The Hajj Terminal
THE APEX OF ARCHITECTURE The Hajj terminal has become a renowned fixture in the desert landscape of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Much like the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower, the Hajj terminal with its soaring tent-roofs has become a monument that stands for the nation in which it resides. A terminal that greets millions […]
A l M o h t a r a f
There’s a tug of war happening throughout the graphic design world, and it’s little evident to those of us who are not involved in contemporary font design. In one camp, you have those graphic designers who are keen on digitizing Arabic letters and making fonts look modern; whilst in the opposing camp, there are those […]
Laura Fernandez de Nazir
Dreams do come true. And if you’re Laura Fernández de Nazir, your dreams come true. Laura has always had big aspirations for herself. And since she was a little girl, she has slowly begun achieving each of them, one by one. The story behind Design’s emerging talent, Laura Fernández de Nazir and her newfound success […]
TABOO OR NOT TABOO?
TABOO OR NOT TABOO? That is the question. If you can’t beat‘em, join‘em. What’s more cliché in Jeddah than seeing images and pictures of women in print ads, magazines, album sleeves and newspapers with the requisite shades of black, blue and red markers on their bodies? How many times have you wondered about the person […]
TECHNOLOGY AND RELIGION
[ DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND RELIGION:THE SACROSANCT TRIPARTITE ] A hologram prayer rug illustrates how the tripartite unity of art, technology and religion, can be braided together beautifully. Technological advancements such as loudspeakers broadcasting the call to prayer, CDs with pre-recorded sermons, electronic Qurans, phone applications indicating Qibla direction and prayer times are bridging the gap […]
DNA BOUTIQUE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FASHION
Deena Ali bin Talal Aljuhani and Manal AbdulAziz Al Rashed are scientists of fashion, who have concocted a unique mix of Saudi class and Western fashion to produce the ideal concept store: DNA Boutique in Riyadh. “Everything I pick is a combination of what I think is fabulous and amazing and what I Childhood friends, […]
Radiant Robes for Ramadan
Flowing exotic fabric, luxuriant designs, sensuality, heavy beading and a fusion of wild bright colors; throw a woman in the picture, and she’s instantly transformed into Ramadan mode with a thobe (Arabic for robe). With such vivid variety engulfing a Saudi woman’s sense of fashion, how does one decide and distinguish between what thobe designs […]
Noura Almoammar
Remember how your mom used to yell at you for writing on your hands? Well, for all you fellow body scribblers out there, allow me to introduce you to the artistic movement geared specifically towards us: Body Painting. Using the human body as a canvas is not an innovation. In fact, body painting is one […]
Loss of identity and the contemporary arab predicament
“We have become extinct. We have the quantity. We have the masses of people, but a people becomes extinct when it no longer has a creative capacity, and the capacity to change its world.” Adonis Arab Creative Capacity: Cultural extinction or intentional obliteration? Architecture is a social act because it affects society. Our biggest problem […]
NOA COUTURE
A friend of mine was wearing the most unique blouse—a shemagh-print, square-cut top with gold thread detail that’s reminiscent of a mishlah. I had to know where he got this top! “NOA COUTURE,” he said. And so my addiction began…Dramatic. Dreamy. Distinguished. Divine. Those are four words that describe the latest designs of Nawaf, the […]
summer alireza
On February 28th to March 1st, Summer Alireza held her exhibition “Encounters” at boutique Sabine Nada in Jeddah. Drawing inspiration from nature and Islam, while transmitting an inconspicuous yearning for yesteryear, Summer Alireza’s work reflects her profound connection and artistic acumen for the world surrounding her. “What you may know as the Last Supper,” clarifies […]
Culinary: Helen’s
Helen’s: Just Like Grandma’s Helen’s is a quaint little bakery on Kayal Street that is as inconspicuous as it is stimulating. The pet project of two friends, Ahmed Ismail and Akram Saab, Helen’s provides a brief reprieve from the now ever-popular plethora of ultra-modern coffee shops and bakeries. The bakery gets its name from its […]