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‘The future of fashion is here’ US designer Norma Kamali says at WWD Global Fashion Summit in Riyadh

‘The future of fashion is here’ US designer Norma Kamali says at WWD Global Fashion Summit in Riyadh
Iconic designer Norma Kamali spoke to the audience about her experience as a fashion entrepreneur. (Arab News)
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Updated 06 June 2024
Rahaf Jambi
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‘The future of fashion is here’ US designer Norma Kamali says at WWD Global Fashion Summit in Riyadh

‘The future of fashion is here’ US designer Norma Kamali says at WWD Global Fashion Summit in Riyadh
Updated 06 June 2024
Rahaf Jambi
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RIYADH: Riyadh played host to the Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) Global Fashion Summit at King Abdullah Financial District on Thursday, with US fashion designer Norma Kamali featured in the line-up of speakers.  

 Throughout the day, there were several workshops and conference sessions that discussed a variety of topics related to entering the Saudi market and sustainability at the event that was  held in partnership with the Saudi Fashion Commission and King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company

Iconic designer Kamali spoke to the audience about her experience as a fashion entrepreneur.

Kamali, who started her business in 1967, is known for such statement pieces as the celebrity-loved sleeping bag coat, the high heeled sneaker and the Parachute Collection.

 During her afternoon session at the summit, the designer emphasized that the Saudi fashion industry is at a crossroads.

 “Saudi Arabia is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking countries in fashion and young designers here know their heritage and they have the technology and support,” she said.

“So, my advice for the designers is to really pay attention to the opportunity you have and don't let it pass by because this is your moment and I believe the future of fashion really is here,” Kamali added.

The designer also touched on Artificial Intelligence and how important it is for the fashion industry to adopt it.

"I want to live to be 120 years old, but when I pass away, the team will have a ton of my AI tips and tricks. It's an exciting tool that's a lot of fun to use," she stated.  

Kamali received the WWD International Designer of the Year Award at the Global Fashion Summit.

In the evening, the Fashion Awards will celebrate the achievements of Saudi designers through a ceremony. Among many accolades, the Designer of the Year award will be presented to a creative whose work has impacted the fashion industry.

“We are thrilled to witness the burgeoning fashion industry in Saudi Arabia gaining global recognition. Hosting WWD’s annual Global Fashion Summit for the first time in our region, right here in the heart of Riyadh, is an exciting moment,” said Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, in a previously released statement.

 

Topics: Saudi Arabia WWD Saudi fashion commission Global Fashion Summit Norma Kamali

‘Disney movies unite us,’ says Louaye Moulayess as he promotes ‘Moana 2’

‘Disney movies unite us,’ says Louaye Moulayess as he promotes ‘Moana 2’
Updated 24 November 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
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‘Disney movies unite us,’ says Louaye Moulayess as he promotes ‘Moana 2’

‘Disney movies unite us,’ says Louaye Moulayess as he promotes ‘Moana 2’
Updated 24 November 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar

DUBAI: From a young age, Lebanese animator Louaye Moulayess has loved Disney movies.

Speaking to Arab News about his latest project, “Moana 2,” which is released in cinemas in the Middle East on Nov. 28, Moulayess said diverse voice is what makes Disney storytelling so compelling.

From a young age, Lebanese animator Louaye Moulayess has loved Disney movies. (Supplied)

“We all grew up with different kinds of stories told to us, right? I grew up with specific Lebanese stories. For example, if I turned on the TV in Lebanon as compared to somebody in Lisbon, for example, we’re going to watch different things. Our sensibilities are going to be a bit different. Now we all have something in common, which is Disney movies,” he told Arab News.

At a time when his home country, Lebanon, is defending against Israeli attacks, US-based Moulayess finds comfort in his work and storytelling. “It all comes back to the stories my grandparents and parents told me,” he said, adding that Disney movies have always brought him hope.

“Moana 2,” set in ancient Polynesia, picks up three years after the events of the 2016 original. Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) receives an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors and forms her own crew to travel the vast seas of Oceania, reuniting with her shapeshifting, magical friend, Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

“I loved the first movie. When I started working on ‘Moana 2,’ I felt like I already knew the characters very well. So, I knew Moana and I knew Maui … I knew how they moved, I knew what their personalities were. But, at the same time, they became somebody else three years after.

“So, the challenge was a bit different compared a new movie, where we would have had to figure out the characters and how they moved and how they behave. The challenge here was, I know this character, but this character has changed. How do we make it new and find the specificity of this new personality?” Moulayess said.

