Latest news with #AmandaSmith
Leaders
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Saudi Fashion Awards Return on May 22: Elevating Kingdom's Global Style
The Saudi Fashion Awards 2025 are poised to celebrate Riyadh's rise as a fashion capital, honoring designers, models, and creatives. This prestigious event, organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission, will unveil its second edition on 22 May, 2025, transforming the Kingdom's vibrant heart into a global stage for the industry's brightest stars. Under the Fashion Commission's leadership, established in 2020 to nurture homegrown talent, the event champions innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship while honoring Saudi Arabia's rich heritage. In partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Commission is crafting a dynamic ecosystem where tradition meets avant-garde ambition. Following its dazzling debut in 2024, this year's Awards promise to be bigger, bolder, and more boundary-pushing than ever. The event will spotlight trailblazers redefining Saudi Arabia's influence on the international fashion and beauty landscape. With an expanded focus on beauty and fresh categories that mirror the industry's rapid evolution, the event is a testament to the Kingdom's unstoppable rise as a creative powerhouse. Expanded Categories and Notable Judges This year's awards feature a diverse range of categories, including Fashion Stylist of the Year, Fashion Photographer of the Year, and accolades for menswear, womenswear, and jewelry. Additionally, the event will present the Elite Model Honorary Award, recognizing outstanding talent in modeling. The judging panel includes prominent figures such as Law Roach, the Hollywood stylist known for red carpet transformations, and Amanda Smith, CEO of Fairchild Media Group. Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, emphasized the significance of this event. He stated, 'Riyadh is proudly emerging as the capital of fashion, beauty, and the future of the creative industries in the region.' This year's edition introduces new categories that reflect the sector's remarkable growth, including international awards sponsored by Women's Wear Daily (WWD). Riyadh: A Hub for Creative Industries With each edition, the Saudi Fashion Awards sharpen Riyadh's profile as more than just a host city. The city is transforming into a staging ground for a wider regional creative economy, firmly set on the international stage. The awards not only spotlight local talent but also enhance the Kingdom's global standing in fashion and beauty. The event follows the success of last year's inaugural edition, which showcased the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit. As Saudi Arabia strengthens its global presence in these industries, the awards aim to celebrate visionary talent and highlight the Kingdom's rising role on the international style stage. A Platform for Future Growth The Saudi Fashion Awards reflect the Kingdom's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship in the fashion sector. By supporting homegrown talent, the awards contribute to the broader vision of enhancing Saudi Arabia's presence in the global creative economy. The event serves as a beacon of creative ambition, uniting style, culture, and innovation under Vision 2030. As the awards approach, anticipation builds for a night that promises to be bigger, bolder, and more boundary-pushing than ever. The Saudi Fashion Awards will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of fashion in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Short link : Post Views: 8
CNET
20-05-2025
- CNET
Test Out Hairstyles and Avoid Regret With This AI Tool
I'm a sucker for those '90s rom-com makeover movies, and whenever I'm getting my own hair done, I always envision that "big reveal" scene. But when I'm going to spend $400 plus tip to get a color and cut (a luxury experience in this economy), I want to be sure I'll love it. So I tried out Facetune, an artificial intelligence app that promises a collection of hair change images in seconds, to "try on" a few cuts and colors. At the very least, I'd have better photos to show my hairdresser during the consultation. Facetune is a product by AI company Lightricks, which was founded in 2013. You can use Facetune to change hairstyles, makeup, outfits, skin tone and facial hair, and as a "personal fashion stylist." There's a free and paid version of Facetune, including a seven-day free trial with access to all the premium features. So, Facetune, can I pull off bangs? Setting up Facetune's AI features I downloaded the Facetune app, accepted the terms and conditions. The Facetune interface is easy to navigate. I like its sense of humor, with options such as asking Facetune's AI assistant to "roast my style." I followed the prompts: 1. I toggled "I edit for personal use" but there are other options for influencers and businesses. 