Sneaker giant New Balance releases latest line with French-Moroccan label

New Balance x Casablanca Drop III. Supplied
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Updated 02 March 2021
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Sneaker giant New Balance releases latest line with French-Moroccan label

DUBAI: The latest collaboration between Casablanca x New Balance dropped yesterday on casablancaparis.com and, naturally, it sold-out within minutes. But, if you didn’t manage to click “add to cart,” then we have some good news for you: You can still get your hands on a pair of the highly covetable footwear when they drop in the region next week.

Drop III comes in two silhouettes. The 327 boasts an octopus-like outsole that extends up the shoe and an interlocking Moroccan tile print that stays true to the French-Moroccan designer Charaf Tajer’s North African roots.




New Balance x Casablanca 327 silhouette. Supplied

Meanwhile, featuring a wedge heel, suede, mesh and nylon upper, as well as Casablanca’s signature monogram design, the 237 is an entirely new silhouette. Unlike the 327 style, the lugs on the outsole are less bold and don’t extend up the back of the shoe. 

Both trainers feature a clean white, pink and green colorway and an oversized “N” logo on the upper.

It’s not the first time the Paris-based apres-sports fashion house and the footwear company have joined forces. In fact, this recent drop marks their third footwear collaboration together.




New Balance x Casablanca 237 silhouette. Supplied

Casablanca’s first collaboration with New Balance debuted last year, when the 327 dropped in zesty orange and green colorways, inspired by Moroccan sweet oranges and tennis uniforms, respectively. 

The Casablanca x New Balance 327 and 273 sneakers will be available to purchase on March 5 at 9am (KSA time) on newbalance.co.ae and will be retailing for $163 for the 327 and $150 for the 237. Given how quickly the shoes sold out online on Feb. 27, we suggest setting an alarm.


Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm

Updated 24 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm

RIYADH:  A few kilometers outside the Kingdom’s capital, between the hills of Al-Amaaria village, one can explore and learn about various plants while spending time with loved ones at Amazonia Nursery Farm.

Plant lovers can explore and shop a variety of herbal plants, vegetables, fruits and flowers, including roses and Japanese houseplants. 

Several seating areas are available where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and pastries.

Along with a coffee house nearby, there is a bakery that serves Lebanese pastries such as manakish and stuffed flatbread, as well as other options such as burgers and fried items.

During my visit with my family, I liked how the place was spacious and relaxing. The food options were also not bad or too oily.

There is a coffee house in the middle of the farm that also provides an ice cream corner and unique house plants, including Japanese indoor plants. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)

However, although Amazonia Nursery Farm is a family-friendly location, it might not be ideal for larger groups.

We cut our visit short because the seating area was not the best; we couldn’t find a suitable table except for one, especially since there were elderly people in the group, and it was difficult for them to sit on the ground for too long.

Another disadvantage was that the food took from 15 to 20 minutes to prepare so we had to wait a while for our order.

Regardless, the place is worth a visit at least once, and is suitable for families with children who enjoy nature and a good overall atmosphere.

It opens daily from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m.
 


Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns

Updated 23 July 2025
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Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns

DUBAI: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair is having a whirlwind summer, having recently walked the runway at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, and taking to Instagram this week to share behind-the-scenes photos from a social media campaign for Oscar de la Renta.

In one image, she puts on jewelry while wearing a look from the luxury brand’s Fall 2025 collection. The black velvet gown featured elegantly placed clusters of crystals on the bodice.

Days before sharing the photo, she took part in Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda show in Rome, wearing a golden bustier.

In June, Al-Zuhair hit the runway at the AWGE show as a part of Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

The model showed off an ensemble featuring a trench coat  layered over a white vest and tartan-style miniskirt by A$AP Rocky’s label.

Earlier last month, birthday tributes poured in for the model as she celebrated her 24th birthday.

From producer Kawther Alrimawi to lifestyle publication Hia Magazine, fashion and entertainment industry insiders took to social media to wish the star a happy birthday.

The model wrapped up shooting a campaign for an unnamed brand in Milan when the clock struck midnight. She marked the beginning of her birthday with a candle-topped dessert at a restaurant in the Italian city.

Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has made her mark on the fashion world and appeared on the runway for an array of renowned fashion houses.

She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and many more.

In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for high-profile brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.

Al-Zuhair also made a runway appearance in May when she walked in Louis Vuitton’s high jewelry collection show, held at Bellver Castle on the island of Majorca, Spain.

In late May, Al-Zuhair also reflected on her recent campaign with Balmain, sharing photos from the Resort 2025 collection shoot. “Had so much fun shooting inside the Eiffel Tower herself!” she wrote in the caption.

It was not Al-Zuhair’s first collaboration with Balmain. She previously walked for the brand during Paris Fashion Week in September.


Saudi streetwear brand 1886 lands in Paris

Updated 23 July 2025
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Saudi streetwear brand 1886 lands in Paris

DUBAI: Saudi streetwear brand 1886 has landed in Paris with a pop-up outpost at luxury department store Galeries Lafayette.

