As 2017 comes to an end, Vogue Arabia notes the key defining fashion moments of the year.
Vogue Arabia Print Launches
The debut issue of Vogue Arabia launched in March and featured Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid photographed by Inez and Vinoodh, and styled by Brandon Maxwell, on the dual covers. The launch of Vogue Arabia— the 22nd edition of the renowned publication— was a historic one on many levels. It was the first Vogue to break into the market in digital prior to print, the first Middle EasternVogue publication in both Arabic and English, and the only Vogue to cover an entire region. So far, there have been a total of nine issues, which have featured Bella Hadid, Halima Aden, Nora Attal, Rihanna, Farida Khelfa, Kenza Fourati, Afef Jnifen, Jourdan Dunn, Pooja Mor, and Imaan Hammam on the covers.
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Halima Aden Makes Her Runway Debut at Yeezy Season 5
Yeezy Season 5 Fall 2017 . Indigital.tv
When Halima Aden stepped out at Yeezy Season 5 wearing an oversized, fuzzy coat last February, she went on to make history as the first hijab-wearing model to appear on an International runway and be signed to leading modeling agency IMG Models. The Somali beauty went on to walk for Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti during Milan Fashion Week, as well as grace the cover of Vogue Arabia’s June issue. The Somali-American model first made headlines last year by becoming the first hijab-wearing woman to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. The 20-year-old also broke grounds when she donned a burkini in the swimsuit category of the competition.
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Nike Debuts the Pro Hijab
Nike athlete and professional fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad wearing the Nike Pro Hijab. Courtesy of Nike
In an effort to make global sports more inclusive to women, Nike introduced a high performance Pro Hijab made specifically for Muslim athletes. The sporty headgear, which hit shelves earlier this month, made its runway debut at Saudi designer Mashael Alrajhi’s show during Fashion Forward Dubai in October, and was photographed in plenty of editorials before its official release date. Featuring ultra lightweight, stretchy fabric and miniature breathable holes for venting, the game-changing hijab was first tested out by a number of Muslim athletes such as Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari and Egyptian Nike Run Club coach Manal Rostom. The Pro Hijab was also nominated for this year’s Beazley Design of the Year award, which was won by Ikea’s flatpack refugee shelter last year. The award’s aim is to recognise the world’s best designs in six different categories – fashion, architecture, digital, graphics, product, and transport – before naming an overall winner in January 2018.
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The Modest Movement Evolves
The Muses of Modesty feature photographed by Francesco Scotti for Vogue Arabia, September 2017
Following successful turns in Istanbul and London, the third edition of Modest Fashion Week, spearheaded by Franka Soeria and Özlem Şahin, made its Middle Eastern debut in Dubai’s Burj Park overlooking the Burj Khalifa. The two-day event served as a platform to showcase collections by global modest fashion ready-to-wear, abaya, and couture designers. In addition to runway shows, DMFW— Which kicked off with a Modenisa catwalk show, featuring Halima Aden— included interactive talks and workshops. In attendance were a number of modest influencers including Dina Torkia, Habiba da Silva, Mariah Idrissi, Nabilabee, Saufiya Goodson among others.
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Safiya Abdallah photographed by Francesco Scotti for Vogue Arabia, September 2017
Designer, Vogue Arabia star, and social activist Safiya Abdallah ignited a #>Hijabi campaign about the diversity of the modest dressing movement also in November 2017. Abdallah’s campaign aims to shatter stereotypes surrounding the hijab, as well as kickstarting a positive, self-affirming conversation about the different styles women connect with the ways of modesty.
See the video exclusively here.
Fashion Loses the Legendary Couturier Alaïa
Grace Jones and Azzedine Alaia. Rex
Azzedine Alaïa passed away in Paris in November at the age of 82 from heart failure. Shortly after news broke of the iconoclastic Tunisian designer’s passing, emotional tributes began to pour in from friends and fashion insiders from around the world. A month to the day of his passing, the house he built released a statement announcing its continuation by way of a number of events and exhibitions. The first exhibition is set to take place in late January, during Haute Couture Week in Paris, in his Marais atelier. The tribute exhibition will display his couture creations. Then in Spring 2018, the newly-opened London Design Museum will host “Azzedine Alaïa: the Couturier”.
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Fashion Forward Moves Into its 10th Season
Backstage ahead of the Arwa al Banawi show at Fashion Forward October 2017 held at the Dubai Design District on October 26, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Twenty-eight designers showcased their Spring 2018 collections during the milestone 10th season of Fashion Forward at Dubai Design District. Among them were six returning and new women’s and menswear designers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The up-and-coming labels (the longest-running of them, Mashael AlRajhi, was launched in 2013) showcased strong, wearable collections that are sporty, contemporary, modest, and on-trend.
Read Vogue Arabia’s exclusive interview with FFWD founder Bong Guerrero here.
The Supers Reunite at Versace
Versace Spring 2018. Getty
Donatella Versace gave the Spring 2018 Milan Fashion Week the most unforgettable runway moment by bringing back Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen during the finale of the Versace show. An ode to her murdered brother Gianni, who founded the house, the ’90’s era supermodels posed in gold lame before taking to the catwalk to the chorus of George Michael’s “Freedom”. Donatella brought back the excitement to the brands latest spring 2018 ad campaign, which features a star studded model lineup, including Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Gisele Bündchen, Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, lensed by renowned fashion photographer and longtime House collaborator Steven Meisel. The campaign is titled “A New School Take on Family Tradition,” and comprises of stunning collection of images and videos.
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Bouchra Jarrar exits Lanvin, Christopher Bailey departs Burberry, and Clare Waight Keller makes her Givenchy Debut
Photographed by François Goize
It’s been a year of designer musical chairs. Bouchra Jarrar stepped down from her role as Creative Director of Lanvin in July after showing only two collections for the storied Parisian House. The designer, who was named the successor to Alber Elbaz in 2016, exited her position before the Spring 2018 show. Jarrar’s departure was followed by another major change in an iconic fashion house. Christopher Bailey, the British designer who helped pivot Burberry into a global luxury brand, left his post as president and chief creative officer after 17-years at the helm. Meanwhile, this year saw former Chloé Creative Director Clare Waight Keller make her debut at Givenchy with a presentation of the Spring 2018 collection during Paris Fashion Week in front of a star-studded front row that included Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Julianne Moore, Fan Bingbing, and Lily Collins.
Read the full stories here, here, and here.
Condé Nast International Hosts its Luxury Conference in Oman
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat, Oman. Courtesy of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa
In April, fashion industry denizens flocked to the capital of Oman for the annual Condé Nast International Luxury Conference held in
