There’s a real openness and honesty from customers here, and that has made the relationship incredibly valuable.”
In 2022, the brand partnered with Arab designer Dima Ayad on an exclusive capsule facilitated by footwear department store Level Shoes. The collaboration highlighted Malone Souliers’ interest in working with regional creatives and marked the beginning of a more localised strategy.
“I think what really connected us was her love of color and materials, which aligns closely with what we value in our own designs,” Fong said. “The silhouettes were kept simple, but there was a strong focus on texture and detail — plisse, pleats, shimmer, lurex and mesh—all elements we naturally gravitate towards in our collections.”
Looking ahead, the brand is continuing to expand its product offering, including a growing accessories line. When asked to choose one style that encapsulates their joint creative direction, Fong and Bava point to the Roxanne — a mule with a new block heel, combining comfort and simplicity but equally cool.
“It’s the kind of shoe we’ve always aimed to create. It feels modern, feminine and very much in line with what Malone Souliers stands for today,” Bava said.
DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid is no stranger to Chopard, having worn the luxury jewelry house’s creations on numerous red carpets over the years.
This week, the brand shared new campaign images of Hadid wearing pieces from its high jewelry collection ahead of Paris Couture Week.
In one of the images, Hadid wears a diamond necklace featuring a large yellow gemstone at its center. In another, she wears a coordinated jewelry set consisting of sapphire and diamond drop earrings, matching necklace, and a statement ring.
“@BellaHadid embodies the essence of High Jewelery — radiant, refined, unforgettable. A tribute to timeless glamor ahead of Paris Couture Week,” the brand wrote on Instagram.
The model’s collaboration with Chopard began in 2017 when she became one of the faces of the brand’s high jewelry collections. Since then, she has appeared in several campaigns and has worn Chopard pieces at major international events, including the Cannes Film Festival, Met Gala, and Paris Fashion Week.
Hadid has had a busy summer. In June, with the help of close friends, she expanded her beauty brand Orebella with a range of accessories.
The model and entrepreneur teamed up with Wildflower Cases co-founders Sydney and Devon Lee Carlson to launch a limited-edition collaboration featuring two new products: an iPhone case and a “scentable wristlet.”
Hadid took to Instagram to announce the launch, writing: “Feeling like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to be creative with my beauty boss sisters. Life is beautiful when we have the opportunity to watch our friends winning. So proud of you two. So proud of our teams. So proud of us. Love you all — thank you for bringing this vision to life.
“Cases ANDDDD our most special scented wristlets to keep the Orebella scent of your choice on you at all times! Been wanting to make this accessory for a while, had the idea for scented bracelets and wristlets, and my sisters pulled it all together for us,” she added.
In June, Ulta Beauty, one of the largest beauty retailers in the US, awarded Orebella its “conscious brand of the year” title, highlighting the label’s ethical practices and sustainable packaging.
Hadid announced the news on Instagram, saying: “Thank you to our Ulta Beauty family for recognizing our commitment to creating a healthy daily ritual for all.”
US Qatari Sophia Al-Maria wins 2025 Frieze Artist Award
Updated 05 July 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: US Qatari artist and writer Sophia Al-Maria has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 Frieze Artist Award, one of the art world’s most highly anticipated annual commissions.
The award is part of Frieze London, a leading international art fair that will return to Regent’s Park from Oct. 15-19, bringing together more than 280 galleries from 45 countries.
Presented in partnership with Forma, the award supports early- to mid-career artists in debuting new works. This year, Al-Maria will perform “Wall Based Work (a Trompe LOL),” a live stand-up comedy show held daily inside the fair tent.
Based in London, Al-Maria works across drawing, collage, sculpture, film and writing. (Supplied)
The work marks Al-Maria’s first attempt at stand-up, in which she will blend sharp humor with her long-standing interest in mythology, empire and pop culture.
“In partnership with Forma, we are proud to continue supporting artist-centered programming,” said Eva Langret, director of Frieze EMEA. “Al-Maria’s debut stand-up promises a collective experience exploring vulnerability, creativity, shared anxieties and LOLs.”
