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Get yourself a bouquet of flowers that you never have to water and that will never wilt. Today, we are arranging our very own bouquet with LEGO bricks from the Botanical Collection.
Made from plant-based plastic, this kit was created from sustainably-sourced sugarcane and elements from nature, including trees, leaves and bushes.
You can feel good about making an eco-friendly bouquet that will live in your home forever and that is mindful of the environment. Add them into your favorite vase and these can make for a vibrant statement piece for your office or living room. They also make for great gifts, bringing flowers to friends and family without the worry of watering and maintenance.
Putting together your very own bouquet doesn’t take much skill — only patience and perhaps short nails (long acrylic nails will probably get in the way). The Internet is full of video tutorials for the kit if you prefer to watch someone put it together before you start. The kit comes with 756 pieces in individually-sealed bags with numbers printed at the front. Each flower has illustrated instructions in the booklet that it comes with.
This booklet mentions the story of how the Flower Bouquet came to be: American designer Anderson Grubb used to visit his grandmother’s blossom-filled garden in West Virginia as a child and spent hours reflecting on which flowers might one day translate into a LEGO shape.
Fast-forward to when he became a designer at LEGO, he collaborated with Denmark-based designer, Astrid Sundorf Christensen, and together they finalized the set. In this kit, you can make three cream-colored roses, two pink snapdragons, one lavender-colored lavender, one purple-hued aster, two white with yellow common daisies and one orange California Poppy.
You can choose which flower to begin with and do it at your own pace without getting your hands dirty.
Initially created to help LEGO employees play in a garden of their imagination to assist them into getting back on track after what the booklet calls “a physical or psychological setback,” this set can help any adult or disciplined child pass the time and de-stress.
The box suggests that it is suitable for adults, with it retailing for around SR299 ($79). It is available at LEGO stores throughout the Kingdom. For more information, visit @LegoMiddleEast.
DUBAI: It’s been a breakout year for 21-year-old Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair. At last month’s Paris Haute Couture Week, she walked the runway for some of the world’s most renowned couturiers, including Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika and Giorgio Armani, attracting international headlines. A couple of weeks before that, she picked up her Bachelor’s degree (with first-class honors) in philosophy, politics, and economics from King’s College, London.
Al-Zuhair signed to the prestigious Elite Model Management agency aged just 15. “I was having lunch with my family at a restaurant in Paris, and I was spotted by a former Elite agent who told me I should go to the agency and that they’d really like me. So I went, and within 10 minutes I got a contract, which was pretty surreal,” Al-Zuhair tells Arab News.
But she didn’t become a model full-time until she was 18. Instead, she had a gradual introduction to the industry with test shoots and editorials.
“School and my education have been a top priority,” she explains. “I’ve always been a bit of a nerd — I represented my school in national math competitions, I was head of the math team, and a member of the UK’s Youth Parliament. And then I focused on my degree. It’s still my goal today to become a lawyer.”
Al-Zuhair was born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father. She was raised in London, however (“My father wanted me to follow his steps and graduate from a UK university,” she says). The family traveled frequently between the UK and Riyadh, so Al-Zuhair feels a strong cultural and emotional attachment to the Kingdom.
“I love Saudi. It’s a big part of who I am and I really appreciate everything that’s going on at the moment — the advancements in culture, education, economy, and infrastructure,” she says. “The current leadership has done an amazing job at putting the country at the forefront of the global stage, and I’m really proud to see these changes.”
Although Al-Zuhair grew up in Europe, she says she was raised with “traditional values” and that her religion is very dear to her. From the get-go, she was clear about what she would, or wouldn’t, be prepared to do as a model.
“I think the industry is very accommodating,” she says. “It’s all about what boundaries you set. My agency is amazing – and these boundaries have been respected with all aspects of my work and with all my clients. I’ve been very fortunate to have a very good experience.”
