Elie Saab’s couture escapism finds a new edge in Paris

Elie Saab’s couture escapism finds a new edge in Paris
Elie Saab presented his collection during Paris Fashion Week. (Instagram)
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Updated 30 January 2025
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Elie Saab’s couture escapism finds a new edge in Paris

Elie Saab’s couture escapism finds a new edge in Paris

PARIS: The sounds of spring, with babbling brooks and birdsong, set a serene yet surreal tone Wednesday as Elie Saab unveiled his latest couture collection inside the soaring Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

It was punctuated only by whoops and clicking camera shutters as Eva Longoria swept in.

While the setting evoked pastoral bliss, the collection was a study in high-drama couture, as Saab’s signature opulence met a new architectural precision.

This season, the Lebanese designer, a red carpet mainstay, tempered his signature cascades of embroidery with an almost armor-like structure. Sweeping architectural flourishes curved around shoulders and hips, recalling the grandeur of Art Deco but with a modern sheen. Geometric bands of sparkles reinforced the sculptural intent, carving out silhouettes that felt more commanding than Saab’s typical fluid romance.

Models emerged on three parallel runways framed by classical white arches, wearing gowns dripping with jewels and embroidered feathers that echoed foliage. The effect was cinematic, an invitation into a world of 1920s glamour — Gatsby decadence reimagined with Saab’s unerring eye for fantasy. But in a world of uncertainty, the excess took on a different weight, a reminder that fashion has long been a glittering escape from reality.

Saab’s touchstone aesthetic — luxurious embellishment, silhouette-flattering cuts and red carpet allure — was intact, but there was an added sense of structure, a couture boldness that gave the collection its edge. The designer has never strayed far from his core of femininity and grandeur, yet here was a whisper of something stronger: a woman draped in fantasy, but armored for the future.

Saab was not the only Arab designer to present that day.

Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Zuhair Murad, whose country has been under Israeli bombardment, told AFP that his glamorous collection of long evening wear was inspired by the idea of a tropical island inhabited by goddess-like women.

“The message of this collection is about escaping from our hectic world. I imagined this beautiful island, far from the cities, far from technology, far from the world that we live in right now, a peaceful world,” he said.


Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment
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Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Alya Khalil talks fashion, food and entertainment

DUBAI: The Saudi influencer talks fashion, food and entertainment. 

Best TV show or film you’ve ever seen? 

“Succession.” The drama, the outfits, the power struggles… it’s just so good. For movies, “Interstellar” blew my mind. The way it explores space, time and human connections is incredible. The visuals are stunning, the music is unforgettable, and the story really makes you think about love, sacrifice, and the unknown. Plus the scene where time moves differently on different planets is just crazy. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Alya khalil (@alya_khalill)

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen? 

I couldn’t get into (2009 British horror movie) “Triangle.” It’s the worst horror movie I’ve ever seen. It had an interesting idea, but the way it played out just didn’t keep me hooked. The characters weren’t very engaging, and by the end, it felt like it was trying too hard to be clever instead of actually being scary. 

Best personal style moment so far? 

Wearing evening dresses from my favorite Saudi designer, Huda Bamarouf. Nothing beats that feeling! I’ve worn Huda’s designs so many times, and every single time feels special. Huda is so unique. Her designs mix timeless elegance with a modern flair that truly sets them apart. My favorite piece is her stunning yellow “Alya” dress. It’s so elegant. It made a huge splash on social media, garnering tons of orders.  

Worst personal style moment? 

My teenage years — specifically the neon skinny jeans era. What was I thinking? 

Best accessory for a little black dress? 

A killer pair of earrings or a bold clutch. They are simple but they make a statement. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Alya khalil (@alya_khalill)

Worst accessory for a little black dress? 

I don’t like it when there’s too much going on — like layering a million necklaces with an oversized belt. It just kills the elegance.  

Best fashion trend of 2025? 

Effortless minimalism. It’s chic, clean and timeless. I love it.  

Worst fashion trend of 2025? 

I don’t like some of these extreme Y2K comebacks. Not everything from the 2000s needs to make a return! 

Best advice you’ve ever been given? 

“Stay true to your vision, but be flexible.” It’s been a real game-changer for me. Trends change all the time, and life throws surprises at you, so being able to adapt while keeping your true self has really helped me grow. 

Worst advice you’ve ever been given? 

“Follow every trend to stay relevant.” No thanks. True style is all about curation. 

Best book you’ve ever read? 

“The Alchemist” (by Paolo Coelho). It’s such a good reminder to trust the process. I love how it shows that the journey itself is as important as the destination. It’s not just about chasing your dreams — it’s about embracing every twist and turn along the way. The simple storytelling makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger, and it reminds you that every setback or unexpected turn can lead to amazing discoveries.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Alya khalil (@alya_khalill)

Worst book you’ve ever read? 

“Twilight” wasn’t my thing. I just didn’t love the writing style.  

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low? 

Two things: a little retail therapy and putting together an outfit that makes me feel amazing. Shopping gives me a creative break. And when I step outside in an outfit that boosts my confidence, it feels like I’m reclaiming my power. 

