Latest news with #TheArrival
Mail & Guardian
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Gert-Johan Coetzee: The return of the self
Runaway success: Gert-Johan Coetzee's The Arrival collection at the opening of the South Africa Spring/Summer collections, which took to the runway on 24 April at in Johannesburg's Hyde Park. Three days of fashion weeking can truly wear the spirit thin. But this is not a complaint — it's more of a gentle reminder. A reminder that engaging in anything creative is consuming. It demands more than presence. It demands mind, body and soul. That is why, every year, I show up not only as a witness but as a vessel, ready to absorb, to reflect and to carry the stories that these clothes, these spaces, these moments insist on telling. Day one of the 2025 South Africa Spring/Summer collections, held on 24 April at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg did more than whisper — it roared. And who else but Gert-Johan Coetzee to deliver such a thunderous opening with a collection titled The Arrival. It was not just fashion. It was an experience. It was theatre. It was soul-searching. As I walked through the doors after registering, I was immediately struck by a sense of intimacy, of invitation. The foyer was more than a waiting area — it was an exhibition. Stands displayed prints of Coetzee's original sketches, delicate strokes of thought made tangible. If you were lucky, and I was, your fingers might have grazed not just a copy, but the original. Paper holding moments of doubt and brilliance alike. Sign of the times: Gert-Johan Coetzee and his designs at South African Fashion Week. (Eunice Driver Photography) Then came the headphones. Wireless, sleek, resting gently on stands as if waiting for the right ears to find them. I placed a pair on and was transported. Visuals played — Coetzee, pacing, questioning, doubting. 'Am I good enough?' he asked himself. And I felt my heart lean in. Imposter syndrome. The quiet echo chamber in so many of us. It doesn't discriminate. Whether you're an emerging designer, seasoned stylist or someone like me who translates fashion into feeling, these questions follow us. Seeing someone like Coetzee, with his accolades and accomplishments, admit to those fears was disarming in the most human of ways. 'Even after all the accolades, I sometimes ask myself: Do I really belong here?' Coetzee wrote in a release. 'But what I've come to learn is that heritage doesn't wait for us to be confident. It moves through us, regardless. It's already in us.' That line stayed with me. It echoed even as I mingled, sipping a cold non-alcoholic spritzer, chatting about fabrication and silhouettes with designers, stylists and a handful of influencers who still remember how to hold real conversation. And then came the show. The Arrival. Aptly named. What we saw was a return to self, a reawakening. The narrative unfolded visually — travellers returning to Earth not with answers, but with transformation. They left in search of something beyond and returned with the strength of the journey etched into the fabric of who they are. Isn't that the story of all of us who dare to dream and create? The garments were the perfect storytelling medium. A collision of worlds — of space and soil, stars and roots. You could see it in the fabric choices, in the movement of the clothing. Some silhouettes felt futuristic, sculptural, almost alien in structure. Others whispered ancestral truths. And, somehow, they all belonged together. Harmonious in their differences. Like a choir made up of many dialects, singing the same song. Colours told their own tale. Blue, yellow, red, black and white — the colours danced across garments like a coded message, deciphered only by those who've dared to feel deeply. They weren't just aesthetic choices; they were markers, signposts pointing us to ideas about identity, power, history and becoming. Africa and the cosmos stitched into one another. A dialogue, not a monologue. One of the standouts were the yellow bubble dresses — with intricate detailing, feather-looking from afar, echoing constellations. It was a reminder — we carry our stories not just on our backs but in our blood. But it wasn't just the fashion. It was how the entire show was curated. The audience wasn't just observing; we were part of it. We felt Coetzee's vulnerability, his questions, his arrival. And in doing so, many of us arrived too. Arrived at our own understanding of worth, of heritage, of creation. This wasn't just the beginning of Fashion Week. This was the beginning of something bigger. A call to return to the self, to trust that what runs in our blood — our heritage — will always show up for us, even when we doubt ourselves. And so, day one reminded me why I keep returning to these spaces year after year. It's not just about garments and trends. It's about the conversations — both spoken and unspoken. It's about witnessing someone else's journey and realising it's not so different from your own. So, yes. Fashion week is exhausting. But it's also exhilarating, revealing, and grounding all at once. And The Arrival did exactly what its title promised. It arrived. It landed. It touched down in the heart. And in doing so, it reminded us that we are already enough.
