Celebrity-loved Saudi designer Yousef Akbar: Fashion Trust Arabia win was ‘life-changing’ 

Being a fashion designer was never a childhood dream for Akbar. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 April 2023
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Celebrity-loved Saudi designer Yousef Akbar: Fashion Trust Arabia win was ‘life-changing’ 

  • In 2017, his business almost went under. Now, Akbar is one of the Gulf’s most in-demand creatives 

DUBAI: Saudi fashion designer Yousef Akbar was all over the news as US actress Sharon Stone wore one of his creations to the 2023 Women’s Cancer Research Fund gala in Beverly Hills.  

Stone isn’t the first celebrity that Akbar has dressed, either. Since the launch of his brand in 2016, Akbar’s avant-garde creations have been championed by other A-listers, including American supermodel Chrissy Teigen and former Destiny’s Child star and Beyoncé bandmate Kelly Rowland.  

Being a fashion designer was never a childhood dream for Akbar, he tells Arab News. He studied supply-chain management at university and — outside of academia — was a keen, and talented, ten-pin bowler.   

Akbar says that during his childhood in Jeddah he used to love sketching and drawing, but a career in the arts was not something he ever considered.  

“Being an artist or a designer was so unthinkable that it wasn’t even worth dreaming about — it was completely out of the question,” he says.  

Akbar’s parents were fairly traditional and wanted him to focus on a steady career for his future, so he spent most of his adolescence studying. In his spare time, he went bowling. He was good enough to earn a spot on the national team, competing at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha where Saudi Arabia won a bronze medal in the team of five event.  

“We were very successful, and King Abdullah invited us to the palace to reward us,” Akbar says. “We were asked to write a letter with our request (for the reward), and I asked for a scholarship for higher education, which was granted.” Soon after, he headed to Australia to study logistics and supply-chain management at the University of Sydney.  

As a student, he loved going on shopping trips with friends. Although he couldn’t splurge as much as he would have liked to. “Coming from a regular middle-class family and being on a student allowance, I didn’t have thousands of dollars to shop. Also, I couldn’t find the type of clothes I wanted to wear in regular menswear stores,” he explains. “So, towards the end of my Master’s degree, I started looking for fashion courses where I could learn to make my own clothes.”   

He signed up for a fashion design degree at Ultimo, a technical and further education college in Sydney. Initially, he was disappointed in the course.   




Chrissy Teigen with her husband John Legend in LA in 2019 wearing a Yousef Akbar dress. (Supplied)

“Once I got in, I thought I would be able to pick tailoring as a subject — you know, learn how to make a jacket for myself and get out of there. But tailoring was a second-year subject, so I had to complete the first year to get there. Additionally, womenswear was compulsory in the first year, which really annoyed me — I was barely interested in menswear, let alone womenswear,” he says.  

However, as he got into the swing of things and started learning about design, something clicked, and Akbar discovered this was something he wanted to take seriously. “Once I had that realization, I worked hard and was fortunate enough to graduate top of my class in 2016,” he says.  

That same year, he launched his eponymous brand — a commitment he was perhaps not quite ready for in retrospect.  




Akbar (bottom right) and his national bowling squad teammates meet King Abdullah after winning bronze at the Asian Games in 2006. (Supplied)

“If I’d known how difficult it is to start a label, I wouldn’t have done it,” he says. “The fashion business can be complex and isn’t something they teach in depth at fashion school.”  

He adds that starting a brand takes a lot of money, and as a graduate student; his savings fell short. “Another challenge was realizing that graduating top of your class means nothing. There are (plenty of) talented designers out there, all competing for a handful of stores, clients, buyers and PR placements. Talent alone isn’t enough.”  

Despite his collection being well received and Teigen wearing one of his dresses to the 2016 American Music Awards, the sales weren’t coming through. He contacted countless buyers and stores without getting a response. It got to the point where if someone wrote back with a “No,” he would take solace in the fact that they had at least looked at his collection. Then, in 2017, a disagreement with a PR agency in 2017 meant that his brand had to hit pause temporarily. “They scammed me out of my money, putting me out of business,” he says. “So even if I had an order, I had no resources to make it. But it was a life lesson, and now I’m wiser.” 

A year and a half later, he heard about the prestigious Fashion Trust Arabia competition and decided to apply for it.  

“I was so surprised to be a finalist and even more surprised to win it,” says Akbar. Winning the 2020 prize in the evening wear category turned things around almost instantly for him. Aside from the significant prize money, Akbar also received mentorship from some of the biggest names in the fashion industry.  

“Part of our prize was collaborating with (prestigious London department store) Harrods, and if it did well, they said they would continue to buy. Thankfully that’s still a success,” Akbar says.  

The designer considers himself extremely fortunate to have crossed paths with FTA co-chairs Tania Fares and Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa (the sister of the ruler of Qatar).  

“For so long, you think it’s impossible to make it and are shut out of this business. People tell you, ‘You’re so talented’ and yet nothing’s working — it’s disheartening. In retrospect, I could have had a great job and an incredible income with my degree in logistics, but I was still living the poor student life in the fashion world. So when you get this big break, it’s life-changing,” he says.  