Set to run until Sept. 1, the temporary store is showcasing a limited capsule collection at the department store on Boulevard Haussmann.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by 1886 (@my_1886)

After international streetwear experienced a boom in 2016 with brands like Supreme and Off-White taking the market by storm, Saudi entrepreneurs Fahad Al-Jomiah and Khalid Al-Jammaz took advantage and launched the Kingdom’s “first streetwear brand.”

The label, 1886, was launched in the duo’s dorm rooms in London and is now one of the trendiest in the Saudi market, with runway collections presented at Riyadh Fashion Week.

“For two students living in London at that time, that was such an inspiring and creative moment,” Al-Jomiah and Al-Jammaz told Arab News in a previous interview. “Even though our background is not in fashion, we felt it was the right time to bring together our passion for music, art, urban trends and street movements into a brand that could translate our own vision as Saudis.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by 1886 (@my_1886)

1886 is “focused on originality, individuality, and culturally infused style, 1886 pieces are designed to challenge conventions and spark conversation,” according to a released statement. The duo work at incorporating technology and progressive design to offer products such as joggers, hoodies, T-shirts, dresses and accessories that are contemporary and durable.

The label is one of a handful of Saudi brands making waves at international luxury department stories, with Honayda Serafi becoming the first designer from the Kingdom to be displayed at luxury London department store Harrods in 2022. In June of this year, the Saudi Fashion Commission teamed up with the Cultural Development Fund and London’s high-end department store Selfridges to showcase crafts and fashion items from the Kingdom.


Saudi film ‘Hijra’ to compete at Venice Film Festival

Updated 22 July 2025
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Saudi film ‘Hijra’ to compete at Venice Film Festival

RIYADH: Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s feature film “Hijra” (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Backed by the Film Commission’s Daw program, the selection is Saudi Arabia’s latest bid for global recognition after Ameen’s award-winning debut “Scales” premiered at the same festival in 2019.

The film follows a grandmother, Khairiya Nazmi, and her granddaughter, Lamar Feddan, as they journey across northern Saudi Arabia to find a missing teenage girl.

Shot over more than 55 days in eight Saudi cities – Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba – the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hajj.

Ameen’s narrative explores Saudi Arabia’s historical role as a crossroads for Muslim communities, weaving themes of migration and intergenerational resilience.

Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s feature film “Hijra” (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition

Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “Our participation in the Venice International Film Festival reflects the remarkable progress of Saudi cinema and the dedication of our filmmakers.

“Through initiatives like the Daw program, we empower a new generation of Saudi storytellers to share authentic narratives with global audiences. We are honored to represent the Kingdom at this prestigious event and look forward to building new partnerships and opportunities for Saudi talent.”

He noted that the Daw initiative has supported more than 250 regional films since its launch, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi cinema on the global stage.

During the festival, the commission will host a roundtable, “Young Audiences and Cinemas,” to explore strategies for engaging younger generations through local and global case studies.

It will also present a panel, “Making Cinematic Success,” featuring Saudi filmmakers crafting original narratives inspired by local culture and connecting with global audiences.

At the same venue, nine Saudi short films will be screened, showing the diversity of national creative talent and storytelling.


Zuhair Murad continues Hollywood premiere streak

Updated 22 July 2025
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Zuhair Murad continues Hollywood premiere streak

DUBAI: Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Zuhair Murad continues to dress Hollywood’s TV and silver screen actors, with the likes of Krysten Ritter and Maria Gabriela De Faria donning his designs on the red carpet as of late.

For her part, US actress Ritter hit the red carpet at the premiere of TV series “Dexter Resurrection” in New York in a black high neck gown with silver star detailing from Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-fall 2025 collection.

US actress Krysten Ritter hit the red carpet at the premiere of TV series “Dexter Resurrection” in New York in a black high neck gown with silver star detailing from Zuhair Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-fall 2025 collection. (Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Venezuelan star De Faria attended the Los Angeles premiere of “Superman” in a black sequined gown with a high neckline and chiffon cape from the label’s fall 2025 collection.

“What a dream of a dress you guys gave me,” De Faria commented on the fashion house’s Instagram post about the gown this week.

Murad seems to have been heavily involved in the “Superman” press tour, dressing lead star Rachel Brosnahan for the Rio de Janeiro premiere in late June.

She wore a floor-length dress crafted from sheer navy blue fabric, adorned with geometric beadwork and sequins. The design featured a structured, plunging neckline with wide shoulder straps. The fitted bodice extended into a subtly flared mermaid-style skirt. 

Brosnahan takes on the role of Lois Lane in the upcoming film, directed by James Gunn. 

Since founding his brand in 1997, Murad has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson on major red carpets.

He is one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.

Murad was recently championed by British Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, who wore a black gown featuring a plunging neckline and tie detail at the waist from the designer’s ready-to-wear Pre-Fall 2025 collection to the launch of the Panthere de Cartier collection in Istanbul in June.

In April, American actress Blake Lively and singer songwriter Nicole Scherzinger both wore Zuhair Murad designs to the 2025 Time 100 Gala.

Lively opted for a pink taffeta off-the-shoulder gown with a corseted bodice and train detail from Murad’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection. Scherzinger chose a black off-the-shoulder sequined gown from the designer’s Pre-Fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection.