Ashi Studio unveils sculptural silhouettes in Paris

Ashi Studio unveils sculptural silhouettes in Paris
Ashi Studio, founded by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, presented its Fall/Winter 2026 haute couture collection on Tuesday. (Getty Images)
Short Url
Updated 09 July 2025
Follow

Ashi Studio unveils sculptural silhouettes in Paris

Ashi Studio unveils sculptural silhouettes in Paris

DUBAI: Ashi Studio, founded by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, presented its Fall/Winter 2026 haute couture collection during Paris Haute Couture Week, featuring a series of architectural gowns and tailored creations.

The collection focused on structured silhouettes and exaggerated proportions, with many looks emphasizing sharp tailoring, corsetry and sculpted waistlines. 




A palette of black, ivory and champagne was punctuated by shimmering metallics and embroidery. (Getty Images)

Several pieces featured dark satin corsets with lace trim, dramatic fishtails, high slits and cascading fringe panels. Throughout the collection, waists was cinched and hips were accentuated. 

A palette of black, ivory and champagne was punctuated by shimmering metallics and embroidery. Satin, tulle, lace and jacquard were prominent, with select garments incorporating feathers, beaded applique and textured embellishments. 

Several looks integrated embroidery that resembled botanical and animal motifs, while others featured sculptural three-dimensional elements like floral bustiers or carved wooden corsets. One standout piece was a cream ensemble embroidered with monkeys and leaves, while another featured a corset carved in a wood-like finish, wrapped by sculptural monkeys. 




One standout piece was a cream ensemble embroidered with monkeys and leaves, while another featured a corset carved in a wood-like finish, wrapped by sculptural monkeys. (Instagram)

Other designs included sheer tulle gowns with visible corsetry, jackets with dramatic shoulders and floral applique and fully sequined dresses embroidered with birds and foliage.

Some models carried small clutches made from matching textiles.



Nojoud Al-Rumaihi attended the show. (Getty Images) 



US rapper Cardi B was among the high-profile guests at the Paris-based brand’s presentation. She arrived wearing an ivory lace gown with a high-neck and long-sleeves. The dress featured sheer panels, tiered ruffles and a voluminous asymmetrical skirt. She completed the look with pointed heels and a side braid. 

The rapper posed for photos alongside Ashi ahead of the show.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

Ashi’s creations have been worn by the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Penélope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, Queen Rania of Jordan and more.  

Ashi became the first couturier from the Gulf region to join the Fédération de la Haute Couture in Paris as a guest member in 2023. He also became the first designer from the Gulf to be included in the BoF 500 list, the Business of Fashion’s index of the people shaping the fashion industry in 2023.

Ashi designed the inaugural fashion line for the cabin crew of the Kingdom’s new airline, Riyadh Air, which is on track to make its maiden flight this year. 


Pinterest releases autumn interior design trends in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Pinterest releases autumn interior design trends in UAE, Saudi Arabia
Updated 03 November 2025
Follow

Pinterest releases autumn interior design trends in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Pinterest releases autumn interior design trends in UAE, Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: Pinterest, the global visual-discovery engine and social-media platform, has unveiled its autumn trends in the UAE and Saudi Arabia as users flock to the site for interiors inspiration.

Arab News spoke to Nahel Selo, creative director at Sedar Global, who shared advice on engaging with the cool-weather trends.

Cubicle Chic

Workplace design searches surged 1,209 percent, according to the data, revealing a growing desire to inject creativity into compact spaces.

Selo said “soft lighting, layered textures, and inviting details that make productivity feel personal” are key.

Searches for home-office setups surged 398 percent from April to June 2025.

“Today’s work-from-home aesthetic embraces comfort through gentle divisions of space. Panel blinds and folding doors, for instance, create cozy yet defined zones that maintain flow and light.

“With ranges of room dividers and tactile wallpapers, even a quiet corner can be transformed into an inspiring workspace defined by tone, texture, and natural illumination,” Selo said.

'Today’s work-from-home aesthetic embraces comfort through gentle divisions of space,' Selo said. (Sedar Global)

Art Deco DIY

Generation Z in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, classified by Pinterest as between the ages of 18 and 24, are looking to curate their own Art Deco spaces with searches for the design style surging this year.

According to Selo, “their interpretation leans toward symmetry, sculptural silhouettes, and brushed gold details that feel timeless but not ornate. Sedar Global’s Met Collection captures this aesthetic beautifully.

