Saudi fashion graduate who dared to dream

Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)
Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 April 2024
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Saudi fashion graduate who dared to dream

Saudi fashion graduate who dared to dream
  • Manal Marvelous’ tips for aspiring designers have turned her into social media star

RIYADH: Saudi fashion and lifestyle content creator Manal Marvelous discovered her love of design and sewing while at university and soon began sharing her work on social media.  

“My passion for fashion was a coincidence; actually, I had to take one semester of fashion classes in college because of some weird situation I got myself into and I was supposed to transfer after the semester ended, but I fell in love and never looked back,“ Marvelous told Arab News.




Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)

“I love out-of-the box and creative ideas I can share with my audience, which consist of girls around my age with similar interests who either love fashion or got inspired to start their journey after watching my content,” she said.

She loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers.  

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvelous took part in the Sony Creators Convention, where she showcased her work on models, and offered advice to aspiring content creators about the business, how to succeed, and how to make their passions their careers. 

• Marvelous believes that with an abundance of talented and creative Saudi designers, as well as the diversity of Saudi fashion and traditional costume, the KSA scene needs more useful fashion events.

• Aside from TikTok, Marvelous supports up-and-coming fashion designers on her YouTube channel, paving a path for them to enter the industry. 

• She said that constructive criticism is always appreciated, and that she tries to hear what people have to say to improve her material, gain insight into her audience, and receive feedback.

“It felt like magic to me how can you transform a piece of fabric into art just by cutting here and stitching there,” she said.

Marvelous took part in the Sony Creators Convention, where she showcased her work on models, and offered advice to aspiring content creators about the business, how to succeed, and how to make their passions their careers.




Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)

“My work as a fashion and lifestyle creator takes me around the Kingdom to collaborate with global and local brands ranging from clothing to skincare to makeup,” she said.  

Aside from TikTok, Marvelous supports up-and-coming fashion designers on her YouTube channel, paving a path for them to enter the industry.  




Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)

“In my YouTube channel, I share my love of sewing, but with a twist. From sewing pants out of bandannas and a corset with plastic, to recycling my old jeans into a denim jacket,” she said.

Marvelous had the backing of friends and family from the start, and they were her supporters.




Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)

She did, however, mention how some elements of social media, like cyberbullying, were deterring her from sharing and how she overcame it.

“Bullying on social media has become the norm lately. What I do and what I recommend everyone do is ignore the comment, especially when it’s obvious that the person is just trying to hurt you.”




Manal Marvelous loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers. (Supplied)

She said that constructive criticism is always appreciated, and that she tries to hear what people have to say to improve her material, gain insight into her audience, and receive feedback.

“But people who just want to put you down and make you feel bad should be muted,” she added.

Marvelous believes that with an abundance of talented and creative Saudi designers, as well as the diversity of Saudi fashion and traditional costume, the KSA scene needs more useful fashion events.

“Saudi Arabia has some of the most talented and creative designers in the field, and their work should be appreciated and celebrated nationally and internationally. Having more shows in the Kingdom could be beneficial not only to the designers but to the country as well.”

Marvelous said that the Fashion Commission has been a significant asset to the sector for many years, planning events and providing support for emerging designers through programs such as 100 Brands.

“I advise upcoming designers to never stop dreaming big; this is our time to shine and create the unexpected. There’s space for everyone.”

Marvelous offers three tips for aspiring fashion content creators seeking to be authentic: “Don’t try to copy other creators; it’s good to follow trends, but only when it suits your content and your personality. Consistency is key. Pick the schedule that suits you and make sure to stick to it.”

 


More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season

More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season
Updated 9 sec ago
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More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season

More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season
  • The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience

RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said that more than 12 million people have attended Riyadh Season so far this year.

The diverse range of offerings at Riyadh Season, which began in October and lasts to March 2025, continues to captivate audiences.

Recent additions, including The Groves and Souq Al-Awaleen, have further enhanced the visitor experience.

The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience.

The anticipated Boxing Week, featuring the historic rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, attracted a significant global audience, adding a thrilling dimension to the season.