When asked what sparked his interest in animation, Moulayess pointed to Disney again. “I think the moment I made my decision was after watching ‘Lion King.’ Like the first sequence of the ‘Circle of Life,’ after that when everything goes black and you see the title of the movie. It really shocked me in the best way. I was like, ‘Who is this Walt Disney?’ I thought it was one person doing this back when I was a kid, because I saw the name Walt Disney. I was like, ‘It must be one person doing this.’ And I decided I’d do this one day. So, this is what triggered everything. And slowly, I just gravitated towards animation,” he said.

Now based in Burbank, California, Moulayess left Lebanon for the US as a young student.

“In Lebanon, when I graduated high school, I looked around for majors that had animation, but back then, there wasn’t anything available. Now there are a couple schools that offer animation majors.

“Back then, I knew I had to leave to make my studies, so I went to San Francisco and joined a school called Academy of Art University in San Francisco,” Moulayess said.

After four years of university, Moulayess landed himself an internship with Pixar Animation Studios. “I was very, very lucky that I did an internship there, where I worked on ‘Cars 2,’” he said.

From there, he moved on to Blue Sky Studios for “seven wonderful years,” working on the “Ice Age” films, “The Peanuts Movie” and “Ferdinand,” before making his way to Disney in 2019, working on “Frozen 2” before taking on “Raya and the Last Dragon.” 

Topics: Louaye Moulayess Moana 2 disney

Fans praise co-star as May Calamawy’s role is cut from ‘Gladiator II’

Fans praise co-star as May Calamawy’s role is cut from ‘Gladiator II’
Updated 24 November 2024
Arab News
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Fans praise co-star as May Calamawy’s role is cut from ‘Gladiator II’

Fans praise co-star as May Calamawy’s role is cut from ‘Gladiator II’
Updated 24 November 2024
Arab News

DUBAI: Fans of Egyptian Palestinian “Moon Knight” actress May Calamawy have taken to social media to complain after almost all her scenes were cut from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” while co-star Pedro Pascal seemed to wade into the online debate this week by sharing behind-the-scenes shots including the actress.

Pascal posted a series of photographs on Instagram taken on the film shoot in Morocco, including several snaps with Calamawy, after she was removed from all promotional material and largely removed from the film.

“Thank you for reminding people May Calamawy was in ‘Gladiator II.’ So sad how she’s been treated in this,” one user commented on his Instagram post.

The 38-year-old star played the dual role of Layla El-Faouly and Scarlet Scarab in Marvel series “Moon Knight” before being cast in the highly anticipated “Gladiator II,” a sequel to the Oscar-winning original released in 2000.

Her casting in the film was first announced in May 2023.

At the time, Deadline reported that Scott had cast Calamawy after a lengthy search, writing: “While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the (Paul) Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed.

“Given the importance of the character to the story, Scott wanted a thorough search, and following multiple auditions Calamawy landed the part,” Deadline added.

However, fans noticed that in the final cut, which hit cinemas last weekend, Calamawy is only seen in passing and she has no dialogue.

Scott has yet to comment on Calamawy’s removal from the two hour and 28-minute film, although her storyline may have not made it past the editing stage in order to trim the runtime.

Regardless, fans on social media are unhappy about the cuts.

“May Calamawy you will always be loved!!! They didn’t deserve you anyway,” one social media user wrote on X, while another posted: “You had May Calamawy … and you decided to cut her? This could’ve possibly been her breakout role!”

Calamawy also stars in upcoming crime mystery “The Actor,” alongside André Holland, Gemma Chan, Toby Jones and Tracey Ullman.

Pakistan’s Iram Parveen Bilal bags Best Director award for ‘Wakhri’ at Indian film festival

Pakistan’s Iram Parveen Bilal bags Best Director award for ‘Wakhri’ at Indian film festival
Updated 24 November 2024
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Pakistan’s Iram Parveen Bilal bags Best Director award for ‘Wakhri’ at Indian film festival