2. I set my photo and video editing experience to basic. 3. I selected my goal of "color hair" (ignoring the options to smooth skin, whiten teeth and clear blemishes). 4. I activated my free trial. (I also put a reminder in my phone to cancel before the due date, because it charges the $60 annual fee at once, not monthly.) 5. I had to give Facetune access to my photo library, then I selected the first photo to test run. No selfies needed! Like my AI headshots and baby face generator, the photo quality is critical. Pick a few photos where you're looking at the camera, hair down, without sunglasses on. Follow my golden AI rule: The better the input, the better the output. There are 36 color tones to choose from, but I decided to test only the ones I liked: blonde, brunette and pink (because I've been wanting to try that). I always feel better and more myself when I'm blonder. Maybe it's my skin tone or the fact that I'm from Australia, so my hair always had natural highlights. Now that I live in New York, and the seasons are distinct, I'm more inclined to explore color palettes. I wanted to see if Facetune could get close to my current color preference, which is a dark blonde. Here's the original photo: The "before" photo. Amanda Smith/CNET And Facetune's versions (gold tips and brown): Created by Amanda Smith using Facetune AI I liked both colors. They were natural looking, which is what I always aim for in my hair coloring. A second attempt with the AI hairstylist For the last picture, I wanted to test out its haircut capabilities. This time, I kept the color but went straight to the "hairstyles" option. Here's the original photo, and the various styles and cuts to choose from. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET Facetune's "hair stylist" turned me into a '60s housewife, and I'm not mad about it. But this is when things started getting weird with my hand. Created by Amanda Smith using Facetune AI I noticed there was a text prompt feature under "Custom," so I asked the AI to make my hair like a 1960s hippie. Things got a tad weird -- both with my hair and whatever the AI tool did to my poor hand. Created by Amanda Smith using Facetune AI I still hadn't figured out if I could rock bangs, so that was my last prompt. Created by Amanda Smith using Facetune AI While I didn't hate it, I wasn't 100% convinced I could pull it off. Maybe I need to use different photos. Just when I was starting to feel game to try out a swept fringe look, this happened. It just wouldn't be AI without one super weird photo. My hand and chin are doing something even funkier than in the '60s hippie attempt. But I got to the end without a major glitch, so I was happy about that. Created by Amanda Smith using Facetune AI AI as a hairstylist: the verdict Facetune was a lot of fun to play with. I don't know if the color labels in the app are true to the hairdresser tones, but it does give the stylist a good starting point. Even if I don't feel comfortable divulging to my stylist that I used AI, it gives me a good sense of how I'd look, so I can search for similar pictures to present. I'll likely do the latter, unless my hairdresser best friend from home is doing my color, so we can have a good giggle about AI first. The Facetune app is super easy to set up and use, and it generates images in seconds -- with various complementary features that can boost your beauty confidence. You can do the same for makeup looks and clothing styles, but I wouldn't want to change my eye or skin color. That's just weird! Can Facetune save me money and embarrassment on the wrong hairdo? I bet. Do blondes have more fun? On Facetune, they sure do.
CairoScene
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Second Edition of the Saudi Fashion Awards Set for May 22
The Saudi Fashion Commission will honour the creatives contributing to Saudi Arabia's emerging presence on the global fashion stage. May 20, 2025 The Saudi Fashion Awards return to Riyadh on May 22nd for their second edition, hosted by the Saudi Fashion Commission. The event celebrates the growing influence of Saudi creatives across fashion and beauty - industries in which the Kingdom is steadily carving out global space. This year's categories range from Fashion Stylist and Photographer of the Year to accolades for menswear, womenswear, jewellery, and the Elite Model Honorary Award. On the judging panel: Law Roach, the Hollywood stylist known for red carpet reinventions; Amanda Smith, CEO of Fairchild Media Group; Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission; Xavier Romatet of Institut Français de la Mode; Chalhoub Group's Mohammed Aldabbagh; and Mai Badr, Editor-in-Chief of Hia Magazine. With each edition, the awards sharpen Riyadh's profile as more than just a host city - it's a staging ground for a wider regional creative economy with its sights set firmly on the international stage.