Paris Haute Couture Week was a triumph for Al-Zuhair — if you ignore the time that some guy on a bike tried unsuccessfully to steal her vintage purse. In the same month, she was also part of Dolce & Gabbana’s monumental show in Sicily, where the label celebrated 10 years of its Alta Moda line. Wearing a black habit and black dress with sheer panels, she was an absolute vision on the runway situated in the historic Piazza Duomo in Siracusa.
Al-Zuhair has also worked with some of the industry’s biggest names in the form of ad campaigns and editorials, including Tiffany & Co, Burberry, and Carolina Herrera. In 2020, she landed her first Vogue Arabia cover, attracting widespread praise.
“It was shot in NEOM, and we were the first group to shoot there,” she says. “It was such an exhilarating experience because I discovered a whole new side of Saudi Arabia. It’s just one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen — the sea, the mountains, the land — you cannot get sick of the views. We had lots of trailers in the middle of the desert; it kind of felt like a movie set. I also got to meet lots of local Saudi production members and stylists. It was so nice to have that representation.”
Juggling a demanding modeling career and a full-time university course was no easy feat. “That that was one of the most difficult aspects — the balance. It requires a lot of discipline and good time-management because every second counts. Every day I had to study, exercise, eat, go to university and see my family. There weren’t enough hours. Once, I went to Milan for work, and within 48 hours I’d been in five different cities and four countries.”
Al-Zuhair shows no signs of slowing down, though. She’s already applying to universities to continue her education and it’s clear that her modeling career is on a steep upward trajectory, with labels and brands clamoring to work with her. It seems that she’ll grab as many opportunities as possible.
“With each show you get a different atmosphere, mood and energy. There’s a different inspiration behind each collection, and that’s reflected in the clothes and the we way act and walk. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve been given and to all of these designers for trusting me. It’s a big responsibility,” she says. “I see the work that goes into it behind the scenes, and it’s a very emotional experience. To me, fashion is an art and a form of self-expression. I’m honored to be able to present these collections and their designers’ works of art to the world.”
DUBAI: From Priyanka Chopra to Lupita Nyong’o and Adriana Lima, Saudi Arabian designer Honayda Serafi has dressed many A-listers around the world. Since founding her label Honayda in 2016, Serafi has captured the attention of some of Saudi’s most stylish women and celebrities with her standout designs in elegant and sophisticated silhouettes. This month, she became the first Saudi designer to showcase her collection at Harrods in London, reaching yet another pinnacle for her label.
“I feel very proud as Honayda is the first female-led Saudi label to be displayed at Harrods. The collaboration had been cooking for about eight months, and it was a pleasure working with their team on this exciting launch of exclusive pieces available only at Harrods. It is an honor to be retailing at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious department stores — but definitely, the journey is ongoing, and we are not stopping here,” said Serafi.
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Not only is this a major milestone for the brand, but it also serves as an inspiration for other emerging labels from the Kingdom. Since founding her brand, Serafi has always aimed to join the international fashion scene, while also aiming to inspire other female Saudi designers into believing in their potential. “I hope this brings inspiration to all talented Saudi designers. The world is full of opportunities, and there is a place for everyone. To the rising designers, I tell them to focus on their goals and to keep pushing themselves harder,” she said.
The Saudi design scene has rapidly evolved in the last few years, with talent from the region being recognized internationally, especially on the red carpet. With the establishment of the Fashion Council and its initiatives like the mentorship and incubation programs, homegrown designers can access the many resources they need to advance in the industry.
“When I first started my brand, the fashion scene in Saudi Arabia was still young. I discovered every aspect of creating from my own experiences — starting from sourcing to tailoring and selling. Since then, I’ve seen amazing growth in the industry. By forging and implementing several programs that aim to promote Saudi fashion locally and internationally, the Fashion Commission has put a great deal into developing the sector in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Proudly wearing her Saudi heritage on her sleeve, Serafi’s mission has always been to empower women through her clothes. “I believe in women empowering women. The brand was nurtured in a way to have a cause and to be one with a voice. Stepping ahead by supporting and lifting each other proves achievable when we join forces. Women know and love Honayda because they relate to it.”
