Gigi of Arabia: Half-Palestinian supermodel first cover star of Vogue Arabia

JEDDAH: The long-awaited inaugural print issue of Vogue Arabia — the 22nd global edition of the world’s most famous fashion magazine — will go on sale from March 5.
The launch will see the authoritative Vogue voice speak directly to the Middle East and the wider Arab diaspora for the first time.
The March issue launch cover, shot by Inez and Vinoodh exclusively for Vogue Arabia, features Gigi Hadid — a supermodel with Arab roots via her Palestinian father — styled in a uniquely Arabian way.
“Vogue Arabia is a magazine with the authority and insight needed to capture the creativity of a distinctive, evolving, and often misrepresented part of the world,” said Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia.
She added: “The collage of countries across the Arab world is long-deserving of a place in fashion history and there is no better first ‘face’ to lead the charge for Vogue Arabia than Gigi — a model who defines tomorrow’s entrepreneurial and dynamic generation.”
The March edition of Vogue Arabia follows the digital-first launch in October 2016 with Vogue.me — a bilingual platform.
The magazine is published in English along with a prominent section in Arabic, ensuring that Vogue Arabia is able to reach and engage the diversity of readers across the region.
Hadid posted the cover photo on Instagram, writing: “I think the beautiful thing about being with international Vogue is that, as a fashion community, we are able to celebrate, and share with the world, different cultures. Being half-Palestinian, it means the world to me to be on the first-ever cover(s) of @voguearabia, and I hope that this magazine will show another layer of the fashion industry’s desire to continue to accept, celebrate, and incorporate all people & customs and make everyone feel like they have fashion images and moments they can relate to... & learn and grow in doing so. Thank you @deenathe1st for your vision and for having me on this cover... by the incredible @inezandvinoodh — so much love.”