CairoScene
13-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
WWD & Fashion Futures to Host Global Fashion & Beauty Summit in Riyadh
WWD & Fashion Futures to Host Global Fashion & Beauty Summit in Riyadh Women's Wear Daily (WWD) and the Saudi Fashion Commission have announced the Global Fashion and Beauty Summit, scheduled to take place on May 21–22 at Bab Samhan in Riyadh. The summit, held under the theme 'Age of Agility: Identifying Opportunity,' will convene global leaders, innovators, and creatives to explore the rapidly evolving fashion, beauty, and wellness sectors. 'Partnering once again with Women's Wear Daily allows us to further amplify the creative dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the global industry,' shared Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Fashion Commission. 'This year's focus on fashion and beauty speaks directly to the evolving nature of personal expression and cultural relevance.' Presented in collaboration with Fashion Futures, Saudi Arabia's flagship fashion intelligence platform, the summit aims to foster cross-border collaboration and dialogue between global and regional players in the industry. "Saudi Arabia is one of the most compelling markets in the world today,' shared Amanda Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Fairchild Media Group. 'And we have brought together an impressive lineup of designers, executives and creatives to provide their views on the path forward amid these turbulent times and to witness and discuss the groundbreaking developments taking place in the industry in this key region." The 2025 summit is set to feature a curated roster of speakers including brand founders, beauty innovators, wellness experts, retail executives, and market analysts. From demographic shifts affecting beauty consumption, the rise of experiential wellness, and localisation of global brands, to the entrepreneurial breakthroughs redefining the industry, the panels and discussions will address the most pressing and promising topics within the sector today. "The speakers we brought together for last year's Global Fashion Summit in Riyadh were incredibly impressed with the industry's developments and growth in Saudi Arabia,' said James Fallon, Chief Content Officer of Fairchild Media Group. 'And we look forward to having them see how much it has progressed in the last year.'
NBC News
09-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Is fresh dog food better than kibble? We asked vets
Pet owners want the very best for their dogs, especially when it comes to their diet. Fresh dog food, which typically needs to be frozen or refrigerated, can be a great alternative to standard kibble and canned wet foods, according to the vets I spoke to. But is fresh dog food actually better for your dog? The answer depends on a few different factors, including your dog's lifestyle, any allergies or preferences they have and your budget. I spoke to veterinarians to better understand the claims and promises surrounding fresh dog food and whether it's worth switching your dog's diet. I also gathered their recommendations for fresh dog food brands to consider, as well as options that NBC Select staffers feed their own dogs. How I picked the best fresh dog food When shopping for the best fresh dog food, experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors: Meets AAFCO standards: The most important thing to look for when shopping for pet food in general is whether it's approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which means an independent lab has tested the food to guarantee safety. 'If the food is not AAFCO approved, this can mean that testing was only done internally, and no regulating body performed a secondary confirmatory test,' says Dr. Miriam Fink, Medical Director at Bond Vet. Your dog's specific needs: As with every type of dog food, it's important to understand your dog's specific nutritional needs before buying. Consider their age, breed, activity level, allergies and any health conditions they may have. Always look at the brand's packaging and/or website for a guide that indicates how much food your pet needs daily based on their weight and age. You can also check out Balance It, which is run by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and gives detailed information about your dog's diet. Storage: Fresh dog food is usually refrigerated or frozen, which means you'll need to make sure you have enough space to properly store it. Most brands will state exactly how to store and thaw frozen food and how long it'll last in your fridge or freezer. Price: Expect fresh dog food to be more expensive than typical store-bought kibble or canned food. Most fresh dog food brands are delivery services, which means cost will be higher due to convenience. Best fresh dog food of 2025 Best overall: Ollie Ollie's fresh food is made alongside veterinary nutritionists who help create balanced, human-grade recipes that meet AAFCO standards (more on human-grade dog food below). Plus, it delivers meals right to your door on a regular schedule. NBC Select senior manager of commerce analytics Amanda Smith feeds Ollie to her picky, 3-year-old rat terrier Mac and says it's been a 'game changer' for his diet. 