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good? 

Overcommitting and saying yes to everything just because you’re on a high. While it might feel exciting at first, it can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed. It sets you up for stress later on and can even affect your credibility if you can’t deliver on what you’ve promised. 

Best holiday destination? 

Italy. It’s beyond gorgeous. Not only does it boast stunning landscapes and charming cities, but its rich culture makes every moment feel like a dream. And the food is unforgettable: every meal is a celebration of taste, from fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas to decadent gelato. Wandering through Rome’s timeless ruins or the chic streets of Milan feels like stepping into a living museum of art and fashion. Every corner of Italy invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and immerse yourself in a vibrant lifestyle that’s as stylish as it is soulful. 

Worst holiday destination? 

I don’t like anywhere that’s so packed with tourists that you can’t actually enjoy it. 

Best subject at school? 

Art and literature. I’ve always been drawn to creative stuff. 

Worst subject at school? 

Chemistry. I respect it, but it was never my thing. 

Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day? 

Plan your outfit the night before. It saves time and puts you in the right mindset.  

Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day? 

Endless scrolling on social media. You suddenly realize that an hour has gone by and you’ve done nothing. 

 

 


Saudi Arabia returns to London Design Biennale with ‘Good Water’ pavilion

Saudi Arabia returns to London Design Biennale with ‘Good Water’ pavilion
Updated 27 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia returns to London Design Biennale with ‘Good Water’ pavilion

Saudi Arabia returns to London Design Biennale with ‘Good Water’ pavilion

DHAHRAN: Saudi Arabia will participate at the London Design Biennale 2025 with “Good Water,” an exhibition exploring the hidden costs and economies of water, running from June 5-29 at Somerset House.

Commissioned by the Architecture and Design Commission, the pavilion is curated by a multidisciplinary design collective comprising Alaa Tarabzouni, Aziz Jamal, Dur Kattan and Fahad bin Naif. Drawing on their backgrounds in architecture, design and the arts, they will challenge conventional notions of access, distribution and the perceived value of water.

Sumaya Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, said: “Saudi Arabia’s return to the London Design Biennale marks another chapter in our commitment to design as a tool for dialogue and cultural exchange. We look forward to engaging in conversations on creativity, innovation, and systems thinking during our fourth participation in the event.”

The exhibition responds to this year’s biennale theme “Surface Reflections,” by inviting visitors to reconsider their relationship with water.

At the heart of the Saudi pavilion is a sabeel, a traditional water fountain deeply rooted in Saudi culture that provides complimentary water to anyone who passes by. It is seen as a symbol of hospitality and generosity.

The sabeel, within this context, represents a paradox. While it offers water freely, the reality is that no water is truly free, the exhibition argues. Every drop is made possible through a network of labor, energy and infrastructure — whether extracted through costly desalination, bottled and imported or transported through vast water systems requiring maintenance and oversight. The cost is absorbed by governments, corporations, and workers, yet the long-term impact is shared by all.

In this showcase, “Good Water” repositions the sabeel not just as a gesture of goodwill, but as a question: Who pays for “free” water? What does it truly cost?

“The pavilion uses familiar elements to draw attention to water’s hidden economies,” said the participants Tarabzouni, Jamal, Kattan and bin Naif in a joint statement. “It encourages visitors to drink with awareness, to acknowledge the price, and to recognize that while the cost of good water may be borne by someone else, it ultimately affects everyone. By relocating the sabeel to the London Design Biennale—where water scarcity is not an immediate concern—we reframe it as an object of scrutiny, making the invisible visible and the passive active.”

In 2023, Saudi Arabia participated at the 4th London Design Biennale with a pavilion titled “Woven” by Ruba Alkhaldi and Lojain Rafaa. 


Fitness enthusiasts challenge themselves with pre-iftar hikes in Pakistani capital

Fitness enthusiasts challenge themselves with pre-iftar hikes in Pakistani capital
Updated 27 March 2025
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Fitness enthusiasts challenge themselves with pre-iftar hikes in Pakistani capital

Fitness enthusiasts challenge themselves with pre-iftar hikes in Pakistani capital
  • Hikers set out hour before sunset, break fast on trails on Margalla Hills National Park
  • Participants say pre-iftar hikes help boost fat burning, maintain weight in Ramadan

ISLAMABAD: Zarnab Tahir struggled to catch her breath as the steep incline of the hiking trail at Islamabad’s picturesque Margalla Hills tested her endurance. Hiking can put one through physical exertion, especially when they do it on an empty stomach. 

An hour before the sun sets and the call to prayer blares out from various mosques located in Pakistan’s capital city, a group of fitness enthusiasts take to the hiking trails in Margalla Hills National Park. 

Islamabad Run With Us (IRU), which describes itself as Pakistan’s “pioneering running community,” is behind the pre-iftar hiking initiative. 

“When you engage in pre-iftar [physical] activities during Ramadan, it gives you extra energy, an extra boost,” Qasim Naz, who founded IRU in 2016, told Arab News on hiking trail number three. 