Arab News
01-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah Retreats: Culture, spirituality to power up the soul
In the sacred embrace of Madinah, one of Islam's holiest sites, a new culture-oriented wellness experience is offering a journey that integrates spirituality, culture, and heritage. The inspiration behind Madinah Retreats stems from founder Moatassem Al-Bitar's experience in the wellness and spiritual tourism industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Recognizing key gaps in traditional retreat models and leveraging Saudi Arabia's tourism vision, he envisioned a paradigm shift that blends modern wellness practices, cultural expeditions, and spiritual experiences into a single journey. With a background as a corporate culture change and people engagement manager, Al-Bitar has curated over 50 retreats across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the US, serving more than 400 participants. His academic training spans diverse fields, including organizational behavior, Islamic spirituality, and intercultural studies. Officially launched in 2024 after five years in the making, the initiative held its second retreat, under the theme 'The Arrival,' earlier this year in Madinah. • Madinah Retreats stems from founder Moatassem Al-Bitar's experience in the wellness and spiritual tourism industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond. • It blends modern wellness practices, cultural expeditions, and spiritual experiences into a single journey. Al-Bitar told Arab News: 'Every retreat we design starts with clear intentions and objectives, supplemented by a story and a theme that aligns with a particular destination.' The retreats feature a collective of facilitators who work together toward a unified intention, ensuring a balanced and immersive experience. 'One of our main goals is to promote different destinations in Saudi Arabia that are perfectly ideal for wellness-centric experiences, in addition to its unmatched culturally enriching character,' Al-Bitar said. 'We seek to partner with pertinent governmental initiatives and entities that fulfill the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for wellness tourism and exceptional experiences.' Al-Bitar explained that each retreat is meticulously structured around three core pillars: spirituality (meditative practices and inner reflection); culture (heritage site visits, traditional storytelling, and local experiences); and wellness (movement–based practices, mindfulness exercises, and healing foods). By integrating these elements into daily programs, Madinah Retreats offers a journey tailored to the needs of participants and is a 'philosophy of being rooted, real, and rich.' The retreats target individuals and groups seeking genuine transformation in their well-being, spiritual connection, and cultural enrichment. They provide a safe and accepting space where participants are respected on their unique paths to healing. Madinah, which is the spiritual capital of Islam, is popularly known as the Illuminated City. It offers an atmosphere of peace and rejuvenation, and its diverse topography and climate make it ideal for nature-based healing. 'Madinah is widely recognized as a destination where the heart feels at peace, the body feels rejuvenated, the mind feels clarity and the soul feels enriched,' said Al-Bitar. 'The city's rapid development and recognition as a top global tourism destination further enhance its appeal.' The Madinah Retreats experience is usually hosted in a traditional farm resort surrounded by nature. Participants visit cultural and historic sites, explore the city's vibrant social scene, and experience local cuisine, contemporary art, and community traditions. 'During the retreat we offer meditation, breathwork, self-reflection, yoga, tai chi, and other somatic therapies, creative expression as a healing tool, as well as locally sourced, nourishing meals,' Al-Bitar added. The somatic practices guided by expert facilitators enhance body awareness and overall well-being. Al-Bitar said: 'Connecting with nature and animals has proven therapeutic benefits. Madinah Retreats incorporates nature-based and equine therapy to help participants reconnect with their original disposition, providing an irreplaceable form of healing.' Cultural storytelling is also an essential component, allowing participants to explore the hidden wisdom of each landmark and understand local traditions and historic practices. No prior experience in meditation or wellness practices is required, making the retreats accessible to all. Honoring his Egyptian roots, Al-Bitar is expanding the retreats to Siwa, Egypt. Siwa Oasis, nestled within a breathtaking desert landscape, is characterized by vast dunes, striking limestone outcrops, and distinctive geomorphological features that enhance its appeal as a tourist destination. 'The expansion to Siwa, Egypt, was inspired by the oasis' 160-year-old tradition of reconciliation — Eid El-Solh, a celebration of harmony,' Al-Bitar said. 'Siwa's natural healing elements, such as salt lakes, hot springs, and lush landscapes, mirror many of Madinah's restorative qualities.' Al-Bitar said that Madinah Retreats will also explore the Kingdom's hidden gems by hosting retreats in Abha, Aseer, Al-Ahsa, and other locations rich in healing nature and cultural heritage. Retreat prices range from SR5,000 ($1,333) to SR10,000, depending on the location, program, facilitators, transportation, and accommodation. Madinah Retreats follows a collaborative model, partnering with local service providers, facilitators, and experts to provide an experience that remains true to the cultural essence of each destination. Al-Bitar said: 'Our content caters to people from different backgrounds, both English and Arabic speakers. Our agenda is characterized by being spacious and offers ample time for self-guided practices. Our way of delivery is strictly non-intrusive.' Participants leave Madinah Retreats feeling 'transformed, enriched, and connected to their most authentic selves.' Al-Bitar said that the experience embodied the profound wisdom: 'You presume you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire universe.' Madinah Retreats also provides a customized retreat model that caters to corporations and teams, as well as add-on visits such as expeditions in AlUla.
