When it comes to personal grooming, it seems it is all about women, which is not very accurate. This perception has partly been formed since the markets are mostly full of beauty and personal care products for women.
This trend is, however, changing with several global and local brands offering grooming products for men. Layth Co. is one such company that offers natural beard grooming products such as oils, balm, mustache waxes.
Founded by Mansour Barri in 2019, the company’s products help in soothing men’s facial hair and skin, control beardruff (dandruff in beard) and gives beards healthier and nicer look. The company’s products are made of natural oils and butters. The idea of beard grooming came to Barri when one of his friends suggested he keep a beard, as it would look nice on him.
Barri told Arab News he acted on his friend’s advice and started growing a beard. He said he liked the idea and the changed look. After a few weeks, he entered the phase when he had to take care of his facial hair to maintain a tidy look. “I started to give it special attention and care and bought all sorts of products to maintain it.”
It was then Barri realized there was a shortage of beard grooming products in the Saudi market. This led him to launch his line of products to cater to the needs of an important market segment. He went to one of Jeddah’s famous salons and asked for beard oils. He was shocked when the barber told him he had never heard of such a thing. “I was shocked at that moment. How come that Arabs who are traditionally known for keeping beards never thought of beard care products? That incident sparked an idea in my head, why shouldn’t I introduce beard care products to the Arab world? There are a whole lot of beard product brands around the world, but only a few that are Arab.”
He immediately started contacting suppliers and comparing their oils and testing them on himself. Layth means male lion in Arabic, and for Barri a beard represents a lion’s mane. Barri is trying to break the stereotype that men do not take care of their appearance or that only women care about their image.
“I believe the opposite is happening, as most men that I know visit a salon once a week or every alternate week.” The company offers its products online via its web portal (www.layth.co). Products are shipped locally and internationally, and Barri hopes to expand his project with the launch of a salon that specializes in beard grooming and care. Keep up with the beard care brand on Instagram (@layth.co).
Startup of the Week: Natural products making beard maintenance easy
https://arab.news/4ywsy
Startup of the Week: Natural products making beard maintenance easy
- Founded by Mansour Barri in 2019, the company’s products help in soothing men’s facial hair and skin, control beardruff (dandruff in beard) and gives beards healthier and nicer look
Imaan Hammam suits up for 2025 Met Gala
DUBAI: Fashion’s biggest night got underway this week at the Met Gala in a rainy Manhattan, and part-Arab celebrities turned heads with their looks.
Dutch Egyptian Moroccan model Imaan Hammam donned a white tailored suit by Polish designer Magda Butrym, featuring a fitted waist, structured shoulders and wide-leg trousers. She paired it with a black shirt and a polka dot tie.
Her look included a black cane with a silver handle and silver pointed-toe heels. She topped off the outfit with a black headpiece made of flowers and long feathers.
Among the guests was, of course, US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid.
The runway star wore a metallic gold halter-neck gown with a fitted silhouette and a gathered waist. The dress featured sequins and embellishments throughout, along with a slight train that extended behind her.
She completed the look with statement earrings and styled her hair in soft vintage waves with a rolled front section.
Saudi Arabia-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez wore a black satin gown with lace detailing along the neckline and waist. The dress featured a thigh-high slit and a floor-length train. She accessorized her look with pointed black heels and a diamond necklace.
This year’s Met Gala marks two major milestones: it is the first to spotlight Black designers, and the first in over two decades to center on menswear. The theme was inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
The event was co-hosted by Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky.
Rihanna closed out the evening in signature fashion, revealing her newly announced baby bump. Her Marc Jacobs look included tied sleeves of a men’s suit that served as a bustle behind her as she posed for the cameras.
A$AP Rocky, who is both co-chair and the father of Rihanna’s child, responded to congratulations on the carpet. “It feels amazing. It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up. And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ‘cause we definitely happy, you know,” he told reporters on the red carpet.
Georgina Rodriguez jets to New York for Charlotte Tilbury launch
DUBAI: Riyadh-based Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez flew to New York this week to mark the launch of a new product by British cosmetics brand Charlotte Tilbury.
Rodriguez also stars in a campaign for the brand, which she previewed on social media late last week.
“Super Nudes are my contour SUPER POWER! Had the most incredible time working on this campaign with @CharlotteTilbury! You need to try her new Super Nudes Contour System - it’s like Shapewear for your face (sic),” the model captioned an Instagram post about the new contouring makeup product.
Rodriguez then flew to New York to attend a launch event hosted by the brand before posing for photos in Times Square.
Rodriguez, who moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023 alongside her longtime partner Cristiano Ronaldo, has been making headlines as of late with a number of advertising campaigns.
Most recently, Ronaldo and Rodriguez appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic, with Rodriguez saying “yalla” after selecting the cruise on her phone and Ronaldo replying with a cheerful “yalla,” meaning “let’s go.”
The campaign then transitions into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, showcasing panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors, and their private accommodation on board.
She is also known for giving fans a peek into her life in Saudi Arabia through her Instagram account. One standout moment in April was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.”
Rodriguez also shares snippets of her personal routine in Riyadh and recently shared a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.
The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Saudi Arabia, where she lives with football star Ronaldo and their children.
In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.
Saudi fashion event highlights retail trends, youth culture, and digital innovation
- Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves
RIYADH: A Riyadh fashion seminar on Sunday brought together industry leaders and creatives to explore the future of Saudi Arabia’s fashion economy.
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
The agenda focused on three main themes: the evolution of fashion retail in the Kingdom; the role of cultural identity in building brands; and the rising importance of digital fashion and collaboration.