“And when someone joins in on an activity once or twice, they figure out it’s not that hard and they can sustain it comfortably.”

Participants hike up the mountain at the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad on March 25, 2025, during an Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage of a pre-iftar hiking trend in Pakistani capital. (Photo courtesy: Handout/IRU)

Naz stresses that staying active during the holy month is essential. The IRU organizes five activities a week, which include two runs and three hikes.

“Either we can maintain our weight, or if our goal is weight loss, we can achieve it by being in a calorie deficit while eating a healthy diet and exercising,” Naz explained.

Tahir, 22, meanwhile said she was committed to reaching the top of hiking trail before sunset. This was the second time she was hiking with IRU. 

She agreed with Naz that group activities are “much easier” to sustain. 

“I think it is important to go at your own pace and it’s so much easier with the group,” Tahir, a content creator, told Arab News. 

“If you go alone, it’s kind of more difficult and you are like really slow but if you go with the group you can maintain that pace and I think it’s much easier that way.”

Participants hike up the mountain at the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad on March 25, 2025, during an Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage of a pre-iftar hiking trend in Pakistani capital. (Photo courtesy: Handout/IRU)

Mahwish Ashraf, a journalist associated with a foreign diplomatic mission in Islamabad, shared how she struggled the first time she went on a pre-iftar hike with IRU. 

“The first time I was hiking, I returned from in between, I couldn’t complete it,” she admitted. “So, this is my second time hiking with the IRU, and gladly, I’m at the main point, the meeting point.”

Eraj Khan, a commercial specialist visiting from Australia to spend Ramadan with his family, said pre-iftar hikes give one “lots of energy.” 

“For fat burning, it’s a great activity,” Khan said. “Especially because the last two hours of fasting are the hardest, most people feel really hungry. But so far, I’m loving it.”

As the clock continued to tick and evening settled in, the hikers began to pick up their pace. For Tahir, reaching the top of the trail before sunset was a victory in itself. 

This aerial view shows the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad on March 25, 2025, during an Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage of a pre-iftar hiking trend in Pakistani capital. (Photo courtesy: Handout/IRU)

She had pushed past exhaustion, embraced the challenge and proved to herself that she was capable of more than she thought she could achieve.

And according to her, hiking with the group made all the difference. 

“The energy of the group keeps you going,” she said. “Even when you feel like stopping, you see everyone else moving forward, and you push through.”


Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage

Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage
Updated 26 March 2025
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Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage

Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage
  • Second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques aims to preserve the mosque’s rich history and Najdi architectural heritage
  • Recognizing its cultural significance, the project will use traditional Najdi construction methods, including mud and natural materials suited to the desert climate

RIYADH: The historic Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques aims to preserve the mosque’s rich history and Najdi architectural heritage, restoring it to its former splendor.

One of the region’s oldest worship sites, Al-Oudah Mosque has been restored three times, with the last renovation about 15 years ago, according to the SPA.

Recognizing its cultural significance, the project will use traditional Najdi construction methods, including mud and natural materials suited to the desert climate.

The renovation will expand the mosque from 794 sq. m for 510 worshippers to 1,369 sq. m for 992 worshippers.

This expansion reflects a commitment to preserving history while meeting the community’s evolving needs, the SPA reported.

It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.

Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, the SPA reported.

The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.

The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.


Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok
Updated 26 March 2025
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Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok

DUBAI: The “Fawazeer Ramadan” franchise, originally made famous in Egypt by iconic performers Nelly and Sherihan, has been reimagined for the TikTok generation.

The classic TV show, known for its musical riddles and whimsical performances, has been a staple of Ramadan entertainment for decades.

This year, Saudi creators Lama Najjar and Mohammed Subaie returned for their second year adapting the format, bringing a fresh and modern twist to the beloved show for a new audience.

“Honestly, it was such a fun and beautiful experience! When we first started, we never expected people to engage with it so much,” Najjar told Arab News.

“‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ is part of so many people’s memories, and it felt great to bring it back in a new way that fits today’s generation,” added Subaie. “TikTok gave us the space to connect directly with people and see their instant reactions to each episode.”

Lama Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. (Supplied)

As Ramadan comes to a close, the creators reflected on the evolution of the show, which featured challenges and riddles.

“This year, we wanted to bring new ideas and challenges that people might not expect,” said Subaie. “We’ve improved a lot in terms of filming and editing, and even the riddles themselves are a bit smarter and harder!”

Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. “Honestly, I like to be part of everything! From writing the riddles to choosing the ideas and how we present them. I love adding my personal touch and making sure the content feels close to the audience and reflects my style. And of course, interacting with the audience is a huge part of what I do — they’re the reason for our success, so I always want to make sure they feel connected,” she shared.

The show has resonated with younger audiences, many of whom are experiencing “Fawazeer Ramadan” for the first time, according to Subaie.

“Even those who never watched the original ‘Fawazeer’ are now loving the idea. People are waiting for each episode, and that’s the best proof that it connects with them,” said Subaie.