
Inside Vogue Arabia's June Saudi 2025 Issue
Photo: Nora Alharthi by Fahad Al Shanbari near Jabal Cafe, Taif
A new wave of Saudi creatives and entrepreneurs take centre stage in this month's issue. Photographed in the predominantly-male rose fields of Taif, Nora Alharthi personifies the kingdom's progressive path, having created a luxury e-commerce business stemming from the roses native to her hometown. In fashion, we speak to Ahmad and Razan Hassan, the founders of fashion label KML, which was a semi-finalist for the 2025 LVMH Prize.
Ahmad Hassan, Photographed by Lesha Lich, Styled by Ahmed Zaher Hassan
Photography by Lesha Lich, Styling by Ahmed Zaher Hassan
In music, we catch up with Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST, which has organised massive, multi-genre music festivals in the Kingdom, and DJ Nooriyah, who is carving out a space for SWANA sounds in London, and will be performing at Glastonbury Festival 2025.
Photographed by Stef Galea, Styled by Natalie Westernoff
Photographed by Stef Galea, Styled by Natalie Westernoff
Just in time to inspire your summer holiday itineraries, entrepreneurs with Saudi roots share their favourite spots in cities such as Milan and Los Angeles. Also worth incorporating into your travel plans are two events that just kicked off in Europe, and will be running throughout the summer: in Paris, we get a first look at The Mystery of Cleopatra exhibition opening this month at the Arab World Institute, and in Venice, we meet the visionaries behind the Arab pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Vogue Arabia
a day ago
- Vogue Arabia
Meet the Saudi Entrepreneur Turning Taif's Roses into Luxury Products
The damascene rose is a natural treasure bestowed by God upon the city of Taif, bringing hope and love to its inhabitants. They're beautiful in appearance, exquisite in scent, elegant in presence and their reputation precedes them. They live in the peaks and are nourished by the sky. In Taif, roses mean hospitality. They represent a combination of tenderness and toughness. There are tales of women in Taif who continued to tend to their husbands' rose farms out of loyalty after they passed away. They symbolise life renewed; when picked, a new bud appears in its place. Taif's rose industry is steeped in the city's cultural and social fabric. The first damascene rose was planted in Taif 300 years ago and the Taif rose industry has been around as long as modern-day Saudi Arabia. In December 2024, UNESCO included all practices related to the Taif rose in its list of intangible cultural heritage. With a practice so deeply rooted in Taif tradition, it was paramount to me, as Wardat's founder, that we retained its authenticity at all costs. So far we have had a beautiful journey – from increasing the number of Taif rose products on the market to offering Taif rose farm tours and experiences, and creating rose-related content. This delicate flower, which is often known as the 'shy rose', has opened so many doors for me – and not just economically. It has introduced me to the social, cultural and religious heritage of my city. The demand for our Taif roses is huge, far surpassing the city's capacity supply. At Wardat, customers often reserve our roses in December, ahead of the harvest season in April, and our client list includes sheikhs from GCC countries. Taif rose oil is considered one of the most expensive perfumes in the world – the price of 1 tola (the equivalent of 12ml) costs over SAR 2,000. For this reason, it is called 'the royal perfume' and is one of the most highly coveted natural products in the world. Photo: Fahad Al Shanbari shot near Jabal Cafe, Taif

Vogue Arabia
6 days ago
- Vogue Arabia
Rising Saudi Models Amira, Taleedah and Zahra Shine Against the Kingdom's Stunning Desert Backdrop
Located along the Red Sea, Desert Rock hotel is a real social media phenomenon, with luxury suites embedded within magnificent rock formations for an experience that feels both luxurious and otherworldly. Walking around, the topography stands as both a gateway to the past, and a portal to the future. Along the shores of the Red Sea, striking black desert sands, rich in volcanic minerals, stand as a testament to the region's unique geology. The sea itself, calm yet ever-rolling, mirrors the quiet power of the landscape. In this place where time stays still, Amira Al Zuhair, Taleedah Tamer, and Zahra Hussain rise as the faces of the future, representing Saudi Arabia on a global fashion scale. They celebrate feminine energy, with a rock-solid foundation. Whether bathed in sunlight or moonlight, this rugged landscape is a runway like no other. Amira Al Zuhair Saudi-French model Amira Al Zuhair made history as one of the first Saudi models to star in Chanel's Métiers d'Art Spring 2022 campaign, and this groundbreaking debut helped cement her place in the international fashion world. She walked exclusively for Alaïa at Paris Fashion Week in 2024 and has also graced the runways for labels like Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Missoni and more. As the kingdom's creative scene flourishes, Al Zuhair has become her country's ambassador on the international fashion stage – and at home. 'What I love most about my heritage is how deeply-rooted it is in tradition, yet constantly evolving,' she says. 