Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  

Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  
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Mazrood started off strong with models showing off relaxed eveningwear. (AN/ Huda Bashatah)
Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  
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(AN/ Huda Bashatah)
Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  
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(AN/ Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 26 October 2023
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Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  

Saudi label Mazrood forays into formal streetwear  

RIYADH: Saudi designer Saud Alajaji’s comfortwear label Mazrood stunned spectators at the recent inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week with its foray into formalwear, blended in with the unisex brand’s signature streetwear aesthetic.   

Showing as part of the menswear collections, Mazrood started off strong with models showing off relaxed eveningwear, including oversized blazers, panelled shirts paired with shorts, fitted pants and puffer shirts – accessorized with bright pouches with neon accents.   




Mazrood displayed its strong identity in every piece. (AN/ Huda Bashatah)

Very on-trend denim-on-denim ensembles also made an appearance, alongside trendy trenchcoats paired with trackpants.    

It wouldn’t be a Mazrood show if the young label didn’t feature its technically masterful streetwear, which blends jersey and nylon fabrics to create comfortwear that marries form and function. From pastel-colored puffer jackets to panelled pants with pops of color, Mazrood displayed its strong identity in every piece, some of which displayed the brand’s logo in bright blue embroidery.  




Alajaji established Mazrood took in 2016. (AN/ Huda Bashatah)

Alajaji established Mazrood took in 2016. In 2018, he moved to New York, where he studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “At Mazrood, we believe in the power of style, sustainability, and self-expression. Our journey began in 2016, in the vibrant city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We are more than just a fashion brand; we are a movement, a lifestyle, and a vision for the future,” reads a statement on the brand’s website.  

The label showed its deigns earlier this year on the sidelines of Paris Fashion Week as part of the Emerge pop-up, alongside other Saudi brands like Torba Studio, Hindamme, Noble & Fresh, 1886 and Not Boring.  


Johnny Depp’s Red Sea Film Fund-backed ‘Modi’ to screen at San Sebastian Film Fest

Johnny Depp’s Red Sea Film Fund-backed ‘Modi’ to screen at San Sebastian Film Fest
Updated 20 August 2024
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Johnny Depp’s Red Sea Film Fund-backed ‘Modi’ to screen at San Sebastian Film Fest

Johnny Depp’s Red Sea Film Fund-backed ‘Modi’ to screen at San Sebastian Film Fest

DUBAI: Johnny Depp’s second directorial effort, “Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness,” will make its debut at the San Sebastian Film Festival next month after it was supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation through its Red Sea International Film Financing initiative. 

The film – starring Riccardo Scamarcio as Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani – marks Depp’s return to directing after his 1997 debut “The Brave.”

Also starring Stephen Graham and Al Pacino, the film chronicles a seventy-two-hour whirlwind in the life of the bohemian artist.

It will screen out-of-competition at the 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival, to be held from Sept. 20 to Sept. 28.

Depp graced the MENA premiere of "Jeanne Du Barry," a French historical drama directed by French actress and filmmaker Maïwenn, at Jeddah’s Red Sea International Film Festival in December. 

He spoke to Arab News, commenting on the Kingdom’s film industry. “I believe that what's happening here in in Saudi with regards to various sort of expressive outlets, creative outlets – art, cinema everything – is opening up sort of beautifully. I also think that since opening up, like giving more opportunity to anyone and everyone. What seems to be really thriving beautifully here is youth culture,” he said.


The absolute state of ‘The Union’: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry flick flounders

The absolute state of ‘The Union’: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry flick flounders
Updated 20 August 2024
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The absolute state of ‘The Union’: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry flick flounders

The absolute state of ‘The Union’: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry flick flounders

LONDON: There’s an exposition dump not far into Netflix’s new action-spy-thriller-comedy-thing “The Union” where an exasperated Mark Wahlberg (here playing New Jersey construction worker Mike) shakes his head and tells his high-school sweetheart Roxanne (Halle Berry) that “none of this makes any sense!” He’s lamenting the fact that his long-lost flame has just revealed she’s part of a secret government agency operating out of a London landmark and that she tranquilized him and flew him to the UK to join her black ops taskforce – but, quite honestly, Mike could simply be describing “The Union” as a whole.

After Roxanne kidnaps Mike from his humdrum life and trains him up to join her super spy network, the pair embark on a globe-trotting adventure to retrieve a McGuffin-esque list of allied nation intelligence assets that has fallen into the hands of a shady terrorist network. The thinking is that, as Mike is an absolute nobody with no previous experience, he’s the perfect agent to swoop in and complete the mission. He’s backed by Roxanne, as well as a team of eccentric specialists, and guided by gruff overseer Tom Brennan (JK Simmons). Despite the premise being absolutely littered with gaping plotholes, logic-defying story beats and, quite frankly, some very odd in-movie decision making, “The Union” sets off at breakneck speed, ticking off all the prerequisite boxes for a new spy caper. High-octane set pieces? Check. ‘Unexpected’ double-cross? Check. Shoehorned romance subplot? Check. Sequel-teasing final act? Double check.