'He's never been very food motivated and suddenly he's begging for meal time,' she says. Smith says the process from start to finish took only a few minutes. First, you'll need to take a short quiz about your dog's current weight, ideal weight, spay/neuter status and activity level. You can choose between three plans: full fresh (pouches that include real meat, fruits, veggies and grains), mixed (half portion of Ollie's fresh food and half of Ollie's dry food) and half fresh (half portion of Ollie's fresh food to mix with your dog's typical food). Here's a cost breakdown for each plan: Full fresh: $22 per week (small dogs), $55 per week (medium dogs), $69 per week (large dogs) Mixed bowl: $19 per week (small dogs), $45 per week (medium dogs), $59 per week (large dogs) Half fresh: $15 per week (small dogs), $38 per week (medium dogs), $41 per week (large dogs) You can choose from up to five fresh recipes, including pork, chicken, beef, lamb and turkey. Store your fresh food in the freezer and defrost it in the fridge at least 24 hours before your pup's mealtime, according to the brand. If your dog isn't ready to start an all-fresh meal, Ollie also has kibble options that you can add to your meal plan and mix with the fresh food. Ollie also has treats and supplements to add to your shipment. Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a veterinarian and the clinical director at Dutch, a pet telehealth company, recommends JustFoodForDogs due to its high-protein food with a lower calorie count, which makes it great for older or less active dogs. It has more than a dozen recipes, all of which have one source of protein for a limited ingredients diet, including turkey, venison and lamb. You can choose between four main categories: Fresh Frozen, JustFresh (comes in resealable packaging), PantryFresh (shelf stable) and DIY Homemade (includes a recipe, but you'll need to supply the ingredients). My 7-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, is obsessed with the brand's JustFresh recipes. I mix a spoonful with her regular kibble once a day and I can tell she likes it much more than her canned wet food — she's always begging for food once meal time comes around. Each JustFresh meal comes in a handy resealable pouch and one package lasts me about a week at the rate I'm feeding her. I've also recently started incorporating the Fresh Frozen meals to Bella's diet (I alternate them with the JustFresh meals). I love that the Fresh Frozen options come in a ton of flavors to give Bella a good amount of variety, and it lasts up to 18 months in the freezer, so I'm always stocked up. When thawed, the meals stay fresh in the original package for up to seven days (five days after opening the packaging). You can purchase pouches individually or choose to autoship your dog's food, which will ship to your home at the frequency you choose (anywhere between one- and 12-week intervals, and your order ships within three to five business days). This subscription-based service delivers fresh dog food to your door. Before you place an order, you'll fill out a questionnaire that helps the brand determine a meal plan that best fits your dog's nutritional needs. Each meal then comes pre-portioned for your dog's needs based on their age, weight, breed, activity level and build. You can store The Farmer's Dog pouches in your fridge or freezer, and each one lasts up to four days in the fridge after you thaw it, according to the brand. It's a favorite of former NBC Select social editor Sadhana Daruvuri, who feeds this service to her 3-year-old maltese and poodle mix, Bandit. 'I knew friends who tried it and their dogs were all big fans, so I did a trial with Bandit and it was obvious he liked it way more than his kibble,' she says. (Bandit typically eats the turkey, beef and chicken meals.) Plan pricing varies based on your dog's weight, breed, activity level and more. Nom Nom creates a fresh meal plan based on your dog's health and nutritional goals, including weight management, stomach issues and skin sensitivities. You'll fill out a questionnaire about your dog's breed, weight, age and diet-related issues (including whether they're a picky eater or have food allergies), and Nom Nom will recommend the recipe that best fits their needs. All meals are pre-portioned for each dog's unique caloric needs and you can select up to four recipes for each shipment. If you're on the fence about which recipes to get, you can purchase a sampler pack of four recipes (beef, chicken, turkey and pork). All meals come frozen, and you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months, according to the