A collaborative effort with SAUDIA Group led to the recent launch of the Boulevard Runway zone, which offers a unique blend of aviation and entertainment.

 


Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology

Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology
Updated 21 December 2024
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Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology

Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology
  • Initiative seeks to provide reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, in collaboration with the Ministry of Media, has unveiled a comprehensive glossary of media terms aimed at standardizing and clarifying media-related terminology, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to SPA, the initiative seeks to provide a reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals, enhancing studies related to both traditional and digital media as well as other associated fields. It is also part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to transform the media sector and promote a unified approach to media terminology.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, explained that the academy prioritizes the creation of digital dictionaries to support scientific research and enhance local production at both individual and institutional levels.

He emphasized that such efforts aim to build a unified database providing researchers and specialists with access to accurate sources, in addition to digital linguistic data to support developers and programmers of technical applications, whether linguistic or non-linguistic.

Al-Washmi also highlighted the academy’s past achievements in producing specialized dictionaries in partnership with various government ministries and agencies. He noted that the media terminology glossary was launched in alignment with the significant transformations taking place in the media sector, offering a crucial linguistic resource to help understand these transformations and the evolving concepts within the field.

The glossary covers a broad range of terms related to traditional media — such as print journalism, radio, and television — as well as digital media, social media, live broadcasting, podcasts, online journalism, digital marketing, contemporary media platforms, audiovisual media vocabulary, and technical terms in the media field. It also addresses emerging concepts in new media.

Containing approximately 800 entries, the glossary provides each term’s Arabic equivalent, its grammatical category, the type of entry, its meanings, and English translations.


Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations

Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations
Updated 21 December 2024
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Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations

Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations
  • The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future”

RIYADH: The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district will host events and activities to commemorate its first anniversary from Dec. 27

The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future.”

It will highlight the museum’s most significant milestones since its establishment and its contributions to showcasing Saudi musical heritage while fostering national identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Events include live musical performances, guided tours within the museum, theatrical activities and a light show projected onto the museum’s facade.

The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses a collection of the artist’s personal belongings, musical compositions and audiovisual materials.

It also features a music research center, providing researchers with access to an extensive music archive, with the aim of preserving intangible cultural heritage.


KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen

KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen
Updated 21 December 2024
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KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen

KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency KSrelief has distributed food aid in several parts of Syria and Yemen.
KSrelief has recently handed out 724 food packages and 724 hygiene kits in Syria’s Sarmada and Idlib, assisting 4,344 people. The distribution is part of the second phase of a project providing aid to those affected by the earthquake in northern Syria.
The project aims to distribute 134,950 food parcels and 134,950 hygiene kits in Idlib, Aleppo, the northern countryside of Raqqa and the northwestern countryside of Hasakah, benefiting 809,700 people from displaced families affected by the earthquake.
Last week, KSrelief distributed 450 food packages in Al-Mansoura District of Yemen’s Aden Governorate, reaching 3,150 people. 

KSrelief distributes food aid in Yemen

In Lebanon, KSrelief also continued providing healthcare services in Arsal, throughout November, supporting both Syrian refugees and the host community. 
The Saudi agency treated 10,815 patients, offering 20,691 services, including clinic visits, pharmacy services, laboratory tests, nursing care and mental-health support.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims

Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims
Updated 21 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims

Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims
  • Saudi Arabia also reiterated its firm stance against all forms of violence
  • The Muslim World League similarly condemned the attack

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned the attack on a bustling Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg, Germany, where a car plowed into the crowd on Friday evening and killing at least two people and injuring over 60 others.
The driver was arrested at the scene shortly after the incident.

 


The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday, expressed its condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government, wishing those injured a swift recovery.

Saudi Arabia also reiterated its firm stance against all forms of violence.

A Saudi source told Reuters that Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities about the attacker after he posted extremist views on his personal X account that threatened peace and security.

The Muslim World League similarly condemned the attack, with the group reaffirming its stance against violence and all forms of terrorism.

In a statement, it also expressed ‘solidarity, heartfelt condolences, and sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, as well as to the German community.’