Despite what Mike thinks, it actually all makes perfect sense – it’s franchise-building-by-numbers, and something Netflix has done time and time again with movies like “6 Underground”, “Heart of Stone” “The Gray Man” and about a dozen more. Director Julian Farino (who helmed much of the Wahlberg-produced HBO hit show “Entourage”) does his best, and he’s at least overseen a decent-looking movie. But “The Union” labors insufferably under its ridiculous plot, drawing nothing more than so-so performances from a cast of usually charismatic stars and dragging itself to a bedraggled, predictable ending.


Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media
Updated 19 August 2024
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Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media

DUBAI: Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah took to social media on Monday to post a picture with his newborn daughter, Princess Iman bint Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

“With my precious one,” he captioned the post, where he’s seen wearing his military uniform as he holds the royal baby.

Saudi-born Princess Rajwa gave birth to Iman – the first grandchild of King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania – earlier this month.

At her birth, King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media. Translated from Arabic, the post reads: "I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.

“We ask God to raise her well and protect her for her parents. You have lit up our family.”

Queen Rania also took to social media to write, “Praise be to God for His greatest gifts … You have brightened our lives with our beloved granddaughter Iman. May God keep her with us. Congratulations to Hussein and Rajwa, and may God fill your lives with blessings and contentment.”


Red Sea Fund-backed ‘Agora’ wins at Locarno Film Festival

Red Sea Fund-backed ‘Agora’ wins at Locarno Film Festival
Updated 18 August 2024
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Red Sea Fund-backed ‘Agora’ wins at Locarno Film Festival

Red Sea Fund-backed ‘Agora’ wins at Locarno Film Festival

DUBAI: Tunisian filmmaker Ala Eddine Slim’s third feature film, “Agora,” supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund, won the Pardo Verde Award – also known as the Green Award – at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.

The Pardo Verde Award is given to a film that best reflects an environmental theme and is unafraid of asking difficult questions.

Slim’s two previous works also made noise on the world stage. His 2016 feature “The Last of Us” won the Lion of the Future Prize at Venice. “Tlamess” (2019) was selected for the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.

“Agora” explores a mysterious phenomenon in a remote Tunisian town where people who had gone missing for years suddenly return. These returnees stir tensions among families and the wider community, prompting local police inspector Fathi and his doctor friend Amine to investigate. The situation becomes increasingly strange and complex, particularly with the arrival of Omar, a police inspector from the capital, who attempts to unravel the mystery.

The “Agora” cast comprises of Neji Kanaweti (“Who Do I Belong To”); Bilel Slatnia (“Dachra”); Majd Mastoura (“Hedi”) and emerging Tunisian talent Sonia Zarg Ayouna.


Loli Bahia scores luxury Fall/Winter campaign with Gucci

Loli Bahia scores luxury Fall/Winter campaign with Gucci
Updated 18 August 2024
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Loli Bahia scores luxury Fall/Winter campaign with Gucci

Loli Bahia scores luxury Fall/Winter campaign with Gucci

DUBAI: After walking the runway for the world’s leading luxury brands, French Algerian model Loli Bahia has unveiled her campaign with Italian label Gucci.

Bahia stars in the campaign for Gucci’s creative director Sabato De Sarno’s Fall Winter 2024 collection.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Loli bahia (@lolibahiaa)

 The rising French Algerian star is featured in the campaign alongside models Alaato Jazyper Michael and Jiahui Zhang.

“Softly lit spaces create an authentic atmosphere in which to present a conversation between personalities and clothes. Loli, Alaato and Jiahui — each of them brings something of herself to the looks, enhancing De Sarno’s vision in continuous dialogue with real life, in search of freedom of interpretation, beyond all constraints,” the brand posted on Instagram alongside images from the campaign.

“Grazie amore,” Bahia wrote on her account, which translates to thank you, my love, garnering a simple “best” in the comments section from none other than supermodel Bella Hadid.

“Thank you to @sabatods and the entire team @gucci for adding me in this breathtaking campaign. An absolute pleasure being in these beautiful pieces and campaign,” Michael wrote.

For her part, Bahia cemented her relationship with luxury brand Louis Vuitton in February — just one example of the model’s many high-end campaigns.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Loli bahia (@lolibahiaa)

Louis Vuitton unveiled its campaign for the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, featuring the burgeoning 21-year-old star.

In the promotional clip, Bahia showcased the brand’s pieces accessorizing with a vibrant orange Dauphine bag crafted from supple leather.

It was not Bahia’s first collaboration with the brand.

In March 2023, she walked the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week.

Bahia is one of the most in-demand models in the industry, becoming a runway fixture in just a few months after a breakthrough Spring 2022 fashion season, where she walked in 65 shows.

She has walked for a host of prestigious labels, including Chanel, Tory Burch, Givenchy, Lanvin, Schiaparelli and Valentino.

Bahia also fronted campaigns for Saint Laurent, Tod’s, Isabel Marant, Courreges and Max Mara in addition to starring on the cover of Vogue Italia.