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The starting point of every Honayda collection is based on the women who have inspired Serafi and those who have left a mark in history — be it from the past or the modern day. Her fall/winter 22 collection at Harrods is no different. Titled “A Charm from Afghan,” the designs are an ode to the powerful character of Afghan women, their strength and the country’s spectacular architecture.
BEIRUT: Lebanese Italian fashion designer Tony Ward recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his eponymous fashion brand and the 70th anniversary of his father’s establishment, Elie Ward’s Ateliers. A pioneer of Lebanese haute couture, Elie opened his own label in 1952 at the age of 16, dressing Lebanese high society during the country’s golden age. His timeless suits populated the wardrobes of the Lebanese elite. Strengthened by this heritage, Tony chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and presented his first collection in 1997. Despite training in France in the most prestigious fashion houses, he never forgot his origins or the history of his family. He went on to set up his boutique and workshop in the heart of Beirut because “inspiration changes and creations evolve, but heritage remains.”
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A few days after the anniversary exhibition, which was held in the elegant headquarters of his Beirut studio, Tony spoke to Arab News about his father’s legacy. An eye for detail, boundless creativity and a sense for beauty are among the many attributes that Tony declares owing to his father. “Elie Ward was a pioneer, one of the pillars of the industry during the great Beirut era,” said Tony. “Known and recognized for the perfection of his tailoring techniques, he always designed clothes according to the rules of the art.” This is precisely what we see in the documentary entitled “Forever Forward,” screened as part of the exhibition and directed by Zoya Ward Issa El-Khoury, Tony’s sister, a renowned filmmaker. This film not only retraces the history of the Ward house, but it also presents the sewing techniques, exploring the label’s phases of evolution and reflection.
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Tony does not allow himself to be carried away by his success, of course. The designer and his wife, Anna, a photographer and partner at the fashion house, are deeply invested in helping their community. In 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, they decided to transform their sewing workshop — shut down due to the pandemic — and manufacture bedding for the government hospital in Beirut. What advice would Tony give to young people who want to get into the business? “There is a place for everyone. You must learn, gain experience and make mistakes, and you should not be afraid of failure. You should be humble and listen to your customers,” said the designer. Tony concluded that his biggest wish today is to “see the international clientele come back to Lebanon.”
This story was originally published in French on Arab News en Français.
DUBAI: Palestinian Dutch supermodel Bella Hadid this week opened up about starring in the third season of Hulu’s “Ramy.”
The Emmy-nominated show, starring comedian Ramy Youssef, is about an Egyptian-American living in New Jersey who is determined to become a better Muslim as he grows into an adult, often stumbling along the way.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Hadid, who stars as a “weirdo girlfriend,” recalled moments on set that made her heart full. On the first day, the crew surprised her with a shirt that stated: “Free Palestine.”
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“I couldn’t handle my emotions,” Hadid said. “Growing up and being Arab, it was the first time that I’d ever been with like-minded people. I was able to see myself.”
Youssef and Hadid first connected when the Golden Globe winner emailed the runway star and asked if she would be interested to guest star in the show. After a long Zoom conversation, Hadid agreed.
“I was like, this is perfect,” Hadid said. “We hadn’t even met before, but I had a feeling it was going to be kismet.”
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The catwalk star, who has always been vocal about her support for Palestine, said that her friendship with Youssef grew stronger during the show.
“There was one time where Ramy came over during Ramadan and allowed me to pray with him,” she told the publication. “And it was one of the most beautiful moments of my adult life.”
Hadid, who was born in Washington, D.C., said her family relocated to California when she was a toddler. “I was with my Palestinian side (of the family in D.C.),” she said.
The relocation was not easy for her, she said.
