JEDDAH: Brazilian supermodel Isabeli Fontana, who appears on the recent cover of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia wearing a dress by Zuhair Murad, swaps modeling stories with Saudi’s rising star Taleedah Tamer in the summer issue.
The 35-year-old modeling veteran wears a statement dress from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad’s spring-summer couture collection with a hat by Milan’s Pasquale Bonfilio. She also accessorizes with a Zuhair Murad necklace for another shot inside the magazine.
The Brazilian model is one of the most sought-after names in the fashion industry, having posed for the likes of Victoria’s Secret, Versace, Ralph Lauren and Valentino.
“Such a honor to be on the cover of @harpersBazaarArabia. #StayTrueToYourself #LoveYourself,” she wrote on Instagram alongside an image of the cover.
In the magazine, Fontana shares “three decades of experience with breakthrough Saudi model Taleedah Tamer about life on fashion’s frontline.”
Tamer, who made history as the first Saudi couture model on the catwalk during Paris Haute Couture Week this summer, was interviewed by Arab News last month. Tamer was born and raised in Jeddah; her father is Saudi and her mother is a former Italian model.
Both models discuss how they started in the modeling industry, the role of parents, their use of social media and dealing with fame, among other topics.
“I was 12 years old and my mom put me on a ‘manners course’ because I was a total tomboy,” said Fontana.
“Me too! I’ve never been very feminine,” Tamer said.
Tamer told Fontana that she got into modeling after helping backstage at a fashion show organized by her mother in Saudi Arabia.
“Five years later I was at a dinner and the same designer of that fashion show saw me and said, ‘Wow you’ve grown up and you’re so much taller.’ We did a shoot in the desert and I posted about it on Instagram and that’s how it all started for me,” Tamer said.
Asked for what advice she would give to someone starting in the industry, Fontana said: “This world has changed so much and sometimes it seems that what’s selling right now isn’t natural at all — it’s very plastic and unreal. But I think it’s just a phase. So my best advice would be to just be yourself.”
Fontana said she felt discriminated against for being “too beautiful” and she did not get jobs because of that. Tamer, meanwhile, said she has had her share of negative comments but it has largely been positive.
“I have had negative comments such as ‘Oh, she’s Saudi so she shouldn’t be doing that,’ but I’m grateful because it hasn’t been that bad. I think the majority of our generation is so mature and enlightened. They just want to share positivity and grow and evolve. You’ll always get negative people, but I don’t take it to heart.”