The search for “art decor DIY” surged by 184 percent from April to June 2025, highlighting the desire for a cost-effective solution to keep up with trends. (Sedar Global)

“In this revival, opulence is found in the details: soft fabrics that catch the light, architectural curtain rods that echo sculptural form, and subtle metallic accents that evoke modern sophistication.”

The search for “art decor DIY” surged by 184 percent from April to June 2025, highlighting the desire for a cost-effective solution to keep up with trends.

 

 


Saudi stars join film masterclass in Jeddah

Saudi stars join film masterclass in Jeddah
Updated 03 November 2025
Follow

Saudi stars join film masterclass in Jeddah

Saudi stars join film masterclass in Jeddah

DUBAI: Saudi stars Fatima Al-Banawi and Roula Dakheelallah are among several professionals hosting a masterclass at the Alfwad Productions headquarters in Jeddah on Thursday.

The free workshop has been organized in collaboration with the Red Sea International Film Festival, as it prepares for its fifth edition from Dec. 4 to 13 in Jeddah.

Director and actress Al-Banawi will join Dakheelallah, who won the Best Actress award at the 25th Rotterdam Arab Film Festival this summer for her lead role in the Saudi Arabia movie “My Driver & I.”

Also participating are screenwriter Adham Abdulghani, and producer Antoine Khalife, who worked on Oscar-nominated titles “Capernaum” and “The Man Who Sold His Skin.”

The other participants are writer Waad Janbi, director Rmas Al-Hazmi, and actor Eissa Hafiz, who starred in “Basma,” directed by Al-Banawi.

Al-Banawi first gained prominence for her role in the 2016 drama “Barakah Meets Barakah.” She also starred in the Egyptian Netflix series “Paranormal.”

In 2020, she directed her first short film, “Until We See Light.” That same year, she co-wrote, co-directed and starred in “Al-Shak,” a Shahid Original series, which she shot fully from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, she directed her debut feature “Basma,” which premiered on Netflix that year. She wrote the screenplay, contributed an original song to the soundtrack, and played the lead.

The film follows a young Saudi woman who returns to her hometown of Jeddah after two years studying in the US, only to discover that her parents had divorced. The story explores her emotional reckoning with the past, including her father’s mental illness and the impact it had on the family.

Dakheelallah shot to fame in 2024 for her role in “My Driver & I,” which won the Best Narrative Feature Film award at last year’s Red Sea International Film Festival. The film was directed by Ahd Kamel and is a poignant coming-of-age story set in 1980s and 1990s Jeddah.

It focuses on the relationship between a rebellious girl, Salma, and her family’s chauffeur, a Sudanese man named Gamar, who quickly becomes her confidant, and a father figure in the absence of her biological parent, a busy businessman.

But as Salma grows up, their relationship becomes strained as Gamar tries to rein in her defiance, believing that he is protecting her reputation.

 


Where We Are Going Today: KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah
Updated 03 November 2025
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah

Located in Al-Zahra district, KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah offers a slice of Parisian indulgence with its signature dish, the famed L’Entrecote Originale.

The ambiance strikes a balance between sleek and cozy, with warm lighting, polished interiors, and soft music setting the tone for a leisurely evening.

The menu is short and sweet, featuring just one main course — a deliberate choice reflecting the restaurant’s focus on perfecting a single dish.

The highlight, and the only entree offered, is the L’Entrecote Originale: tender prime beef tenderloin grilled on a hot stone and generously coated in a creamy, buttery sauce inspired by a classic French recipe.

The dish arrives sizzling, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. While the sauce is rich and flavorful, it can feel a bit heavy after several bites.

Thankfully, the crispy fries provide balance, and the complimentary refill of fresh walnut salad adds a refreshing touch to complete the experience.

Portions are generous, ranging from 150–300 grams, allowing guests to tailor their meal to their appetite. Among add-ons, the baked potato is a must-try — perfectly fluffy inside with a crisp, golden skin.

Desserts bring a sweet finale, with the tiramisu and creme brulee standing out as clear winners. The chocolate fondue, however, could use a smoother texture and less dryness.

KOT L’Entrecote de Jeddah captures much of the French dining charm, though a slightly broader menu could offer diners more variety and elevate the overall experience. For more details, visit @kotdejeddah.

 


Simi, Haze Khadra promote new H&M collaboration with Glenn Martens

Simi, Haze Khadra promote new H&M collaboration with Glenn Martens
Updated 02 November 2025
Follow

Simi, Haze Khadra promote new H&M collaboration with Glenn Martens

Simi, Haze Khadra promote new H&M collaboration with Glenn Martens

DUBAI: US Palestinian beauty entrepreneurs and influencers Simi and Haze Khadra took to social media this week to promote Swedish retailer H&M’s latest collaboration with Belgian designer Glenn Martens.