Akbar now works out of a design studio in Sydney with a small team on a freelance basis and often commissions artisans in India to produce his embroidery. 

He recently partnered with an LA-based PR agency specializing in celebrity placements, leading to Stone and Alicia Keys wearing pieces from his Spring/Summer 2023 collection.  

“It’s incredible seeing all these different women wearing my dresses, and Sharon Stone is exactly the kind of woman I want to dress,” he says.  

Clearly, things are moving in the right direction. Akbar’s expert draping and bold designs have captured the attention of international stylists and stockists. His advice to emerging designers? “Do this because you truly love it, stay true to yourself, don’t compare your journey with others,” he says. “And have thick skin.”  


Ariana Grande sets off on ‘Wicked: For Good’ promotions in Elie Saab gown

Updated 12 sec ago
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Ariana Grande sets off on ‘Wicked: For Good’ promotions in Elie Saab gown

DUBAI: US singer, songwriter and actor Ariana Grande is back in the spotlight as she kicks off the press tour for her highly anticipated film “Wicked: For Good” — and her first promotional look has fans enchanted.

The Grammy-winning star took to Instagram to unveil a series of photos from the film’s promo, styled by celebrity favorite Law Roach. For the occasion, Grande stepped out in an archival Elie Saab Haute Couture gown from 2004. The pale yellow-green creation, delicately embellished with lavender floral appliques, offered a romantic, weightless silhouette that nodded to her character Glinda’s ethereal charm — without tipping into costume territory.

She paired the gown with cream-toned heels and understated diamond jewelry for a touch of sparkle. Makeup artist Matthew Anthony completed the look with a soft glam palette — pink eyeshadow, diffused cat-eye liner, rosy lips, and sculpted cheeks — while her hair, worn in a sleek half-up, half-down style, framed her face elegantly.

Grande is no stranger to Arab fashion talent. In 2023 she was photographed wearing Lebanese designer Andrea Wazen’s Double Jeu platform heels in white while filming “Wicked.” The singer-actor has long championed Middle Eastern designers on and off the red carpet.

The 32-year-old shared behind-the-scenes snaps from the set, including moments with co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba. In one shot, Grande — sporting platinum blonde hair in a ponytail — wore a pink polka-dot dress and white elbow-length gloves, channeling vintage glamour.

“Wicked: For Good,” which is set for release in November, continues the beloved saga, following Elphaba in exile and Glinda basking in the grandeur of Emerald City. The star-studded cast includes Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar about returning as Glinda, a role she previously portrayed on stage, Grande called it “such a homecoming for me… I feel like I came home to myself.” If her opening look is any indication, this press tour promises a spellbinding mix of cinematic magic and high-fashion moments.
 


Alana Hadid wears keffiyeh dress in Copenhagen

Updated 10 August 2025
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Alana Hadid wears keffiyeh dress in Copenhagen

DUBAI: On the closing day of Copenhagen Fashion Week, US Palestinian model, creative director and human rights activist Alana Hadid — who is the sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid — made a striking political and fashion statement when she wore a keffiyeh gown from Mailliw by William.

“I wear my pride wherever I go,” Hadid wrote on Instagram, posting photos of the gown as she strode down the street in Copenhagen.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Alana Hadid (@lanzybear)

Hadid on Wednesday took to Instagram to explain the symbolism behind the keffiyeh print and spotlight designers who have “highlighted the Palestinian cause over the years.”

Hadid recently sat down for an interview with The New Arab where she talked about her activism. “I’ve been talking about Palestine for a long time, and I’ve been saying that I’m a Palestinian for a long time, which, in a lot of ways, for a lot of people, was a revolutionary act,” she said. 

“As a family, we’ve generated quite a large platform, and I felt like I would be ridiculous if I didn’t use it for this cause.”

Meanwhile, last year, her sister Bella Hadid also made a powerful fashion statement on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival by wearing a red-and-white dress inspired by the keffiyeh. The dress was by US designers Michael Sears and Hushi Mortezaie in 2001.

Bella shared pictures of the dress with her 61.1 million followers on Instagram, describing the ensemble as “a beautiful way to represent the history, labor of love, resilience, and most importantly the art of historic Palestinian embroidery.”

She then explained the meanings behind the patterns of the Palestinian keffiyeh, and how they symbolize various themes.

The olive leaves represent “strength, resilience and perseverance,” she wrote. 

“The larger part of the keffiyeh is the fishnet pattern, which resembles the relationship between the Palestinian fisherman and the sea. It symbolizes abundance and grace,” she said. “To many of us, the sea also means freedom, especially to Palestinians living in the West Bank (who) have no access to the sea due to restricted movement.”

She added that the sea waves resemble the “strength and resilience” of those who “persevered after 73 years under military occupation and oppression.”