“Our role is to accelerate the journey from creativity to commercial viability by equipping designers with the tools, mentorship and infrastructure needed to build scalable brands,” Chalhoub CEO, Michael Chalhoub told Arab News.
“By creating initiatives like the Fashion Lab, the Ibtikar program, and accelerator partnerships, we provide a framework that supports emerging talent at every step.”
An awards ceremony honored the standout talents of this year’s cohort: APOA, Awaken, Bucketbox, Mona Al-Shebil, Noble & Fresh, Nora Al-Shaikh, Rebirth, Samar Nasraldin, The Untitled Project and USCITA.
One discussion explored consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the local market continues to grow despite global slowdowns.
Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves.
Retail experiences — both physical and digital — were emphasized as key to engaging Saudi consumers.
Youth culture, streetwear and sports are shaping brand narratives, a panel heard. Speakers discussed how fashion is being used as a tool for cultural storytelling, with an emphasis on grassroots creativity and community building.
Another topic highlighted the power of collaboration between local and international brands. Panelists discussed the importance of long-term partnerships, manufacturing localization, and mentorship to bridge gaps in knowledge and infrastructure.
Speakers also addressed the future of digital fashion, including virtual design, retail innovation, and new marketing strategies targeting Gen Z.
Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the regional and global fashion economy was a prominent theme of the discussions.
Gigi Hadid confirms relationship with first photo on social media
DUBAI: In a new post on social media, supermodel Gigi Hadid has confirmed her long-rumored relationship with partner Bradley Cooper with her first-ever photograph of the couple together.
The US Dutch Palestinian model took to Instagram on Saturday night to share photographs of her 30th birthday party, held in late April in New York. In the carousel of images, Hadid can be seen kissing Cooper while standing behind a tiered birthday cake.
Social media commenters, and news outlets, quickly spotted the post and dubbed it the “hard launch” of their relationship.
Hadid, 30, and Cooper, 50, were first linked in October 2023.
"I feel so lucky to be 30!" Hadid captioned her post. "I feel so lucky for every high and low - for all the lessons and gifts both have brought me. To get to feel it all! I’m so lucky to be a mom, friend, partner, sister, daughter, colleague to some of the most unbelievable humans!!"
"So lucky for the support and encouragement from all of YOU around the world, every day and on my birthday last week," she continued. "I had the best time celebrating, and it’s a blessing to feel so loved!! I am grateful and honored to take on a new decade."
Cooper shares daughter Lea De Seine, 8, with model Irina Shayk while Hadid shares her daughter Khai, 4, with One Direction alum Zayn Malik.
The birthday party was held at Le Chalet in New York City on April 25.
Hadid entered the venue with Oscar nominee Cooper, and met up with her sister Bella Hadid, mother Yolanda Hadid, father Mohamed Hadid, Russian media personality Keni Silva and US actress Anne Hathaway, among others.
Gigi’s birthday was on April 23, and the internet was abuzz with celebrities, designers, family and friends who sent birthday wishes to the supermodel as she turned 30.
Bella shared a carousel of photos on Instagram to celebrate, writing: “IT’S GIGI DAY EVERYONE SAY IT WITH ME. HAPPPYYY 30th BIRTHDAYYYY JELENAAAA.”
Yolanda Hadid, Gigi’s mother, took a moment to reflect on her daughter’s 30-year journey. “Thirty years went by in a flash, 10,950 days to be exact but there hasn’t been one day without you on my mind,” she wrote, sharing photos of Gigi from babyhood to recent moments.
Victoria Beckham drops capsule collection with Mideast retailer
- British singer and designer launches in Dubai with influencers
- Beckham expresses ‘joy’ over women here wearing her designs
DUBAI: British fashion designer and singer Victoria Beckham hosted an intimate dinner in Dubai this week with some of the city’s leading style influencers to celebrate her exclusive capsule collection with Middle Eastern online luxury retailer Ounass.
The collaboration includes a dedicated pop-up at the Ounass Maison, located in Dubai’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jumeirah.
It features a curated selection of Spring/Summer 2025 pieces, including designs created specifically for the Middle East. The collection is also available online.
“So excited to be here in Dubai to celebrate my capsule for @ounass,” she wrote on Instagram. “Coming here and seeing how Emirati women are wearing my clothes and making them their own brings me so much joy.”
The dinner was attended by several fashion influencers, including Karen Wazen, her sister Andrea Wazen, Dima Al-Sheikhly, Dana Hourani, Sossi Wartanian, Jessica Kahawaty, Deema Al-Asadi and Rym Saidi.
Guests posed for photos with Beckham, who wore a shiny silver-white satin dress featuring a one-shoulder design, soft draping across the bodice, and a gathered detail at the hip that flowed into an asymmetrical hem. She completed the look with clear pointed heels.
Beckham attended the event with her youngest daughter, Harper Seven, 13, who matched her mother in a sleek, floor-length satin gown in a light silver shade.
Harper’s dress featured thin spaghetti straps, a straight neckline, and a smooth, fitted silhouette. She completed the look with a black clutch.
Victoria was not the only member of the Beckham household making fashion headlines this week.
Her husband, football legend David Beckham, is also making a foray into the fashion world with the announcement of a major new collaboration.
In Spring/Summer 2025, BOSS will launch “BECKHAM x BOSS,” the brand’s first collection co-designed with David.
The pieces will draw inspiration from the star’s personal style, and promises to blend modern tailoring with heritage influences.
“We have been very much looking forward to this launch and are more than excited to see how these pieces are received by our end consumers,” said Daniel Grieder, CEO of Hugo Boss, in a statement.
“This collection is based on our strategic priority that product is key and our goal to seamlessly dress our customers for every occasion with our brands.”