'Shooting in the kingdom has been an incredibly enriching experience. The landscapes are breathtaking, and there's a special kind of pride that comes from sharing this beauty, spirit and cultural richness with the world.' Al Zuhair admires supermodels Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen, and is also deeply inspired by Malala Yousafzai, whose fearless advocacy for women's rights and access to education continues to move her. A former elected member of the UK Youth Parliament, Al Zuhair studied philosophy, politics and economics at King's College London. She is the epitome of brains and beauty, and is excited for what the future holds for her career – and her kingdom. Taleedah Tamer The scent of fresh mint instantly transports Saudi model Taleedah Tamer back to her childhood, which was spent in her hometown, Jeddah. She later moved to Milan for university, balancing schoolwork with castings. Today, her jet-setting life smells like 'airplane air, adventure, and home,' she shares. When Tamer was 17, she made history as the first Saudi model to walk in a Paris Haute Couture show, debuting in the Antonio Grimaldi fall/winter 2018/2019 presentation. Fast forward to 2024 and she made headlines yet again at Riyadh Fashion Week, walking the Hindamme runway with her cousin, pop star Mishaal Tamer. The duo appeared with arms linked, wearing matching T-shirts emblazoned with the statement: 'Saudi Arabia is the future,' designed by Saudi creative Lina Malaika in collaboration with Hindamme's founder, Mohammed Khoja. 'Every day, I feel inspired by those around me who choose to be good and to be their authentic selves,' says Tamer, who enjoys working with fellow models on her home turf. 'The best thing about shooting here is the feeling of support from the community – we're all joined in the same purpose to help develop the industry in our kingdom. It's fun and obviously challenging, but we're all working together really hard to create art.' Zahra Hussain 'Every time I walk into Saudi, I feel an immediate peace – like the country just gives you a hug,' model Zahra Hussain says fondly. She deeply appreciates the capital's hospitality, and how energetic, lively and vibrant it is. 'Moments from working in Saudi have built up to be the best experiences of my life,' shares Hussain, who has walked both seasons of Riyadh Fashion Week. She has also walked for Brunello Cucinelli, in addition to starring in campaigns for Ferragamo, Pomellato and Adidas x KAF by KAF – each highlighting a different facet of her dynamic presence. 'There's so much talent in the fashion industry in Riyadh, and they're paving such a remarkable path for Arabian fashion,' she reflects. As Hussain approaches graduation from the University of Manchester in International Business, Economics and Finance this summer, her focus extends beyond personal achievement – she hopes to to organise a charity fundraiser for girls' education in Afghanistan. Central to her journey is her mother, Riz, who co-owns a pharmaceutical business with Hussain's father. 'I'd be lucky if I even end up half the woman that she is," she says with a smile. With a growing body of work across both runway and editorial, Hussain is quickly proving her versatility and star quality, making waves in the European fashion scene while establishing herself as a standout face to watch in the MENA region and beyond.

Vogue Arabia
6 days ago
- Vogue Arabia
Cristiano & Georgina: A Timeline of Their Love Story
Skip to main content From a chance meeting in Madrid to raising a family in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have built a life shaped by love, loss, and reinvention — all under the world's gaze May 29, 2025 From a Madrid shop floor to building a life in Saudi Arabia, the romance between Georgina Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo has unfolded across cities, cultures, and continents. This is their story — in their own words. Photo: Anadolu (Getty Images) 2016 — A chance encounter in Madrid It all began in a Gucci store. Georgina Rodríguez was working as a sales assistant when she first met Cristiano Ronaldo. 'It was love at first sight,' they've both said. But for Georgina, it went even deeper: 'I remember that when we held hands for the first time, I felt inexplicable peace and energy,' she told Ronaldo in their Vogue Arabia cover conversation. 'It felt like we had known each other all our lives.' Photo: Nicolò Campo (Getty Images) 2017 — A relationship goes public, a family expands They made their first public appearance in January 2017 at The Best FIFA Football Awards, sealing speculation that they were a couple. By November, they welcomed their first child together, Alana Martina. Georgina also embraced a maternal role to Cristiano's three older children. Photo: Valeriano Di Domenico - FIFA (Getty Images) 2018–2020 — Life in Turin, foundations of fame As Ronaldo moved to Juventus in Italy, Georgina quietly built her own identity. From brand appearances to family life, she became an anchor in the footballer's world — and something more. 'Even though some people label me as 'the girlfriend of', I am very proud to be your wife,' she said. 'I have shown through my personality and my strength that I have my own light.' Photo: Europa Press Entertainment (Getty Images) Photo: Tullio M. Puglia (Getty Images) Photo: Daniele Venturelli (Getty Images) 2022 — Love, loss, and legacy In April, the couple shared the devastating news that one of their newborn twins had passed away. Their daughter Bella Esmeralda survived, and the moment marked a turning point in how the world saw them — not just as celebrities, but as humans. That same year, Georgina released her Netflix documentary I Am Georgina , opening up her world to fans: 'It gave me the opportunity to show the real 'me',' she said. 'It's been the most important and large-scale project that I've done so far.' Photo: Yasser Bakhsh (Getty Images) Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE (Getty Images) Photo: Khalid Alhaj/MB Media (Getty Images) 2023 — A new life in Saudi Arabia Following Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr FC, the couple relocated to Riyadh, ushering in a new chapter personally and professionally. 'Saudi Arabia is a country that has welcomed us with much love,' Georgina said. 'It's also a very family-oriented country, and I only have good words and gratitude.'