Sophia Al-Maria, ‘Mothership,’ 2017. (Supplied)
Meanwhile, Chris Rawcliffe, artistic director at Forma, said: “By wielding humor as a tool for survival, Al-Maria not only provokes reflection but actively reshapes the cultural conversation … Al-Maria is more than an artist and critic, she is a catalyst for change, and an indispensable voice in both the art world and the wider social landscape.”
Al-Maria’s proposal was selected by a jury of leading industry professionals, including curator and museum consultant Lydia Yee and the artistic director of exhibitions at Ikon Gallery, Melanie Pocock, artistic director of exhibitions at Ikon Gallery, as well as Langret and Rawcliffe.
Based in London, Al-Maria works across drawing, collage, sculpture, film and writing. Her practice is unified by a focus on storytelling and mythmaking, often reimagining histories and envisioning speculative futures. Her work has been shown at major institutions and biennales, including the Gwangju Biennale, the New Museum and Whitney Museum in New York, the Venice Biennale, and Tate Britain.
A closer look at the 11 Saudi designers who exhibited during Paris Fashion Week last month
Updated 04 July 2025
Jean Grogan
PARIS: During Paris Men’s Fashion Week last month, the Saudi 100 Brands showcase by Tranoï took over the fifth floor of the LVMH-owned La Samaritaine department store in the French capital. Eleven Saudi designers showcased their creativity in an initiative from the Saudi Fashion Commission.
The top floor of the iconic address, with its historic peacock-mosaic frieze, Gustav Eiffel wrought-ironwork, and spectacular glass ceiling provided the perfect setting for the originality and exuberance of the young designers presenting their craftsmanship and heritage.
Visitors at the Saudi 100 Brands showcase in Paris. (Supplied)
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia, said: “Saudi Arabia is a fantastic hub of talent and expertise. This showroom at La Samaritaine represents a major opportunity for Saudi designers to showcase their collections during Paris Fashion Week. It is also a powerful way to strengthen ties between the Saudi Fashion Commission and international fashion players, including Tranoï.”
Here, we run down the 11 brands on show.
1886
Saudi streetwear brand 1886 on display in Paris. (Supplied)
Launched in 2016, 1886 was Saudi’s first premium streetwear brand. Renowned for its quality denim, the brand launched T-shirts this year featuring Jeddah, Al Ula and Abha to celebrate its Saudi heritage. Co-founder Fahad Aljomiah has a “Designed in KSA” sign on his office wall as a daily inspiration for his team. “We have the talent, knowledge, taste and willingness to work hard to set the industry standard, to put KSA definitely on the international fashion map,” he told Arab News.
REBIRTH
Tala Abukhaled launched her eco-friendly luxury resortwear label three years ago, to breathe new life into Saudi artistic craftsmanship and cultural traditions. “My clients tend to be people who love to travel, they’re adventurous, free-spirited and eco-conscious,” she said. One of Abukhaled’s recurring motifs is the integration of raffia made from palm fronds, and woven into macramé detailing. Her palette for her latest collection — Resort 25 — is neutral sand, with hot pink, tangerine orange and olive green.
AWAKEN
“Our slogan is ‘Open your eyes.’ We want to encourage people to wake up to their life, not to live in a virtual world,” said Khalid Almasoud, founder of the Riyadh-based streetwear brand. The brand’s logo is jaquard woven or serigraphed onto many of their pieces.
WAAD ALOQAILI COUTURE
Each intricate creation of this label — founded in 2019 by sisters Waad and Ahlam Aloqaili — is strongly rooted in Saudi tradition, crafted with emotional elegance and cultural depth, with the goal of empowering women. Aloqaili’s hand-beaded teal and emerald mermaid gown with short train stole the show.
ELEVEN
Fusing innovation with comfort, the collection from this Riyadh-based label — bold, distinctive and contemporary —was entirely produced in Saudi, reflecting a strong local identity ready to be exported to the wider world.
HAJRUSS
Hajruss is a contemporary streetwear label fusing innovation and craftsmanship in its creations. The brand combines modernity and tradition, with particular attention to detail and high-end materials. “Each collection is a dialogue between heritage and innovation — where clothing becomes a medium for storytelling,” the catalogue for the showcase stated.