Pakistan’s Iram Parveen Bilal bags Best Director award for ‘Wakhri’ at Indian film festival
  • Wakhri, meaning one of a kind, is inspired by life of murdered Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch
  • Yellowstone International Film Festival is an Indian festival that showcases films from around the world
Updated 24 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani director Iram Parveen Bilal this week bagged the Best Director Feature Film award at the fifth Yellowstone International Film Festival, held in India’s New Delhi, for her film “Wakhri.”
Wakhri, meaning one of a kind in the Punjabi language, was inspired by the life of murdered Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch. The film’s plot revolves around the challenges faced by a widowed schoolteacher named Noor, who becomes a social media sensation overnight. 
Yellowstone International Film Festival is an Indian film festival that showcases films from around the world, providing a platform for filmmakers. With special categories such as women empowerment films, environmental films and student films, this year’s YIFF was held from Nov. 15-20 in New Delhi. 
“Thank you for the honor, [YIFF] jury and organizers,” Bilal wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “[Wakhri] shines brightest with its audiences. Deep gratitude to my entire team, cast and crew alike, for enhancing my vision every step of the way.”
Wakhri had its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023 before its release in Pakistan on Jan. 5 this year. 
Written by Bilal and Mehrub Moiz Awan, Wakhri has been produced by Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi and Bilal’s Parveen Shah Productions.
The film stars prominent Pakistani actress Faryal Mehmood in the lead role, Gulshan Mated, Sajjad Gul, Salem Mairaj, Sohail Sameer, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Akbar Islam, Tooba Siddiqui, Behjat Nizami and Bushra Habib.

Bella Hadid guest stars on ‘Holland’s Next Top Model’ alongside her mother

Bella Hadid guest stars on ‘Holland’s Next Top Model’ alongside her mother
Updated 23 November 2024
Arab News
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Bella Hadid guest stars on ‘Holland’s Next Top Model’ alongside her mother

Bella Hadid guest stars on ‘Holland’s Next Top Model’ alongside her mother
Updated 23 November 2024
Arab News

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian model Bella Hadid shared a series of images from her experience as a guest judge on “Holland’s Next Top Model,” the reality series where her mother, Yolanda Hadid, serves as one of the judges.

The post features a carousel of photos and videos, including moments with her mother, the show’s judges and contestants, as well as behind-the-scenes shots from various photoshoots.

In the caption, the runway star expressed her excitement about her fragrance brand, Orebella, being featured on the episode, describing it as “a dream.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)

She said: “Thank you @hollandsnexttopmodelnl for having me on as a guest judge! To have @orebella be shot, on a show so dear to my heart, in my most beautiful Holland, was a dream.”

Hadid also reflected on her admiration for her mother. “To watch my mama work and be a second mama to a new generation of young creative human beings is such a blessing to me! Things that my mom can teach, she wasn’t taught. It’s part of who she is,” she said. “Her talent, nurturing ability, maternal instincts, confidence in hard work and success, faith in people and love for fashion is what makes her so special, especially on a show like this. I am so proud of you, mama.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)

The model described the transformative journey of the contestants on the show. “This was just an incredible experience to watch these young women and men push themselves but also grow to know themselves better than when they arrived,” she added. “I saw so much of myself in every one of them, and I am proud of each one for getting through a competition that I know for sure is mentally and physically exhausting.”

Hadid launched her brand in May with three fragrances: Salted Muse, Blooming Fire and Window2Soul.

In August, she expanded her collection with the launch of a new scent called Nightcap, described as a “warm and spicy” fragrance featuring notes of ginger, cardamom and vanilla.

For the launch, she hosted a party in West Hollywood, where she wore a dusty-pink gown with delicate embroidery and bow detail from Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad.

Topics: Bella Hadid Holland’s Next Top Model

Part-Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Balmain’s Resort 2025 campaign

Part-Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Balmain’s Resort 2025 campaign
Updated 23 November 2024
Arab News
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Part-Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Balmain’s Resort 2025 campaign

Part-Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Balmain’s Resort 2025 campaign
Updated 23 November 2024
Arab News

DUBAI: French Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair this week shared pictures from her latest campaign with Balmain, showcasing the brand’s Resort 2025 collection.

In one of the images, Al-Zuhair donned a strapless denim mini dress paired with two matching denim handbags and calf-high black boots.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Balmain (@balmain)

In the second image, she wore a black sequined two-piece outfit, featuring a crop top and a high-waisted skirt. The design incorporates gold and silver embellishments, with the top featuring the word “L’aime,” meaning “loves” in French. The setting, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, tied the look to the brand’s Parisian roots.

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Balmain (@balmain)

She showcased a structured gray blazer over a classic black T-shirt, complemented by vibrant red suede over-the-knee boots that added a bold pop of color. Her ensemble was completed with a neutral-toned shoulder bag and a striking gold pendant necklace.

The model has been spending the week in Dubai and shared a moment on Instagram featuring an advertisement she spotted for Maison Alaia in Dubai Mall. “Casually shopping in Dubai Mall … and look who I found,” she said in the caption.

Al-Zuhair also shared a photo of herself having lunch with a friend at Al Mandaloun, a Lebanese restaurant in Dubai.

Topics: Balmain Amira Al-Zuhair

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