brand. Petplate will create a custom meal plan for your pet based on a short quiz. Each meal is also perfectly portioned for your pup to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients. Best of all, you can mix-and-match recipes in your dog's meal plan, so you aren't limited to only certain recipes (pricing will change based on which protein you choose; for example, venison and lamb are slightly more expensive). The brand has four main plans: FreshBaked (shelf-stable with a crunch), FreshCombo (a mix of baked and cooked textures), FreshCooked (signature cooked plan) and Toppers (signature plan offered in smaller portions). There are two FreshBaked recipes to choose from (beef and chicken), and six FreshCooked recipes, including turkey, venison, lamb and pork. Best with whole ingredients: Spot & Tango Spot & Tango's fresh recipes are cooked in small batches and delivered in pouches. Fresh recipes include turkey and quinoa, beef and brown rice, and lamb and sweet potato. You'll first need to complete an initial questionnaire that asks about your dog's weight, age, breed, activity level and any health issues, which the brand uses to determine your pup's ideal meal plan and caloric intake. Spot & Tango also has its own version of kibble, called Unkibble, that's made up of a dehydrated meat, starch, fruit and veggies and doesn't have any preservatives, fillers or additives, according to the brand. You can add snacks, including turkey strips and cheese bites, to your delivery for an additional fee, too. Frequently asked questions What is fresh dog food? Fresh dog food usually refers to minimally processed meals made with whole, natural ingredients like meats, vegetables and grains, often cooked gently to retain nutrients, says Gonzalez. Most fresh dog food is labeled as 'human-grade,' meaning the ingredients and preparation methods meet FDA standards for human consumption. 'It often indicates higher quality ingredients, stricter safety standards and better overall nutrition compared to conventional pet food,' says Gonzalez. The biggest difference between fresh dog food and regular kibble is that fresh food is usually refrigerated or frozen, which helps it last longer and can help preserve the nutrients in the food without needing artificial preservatives, says Gonzalez. Make sure you are properly thawing and storing frozen food to maintain its safety and nutritional integrity; most brands will indicate how to properly store and thaw frozen food and how long it'll last in your fridge or freezer. Is fresh dog food better than kibble? Fresh food is commonly associated with 'high quality' and 'good ingredients,' but it's typically just refrigerated food. 'Refrigerated food can be a great option for some pets, and the most important thing is feeding something your pet likes and is safe for them,' says Fink. I do not think it is 'better' than regular kibble or wet food because the main deciding factors are whether they are safe for their pet.' However, it all depends on your dog. Fresh food can be tastier for your pet, which helps switch up their diet if they're a picky eater. Plus, fresh food may have fewer preservatives compared to kibble or canned food, which benefits those with sensitive stomachs or allergies. What is the difference between fresh food and raw food? The difference is pretty self explanatory: Fresh dog food is cooked, while raw food is uncooked. However, all of the vets we've spoken to do not recommend raw food, so even if it's frozen and labeled 'fresh,' you should not feed your pet raw food. 'Just like raw food can make us sick with bacteria, viruses and parasites, it can make pets sick, too,' says Fink. Also, even if these organisms pass through your dog without causing them harm, there is still a risk to any young children who put their hands in their mouth — they could become sick from salmonella and other bacteria, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a board-certified veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile veterinary service. How can you safely switch your dog's diet? Switching your dog to a new diet takes time and patience; otherwise, you might risk them getting bored with their new food quickly or upsetting their stomach. When adjusting your dog to new foods, the veterinarians I spoke to recommend the following tips: Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Dr. Miriam Fink is the medical director at Bond Vet. Dr. Abel Gonzalez is a veterinarian and the clinical director at Dutch, a pet telehealth company. Dr. Nicole Savageau is a board-certified veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile veterinary service. Why trust NBC Select? I am an updates editor at NBC Select who has written about pets and dog food for over five years. For this article, I spoke to board-certified veterinarians about how to shop for fresh dog food and researched dozens of options on the market to recommend the best ones to shop.