MIRAI
Mirai co-founders Abdulrahman Tarabeh (L) and Omar Shabra. (Supplied)
Mirai means ‘future’ in Japanese. The label fuses Saudi culture, style and energy with Japanese minimalism and attention to detail. “We chose the name Mirai because we believe that timelessness is the future,” said co-founder Abdulrahman Tarabeh. “We don’t follow trends, we don’t follow any fashion calendar; whatever we enjoy making, we make. With Omar (Shabra, his co-founder), we want to create a community where people can tell their personal stories through their clothes.’ Tarabeh pointed out a white jacket with tiny brown dots, “This is one of our signature designs. We sourced the fabric from Tuscany, Italy, and it’s coffee-washed,” he said. “The buttons are engraved with Sakura, Japanese cherry blossom.”
RAZAN ALAZZOUNI
With a background in sculpture and fine arts from Tufts University, Razan Alazzouni is known for “blending art, femininity, and craftsmanship” in her designs, which are “sculptural, delicate, and timeless” and “celebrate soft glamour and Saudi heritage through refined, handcrafted pieces made in her Riyadh atelier,” according to the catalogue.
RBA
Founded in 2017 in New York City, this “cross-cultural Saudi fashion brand” merges bold design, premium quality, and urban aesthetics to create unique streetwear pieces. “Each design is more than clothing — it’s a story woven with symbolism, culture, and modern elegance,” the catalogue stated. “RBA creates pieces that celebrate diversity, sustainability, and artistic expression.”
REEM ALKANHAL
Designer Reem Alkanhal in front of her eponymous label's collection. (Supplied)
This label designs clothing for women who like to express their femininity with simple elegance. The Sword collection, created for the show, “reflects this vision — merging traditional symbolism with modern sophistication for the confident, contemporary woman,” according to the catalogue.
YASMINA Q
Yasmina Q is a comtemporary womenwear label that seeks to create positive change through working mindfully with local communities, with a focus on knitwear. “We’re very focused on sustainably. I’m based in Saudi, we source our yarn from Italy and produce in London. Each piece we produce has zero waste,” said founder Yasmina Qanzal.
Saudi luxury brand Lavish Concepts opens London atelier
Updated 04 July 2025
Jasmine Bager
LONDON: On June 26, the luxury lifestyle brand Lavish Concepts, founded by Saudi businesswomen Nada Altobaishi and Hala Al-Sharekh, opened an atelier in Chiswick, London.
Described as “a slow, salon-style shopping experience,” the atelier showcases a carefully curated selection of fashion, jewelry and objets d’art that blend artisanal skill, cultural heritage and contemporary design. It is the first permanent home for Lavish Concepts, which has previously only staged temporary pop-ups in the UK capital.
“We wanted to reframe how people experience luxury: less noise, more nuance,” Altobaishi tells Arab News. “The Chiswick Atelier captures that in every detail. It’s not about volume; it’s about storytelling and voice.”
Lavish Concepts' co-founders Nada Altobaishi and Hala Al-Sharekh in their new London atelier on its launch night. (Supplied/Naela El Assad)
Nine Saudi brands are featured, including Dalsh Designs, Herfah, Yarakech, and Qormuz. The wider lineup also includes products from brands originating in the UK, US, UAE, Oman, Morocco and Jordan.
“Each selection is deeply intentional. With the Saudi brands, we looked for designers who are redefining heritage — not discarding it — and reworking it into something unapologetically current and wearable,” Al-Sharekh, officially designated as Lavish Concepts’ “brand visionary,” says.
Positioning Lavish Atelier as a “slow, salon-style” space rather than a conventional boutique was a deliberate decision on the part of its founders.
“The stories behind these pieces and our partner brands deserve more than a passing glance,” says Altobaishi. “We wanted a space that encourages pause; a place where conversation and great craftsmanship are given equal weight.”
The pair’s Saudi identity shapes every element of the atelier, says Al-Sharekh. “From the aesthetics to the hospitality, the way we curate is always filtered through a very Saudi sense of meaning and memory.”
So far, Lavish Concepts has yet to stage an event in Saudi Arabia, but plans are in place to do so within the next 18 months, the founders say.
Meanwhile, they hope that visitors to this new permanent home in London will walk away with a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship and cultural richness behind each piece.
“This isn’t just an event, it’s an invitation to participate in the Lavish lifestyle. We hope people leave feeling like they’ve stepped into a slower, more considered rhythm, one that stays with them well beyond the double doors,” Altobaishi concludes.
