5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
Editor's Letter: Celebrating Saudi Women, Creativity, and Cultural Evolution
Welcome to our annual Saudi issue, a themed edition of Vogue Arabia that pays homage to the Kingdom. If you might recall, our inaugural issue was published in June 2018, the month that women were allowed to start driving. Our cover – featuring HRH Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah Al Saud behind the wheel of a red convertible in the desert of Jeddah – was talked about globally, and it is still a favourite of mine. But so many things have changed since then… Saudi Arabia has done an incredible job in establishing its creative industries, and supporting art and fashion. While doing so, new policies and changes in mentalities have finally placed women at the centre of this cultural zeitgeist. I recently heard an impressive intervention by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, that I believe sums it up perfectly: 'The women of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we're not tokens. We're not boxes to tick. We're women who are dedicated to the development, not just of our country, but of our families, and our neighbourhoods. And if we thrive, ladies and gentlemen, I promise you the women of the world thrive, because we all deserve the path forward.'
With a country bursting with talent – and spectacular landscapes – putting together this issue was an exciting creative challenge. We started at the Red Sea, against the scenic beauty of the Desert Rock Resort, where we profiled three young Saudi models taking Arab beauty to international runways. In Taif, we met Nora Alharthi, the female entrepreneur breaking glass ceilings and establishing her business in the male-dominated world of the rose industry. In Riyadh, we caught up with fashion designer Ahmed Hassan, cofounder of KML, one of the semi-finalists for the world-renowned LVMH Prize. And, we stopped by London to photograph the latest pre-fall trends on DJ Nooriyah, whose accolades include a historical performance at Glastonbury.
Although I still remember visiting Saudi years back when the country didn't offer tourist visas, things now have changed drastically, with the Kingdom eager to welcome guests and proudly display its legacy and history. Personally, I was always greeted with a smile, as Saudis are known for their generous hospitality. Surely, this was the same level of welcome experienced by Georgina Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo, the country's news-making residents. For our cover story, we joined Rodríguez as she got ready for her first-ever Met Gala in New York City, and invited football's biggest icon to conduct the intimate interview. Between coffee and hairspray, they discuss family life and the pros and cons of being in the spotlight, and look back at two eventful years of living in the Kingdom. I hope you enjoy reading.
