DUBAI: Saudi fashion and lifestyle influencer Jory Almaiman shares her memorable style moments, good and bad advice, and her favorite movies
Best TV show or film you’ve ever seen?
My favorite show is definitely “Gossip Girl.” I grew up watching it and it shaped my childhood passion for fashion so much. In terms of films, it’s “The Great Gatsby” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I could watch them over and over and never get bored.
Worst film you’ve ever seen?
The recent “Joker” sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” was a bit of a disappointment.
Best personal style moment so far?
I’d definitely say whenever I’m in Paris I always find myself in something new and I fall in love with it.
Worst personal style moment?
Looking back at my teenage years, I was so experimental and it’s always funny to look back at them. I was in my Avril Lavigne and Paramore phase — I’ll leave it to your imagination to see me in those American Apparel disco pants!
Best accessory for a little black dress?
I’ve always believed that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and they always make any outfit better, especially a little black dress.
Worst accessory for a little black dress?
You can never go wrong with accessorizing a little black dress. Anything goes with it!
Best fashion trend of 2024?
Earthy tones are so in and I am here for them! From burgundy to all shades of brown, I just feel like they complement any skin tone.
Worst fashion trend of 2024?
Coquette! I feel like everyone’s getting the wrong idea about the trend and all I see now is bows everywhere. In reality, coquette’s all about pearls and lace — and of course bows, but the misinterpretation is what makes me hate it and now all I see is anyone with a bow saying that it’s coquette style.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always follow your dreams. If you’re passionate about something and you work hard towards that, you will find yourself achieving your dream.
Worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Go with the flow. It’s not necessarily bad advice, but you should always have certain standards — know your worth and what you deserve and never settle for less.
Best book you’ve ever read?
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger. It’s because of the extreme empathy for the main character that he’s able to make me feel about a person that I might not ordinarily have wanted to read about.
Worst book you’ve ever read?
“Modelland” by Tyra Banks. It’s a kind of boarding school, fantasy, dystopian story, part-“Worst Witch,” part-“Cinderella,” part-“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” It was so confusing for me.
Best thing to do when you’re feeling low?
Surround myself with my family. It’s always been something that I do whenever I feel low. It just makes me feel whole.
Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?
Making decisions in a good mood is a bad idea. I always find myself saying yes to things when I’m in a good mood, and the next thing is, I realize that it was an emotional decision that I made, when in reality I didn’t want to agree to it.
Best holiday destination?
I can’t pick a favorite, but I would say my top three are the south of France, Lisbon and Bali.
Worst holiday destination?
I don’t believe there is one. You just have to call it an experience and take it as an adventure.
Best subject at school?
Art. I always found myself experimenting with something new and different mediums.
Worst subject at school?
Chemistry. As fun as the experiments were, when it came down to being tested it was not my strong suit.
Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day?
Have a routine. Scheduling everything and being able to tick them off always gives me the pleasure of achievement and productivity.
Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day?
Getting distracted and pulling yourself away from what it is that you need to get done.