‘Andor’ star Denise Gough calls on celebrities to speak up for Gaza

Updated 10 August 2025
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‘Andor’ star Denise Gough calls on celebrities to speak up for Gaza

DUBAI: Irish actress Denise Gough, who most recently rose to fame with her fan favorite role in “Star Wars” series “Andor,” has urged fellow public figures to use their platforms to advocate for Palestinians, following her speech at the March for Gaza at Downing Street in London.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Gough said she was invited by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to speak out and also to deliver a poem by Palestinian poet and activist Nour Abdel Latif, called “If I Must Starve.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Denise Gough (@denisegough1)

“The point of my being there was to encourage people with platforms to speak up,” Gough wrote. “I understand the fears. They are not nothing. But we are now at one of the darkest moments in our history.”

She said that celebrities often receive more attention than “healthcare workers, journalists and, most importantly, the Palestinians themselves,” making it imperative for high-profile voices to “centralise and amplify Palestinian voices.”

Gough urged people to “support verified families directly, march, be visible, boycott, educate,” adding: “The more people that do it the less fearful we need to be. It’s time for action.”

She described standing with demonstrators as “being on the right side of history,” telling followers, “It feels better … making noise.”

Gough also thanked Abdel Latif “for the privilege of speaking” her words and praised “the millions all over the world who energise me and who have created a community that nourishes rather than punishes.”

She ended her post with the words: “Free Palestine.”


 


Catherine Zeta-Jones sports Karen Wazen shades in New York

Updated 09 August 2025
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Catherine Zeta-Jones sports Karen Wazen shades in New York

DUBAI: Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones was spotted this week in New York wearing sunglasses from Dubai-based eyewear label By Karen Wazen, founded by the Lebanese influencer. 

The actress was in New York to promote season two of Netflix’s hit series “Wednesday” on “Good Morning America.”

She opted for the Lily shades, a bold, oversized cat-eye design in glossy black acetate with dark lenses and gold logo detailing on the temples. 

The actress was in New York to promote season two of Netflix’s hit series “Wednesday” on “Good Morning America.” (Getty Images)

For one appearance, she styled the sunglasses with a fitted black peplum jacket and matching midi skirt, both adorned with vibrant red floral embroidery cascading from the waist and sleeves down the skirt. She completed the look with glossy red pointed-toe stilettos for a pop of color.

Zeta-Jones also incorporated the Karen Wazen shades into another New York look, pairing them with a form-fitting, midi dress featuring a white base, dark burgundy floral patterns and subtle grey streaks. The dress, draped and gathered at the waist, was layered with a classic beige trench coat worn loosely over her shoulders.

Zeta-Jones also incorporated the Karen Wazen shades into another New York look, pairing them with a form-fitting, midi dress. (Instagram)

“Wednesday” follows the teenage years of Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, as she attends Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts with supernatural abilities. While honing her emerging psychic powers, she becomes involved in solving a murder mystery connected to her family’s past.

Zeta-Jones plays Morticia Addams, Wednesday’s glamorous, gothic and fiercely devoted mother. In season two, Morticia takes on a more central role, moving to the Nevermore Academy campus in a philanthropic position and becoming more involved in her daughter’s life, often to Wednesday’s irritation. 

Zeta-Jones stars alongside Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams, with new cast additions including Steve Buscemi, Thandiwe Newton and Lady Gaga.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

The cast has been actively promoting the new season with appearances and events in the lead-up to its release set for Sept. 3. 

For the press tour in London, Ortega championed Arab talent by wearing a head-turning gown from Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi’s label, Ashi Studio. The dress took more than 200 hours of work, the designer said. 

“This look began with research into the idea of a second skin, inspired by exotic hides and snake sheds, their scales, faded textures and raw edges,” the designer wrote on Instagram. “We developed custom latex ‘snake skins’ through rare artisanal casting techniques. After sketching the design, the pieces were assembled with a latex specialist, with unfinished edges evoking shed skins.

“Jenna Ortega is wearing a top laid over a corset, paired with a mermaid skirt, the back is laced,” he added. 


Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance 

Updated 09 August 2025
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Kneecap voices support for Palestine during Oslo performance 

DUBAI: Irish rap group Kneecap continued to voice their stance on the war in Gaza during their performance in Oslo, Norway, on Friday.

Just before the trio— Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai — took the stage, a message in white text on a black background appeared on a video screen, accusing the Norwegian government of “enabling” the “genocide” against Palestinians through investments in the country’s sovereign wealth fund, referring to it as the “oil pension fund.” 

“Over 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,” the band’s message continued, “Free Palestine.” The message was received with cheers from the audience.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Clang (@clangmag)

Kneecap has supported the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza. The band has been the center of controversy in Britain since last year, when the previous government sought to block an arts grant for the band, citing its anti-British politics. That decision was overturned after the Labour Party won last year’s parliamentary election and Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office.

Last month, the group was banned from entering Hungary for three years over accusations of antisemitism.

They were due to perform at the Sziget Festival on Aug. 11. 

Kneecap said in a statement that their ban was a “further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”

At Glastonbury Festival this year, Chara accused Israel of committing war crimes against the Palestinians.

More than 150 Hungarian artists and musicians signed a petition against Kneecap playing at Sziget. 

But festival organizers said that the government’s ban was “both unnecessary and regrettable,” adding the group had “reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget’s values or Hungarian law.”