The twins posed in a series of items from the new collection in a paid advertorial post on Instagram, captioning it “fade to black.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Simi & Haze (@simihaze)

The creative director of Diesel is part of Paris’ new guard of fashion designers and is known for infusing humor into his conceptual collections. Martens is also the creative head of Y/Project, which he expanded into a unisex brand.

Martens’ collection with H&M twists clothing archetypes into new and unexpected forms. The designer explored H&M’s archive and selected a range of historically popular key pieces, from best-selling T-shirts to checked shirts, bomber jackets and jeans. Each is reimagined as a newly designed piece, with trompe-l’œil elements. Many of the pieces can be transformed by the wearer thanks to the use of reshaping techniques, such as foil and wiring, to create sculptural forms.

“I see this collection as a big family of garments, all of which have multiple purposes and personalities: Like people, they grow and change each day. I am always interested in the clothes that we really live in, and the idea of archetypes and wardrobe staples was the starting point for this very special and joyful project,” Martens said in a released statement.

The Khadra sisters showed off a trench coat, scarf and various boots from the collection on social media.

The pair are no strangers to creativity and co-founded their own beauty brand, SimiHaze Beauty, in 2021.

Known for their bold and innovative stick-on makeup designs — such as chrome wings and holographic cat-eyes — the brand began with eye products and then expanded its offerings to include lipsticks and bronzing powders.

In 2024, they expanded their brand to the Middle East, describing the experience as “so surreal” to Arab News.

“The market has been such a huge goal of ours since we started because we grew up here,” Simi said in an interview at the time. “We’re so happy that our products are finally accessible to our amazing followers here.”


Malika El-Maslouhi shines in new holiday campaign

Malika El-Maslouhi shines in new holiday campaign
Updated 01 November 2025
Follow

Malika El-Maslouhi shines in new holiday campaign

Malika El-Maslouhi shines in new holiday campaign

DUBAI: Moroccan Italian model Malika El-Maslouhi appeared this week in a new holiday campaign for the French luxury label Guerlain.

In a photo shared on the brand’s Instagram page, the 26-year-old model, who has become a favorite on international runways, wore the limited-edition Rouge G lipstick from Guerlain’s Tale of Wonders Holiday Collection in shade G 877. She was also pictured holding the lipstick alongside the matching limited-edition Rouge G Stellar case.

In another image, she posed beside a gift box, wearing celestial-inspired jewelry that included dangling star-shaped earrings and matching rings featuring radiating motifs and delicate pave detailing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Guerlain (@guerlain)

El-Maslouhi, born in Milan to a Moroccan father and an Italian mother, began her modeling career at the age of 18. She has since appeared on runways for international fashion houses including Dior, Chanel, Valentino and Jacquemus, gracing the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Over the years, she has walked for brands such as Ulla Johnson, Prabal Gurung, David Koma, Boss, Missoni, Messika and more.

She has also featured in campaigns for brands such as Calvin Klein, Off-White and Lanvin, expanding her portfolio across both luxury and contemporary fashion.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Guerlain (@guerlain)

In August, she was the face of Anthropologie’s 2026 resort-wear campaign. The line blended breezy elegance with playful details including jewel-toned maxi dresses, sleek black knitted dress, and form-fitting satin gowns that would be perfect for date night.

El-Maslouhi has previously starred in Anthropologie’s summer campaigns. The catwalk star was photographed posing pool and beachside in pieces from Anthropologie’s summer offering, which include ready-to-wear, swimwear and accessories.

The model was seen sporting standout pieces including a lobster-embroidered cardigan, colorful printed shorts, loose summer dresses, tropical one-pieces, denim shorts, floral-printed maxi skirts and tie-up shirts in lightweight fabric, all from the “Sunrise, Jetset” collection.

Earlier this year, El-Maslouhi starred in Saint Levant’s music video for the song “Exile,” directed by Algerian French filmmaker Lyna Zerrouki. The video, which explores themes of longing, loss and hope, features El-Maslouhi against a striking blue backdrop, seemingly falling through the air.

In 2022, she was awarded the Model of the Year in Italy title.

Change Preferred Languages

Select Your Preferred Languages

Tap to add languages one at a time (Maximum 5)

Selected: 0/5
Tap to add languages...

We are now in 50 languages

Please login or register with your email to select your preferred languages