“I would have loved to grow up and be with my dad every day and studying and really being able to practice, just in general being able to live in a Muslim culture,” she said. “But I wasn’t given that.”
“I speak about (this stuff) for the elderly that are still living there that have never been able to see Palestine free, and for the children that can still grow up and have a beautiful life,” she added.
RIYADH: Ready-to-wear Saudi luxury label Hindamme launched its new collection, “SEASON V,” that explores relationships to families, communities, and the Earth.
The brand, established by designer Mohammed Khoja, became well known for successfully fusing Eastern and Western cultures through modern, opulent apparel in forward-thinking, creative designs.
“Autobiographical in its spirit, the brand’s latest offering investigates the deeper and more meaningful connections in life,” said Khoja.
“What inspired this collection is bringing together the community, building new connections and reconnecting with nature. It has a very positive theme, and the reason why I wanted to create it was because I felt it was therapeutic for myself, and potentially for others especially considering our recent circumstances” he added.
Through its aesthetic, “SEASON V” applies the science of color theory, with pieces that feature mood-inducing gradients as well as futuristic and nature-inspired motifs in fabrics like velvet, nylon, and satin. A joyful ode to new beginnings, “SEASON V” reflects themes of resilience, aspiration, and gratitude.
“Every time I wear the bomber jacket from (the) ‘SEASON V’ collection, people often me an curious to know more about the piece, which is very rewarding to me.” Khoja said. The jackets have these attractive, vibrant yet calming tons with the embossed calligraphy of the Arabic word meaning ‘Earth’ on the back, which the designer drew himself.
Through its aesthetic, ‘SEASON V’ applies the science of color theory, with pieces that feature mood- inducing gradients as well as futuristic and nature-inspired motifs in fabrics like velvet, nylon, and satin. A joyful ode to new beginnings, ‘SEASON V’ reflects themes of resilience, aspiration, and gratitude.
Indeed, much of the collection reflects the designer’s love of calligraphy, with the Arabic ‘Earth’ motif applied in embossed, padded embroideries throughout several items.
“SEASON V” also introduces a specially commissioned collaboration with Kyoto-based Japanese artist Ikegami Yorikyuki, that features prints of a mural entitled “A Certain Planet” in several pieces throughout the collection.
The most recent editorial lookbook of “SEASON V” also brought together a number of Middle Eastern multi-disciplinary artists to produce a collection of prints that reflect an NFT-inspired universe that honors nature and denotes both our current connection to, and disconnection from it.
I collaborated with a number of Arab creatives I really look up to to produce a series of art photography as an editorial for the new collection. It was a beautiful, in a sense, as it produced a diverse fusion of art, photography and fashion within these visuals.
The photography is by Riyadh based photographer Kinzy, art directed by Amman based visual artist Zaid Allozi, styling by Haya Abdullah and makeup and hair by Hessa Al Ajaji and assisted by Nourah Osamah.
About naming the collection “SEASON V” Khoja told Arab News: “From the beginning of establishing my brand, I decided to do drops, as what they refer to in the fashion world, rather than follow a season, and I felt like the easiest way to document each season was by giving it a number, and in this case, it was in Roman format, but I also do smaller collections between each season.”
In each of its collections, Hindamme, which in the old Arabic dialect means “to possess perfect harmony,” frequently combines different genres.
Khoja spoke about the importance of connecting young Saudi designers to investors for support, putting Saudi fashion brands in malls and showrooms.
Through Hindamme, Khoja has been a trailblazer in influencing and advancing Saudi Arabia’s fashion and cultural landscape with his “East meets West” philosophy.
He launched Hindamme in 2016, incorporating patterns like “Al-Qatt Al-Aseeri” from his native land and highlighting frequently ignored elements of heritage to a new audience in a contemporary and forward-thinking format.
He was inspired by reflecting elements of his everyday life and larger cultural and social themes through his designs.
Many of his pieces have also won recognition on a global scale and are now part of permanent collections at a number of museums.