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The Millennial Sister Act: Meet The Abduls

the-abduls

Sakhaa wears tuxedo jacket with Swarovski crystals, US $1,730; AED/SAR 6,354. Cropped trousers, US $539, AED/SAR 1,979. Both Racil at Matches. Teeshirt, US $20; AED/SAR 73, Gap. Black suede pumps, US $520; AED/SAR 1,911, Darmaki. Pendant with diamonds, US $4,750, AED/SAR 17,446, Kamushki at The Shop at Bluebird.
Thana wears tuxedo jacket with Swarovski crystals, US $1,730; AED/SAR 6,354. Cropped trousers, US $539, AED/SAR 1,979. Both Racil at Matches. Sneakers, US $986; AED/SAR 3,621, Dior. Choker, US $8,598; AED/SAR 31,579, Kamushki at Moda Operandi.

Citizens of their very own high-speed world, Thana and Sakhaa Abdul have taken on the blogosphere, and they’re winning. With an Instagram following just shy of 48 thousand, and counting, and a business on the rise, this duo is one to name check. Vogue Arabia takes to the cobbled streets of London with the Saudi sister act behind the fashion blog, The Abduls, to uncover what makes the next generation of Arab women tick.

Twelve years ago, the Abdul family migrated from Medina to the UK capital, with their younger brothers and sisters merrily in tow. Now “home” has two front doors on very different continents. What do they miss the most about living in Saudi? “The food!” they chime in unison.

A typical day for the girls starts off with university classes. Sakhaa aspires to become a lawyer and Thana is majoring in fashion marketing. After class, they devote time to blogging and their latest online venture, Coded Nation—a multi-brand e-commerce boutique where the sisters spotlight emerging designers and up-and-coming brands. “It’s for the daredevils and rebels of the world. It’s not something for everyone, it’s everything for someone,” describes Thana who conceived the idea after she took a gap year from university. I’ve always wanted to do something under the name “Coded Nation,” which is inspired by countries being mapped by dialing codes. At the time, I didn’t exactly know if I wanted it to be a brand or a concept store, I just loved the name,” she said.

Following her year out, Thana returned to school where she was assigned to propose a new business idea for one of her classes. “I thought, ‘Why not present Coded Nation as an online store where it supports emerging designers from all around the world?’” At the time, her teacher wasn’t keen on the project, and she ended up getting the lowest passing grade in her class.

Driven to succeed, Thana shared her idea with Sakhaa, and they both decided to test out launching the boutique with a small collection of logo-printed t-shirts. “We sold out in less than 12-hours,” recalls Thana. “We then received requests from customers asking for custom designs with Coded Nation’s logo on it. Then, we started creating capsule collections and themes in collaboration with startup young designers, to really get to know what our clients liked,” she explains.

As for their individual sartorial choices, Thana and Sakhaa take a contemporary approach. “I personally love Reem Al Kanhal; she’s my favorite Saudi designer. I also like Razan Alazzouni and everybody knows I’m obsessed with Balenciaga,” shares Sakhaa. Meanwhile, Thana is drawn to Japanese labels such as Sacai. “I love the designs,” she says, before listing Arwa Al Banawi, Reem Al Kanhal, and Reemami as her favorite regional labels. Both admire Dubai-based fine jewelry brand Kamushki.

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Sakhaa wears jumpsuit, US $675; AED/SAR 2,479, Reem Al Kanhal. Teeshirt, US $39,95; AED/SAR 147, Gap. Hat, US $1,974; AED/SAR 7,251, Stephen Jones Millinery. Sneakers, US $545; AED/SAR 2,550, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane.

The power pair take the Vogue Arabia Q&A test to see who gets a First Class in sibling knowledge:

SAKHAA ON THANA

How would you describe your sister’s style?
I want to say that it’s classy and modern. Thana is very conservative with the way she dresses and she likes to cover up.

What can’t she live without?
Her black bomber jacket, a good pair of jeans, and she has an obsession with white tops.

What’s her favorite accessory?
She’s not really big on accessories, but she can’t leave the house without her stud earrings or she’ll feel unbalanced.

How would you describe your sister’s beauty routine?
She can’t live without mascara. I don’t think she wears concealer, but she puts on a tinted moisturizer for university. When we go out, she’ll add blush or a bronzer.

Who takes the longest to get ready in the morning?
Thana. Every day.

Why does she take so long?
She always changes her outfits. She could change up to six times before leaving the house because she hates how unpredictable the weather is [in London].

What kind of music does she listen to?
She’s very into Arabic music. I want to say Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Abadi Al-Johar, and Nawal El Kuwaitia.

Who takes the longest to pack?
Not me, for sure. I have hardly anything in my suitcase. I pack light so that I have an excuse to buy new stuff.

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Thana wears silk blazer, US $885; AED/SAR 3,250, Arwa Al Banawi. Crew teeshirt, US $20; AED/SAR 73, Gap. Trousers, US $539, AED/SAR 1,979, Racil at Matches. Boots, US $499; AED/SAR 1,833, Anine Bing. Sunglasses, US $595; AED/SAR 2,185, Cutler and Gross. Velvet choker with sapphire, US $3,600; AED/SAR 13,503, Kamushki at The Shop at Bluebird. Necklace, US $1,480; AED/SAR 5,436, Kamushki at Browns
Sakhaa wears jumpsuit, US $675; AED/SAR 2,479, Reem Al Kanhal. Teeshirt, US $39,95; AED/SAR 147, Gap. Hat, US $1,974; AED/SAR 7,251, Stephen Jones Millinery. Shoes, US $1,100; AED/SAR 3,235, Stella Mc Cartney.

THANA ON SAKHAA

How would you describe your sister’s style?
She’s really rebellious when it comes to style, but I love how she pulls it off with confidence.

What can’t she live without?
She’s always in her Balenciaga boots. Those, I’ve never worn, and we usually share so many things. Whether it’s a t-shirt, jeans, or a bag—if it’s Balenciaga, I can’t go near it.

What about accessories?
Bracelets. She wears a lot of Monica Vinader and Balenciaga as well.

How would you describe your sister’s beauty routine?
Sakhaa is very creative when it comes to makeup. She doesn’t admit it, but I know she is. She taught me how to use banana powder. She likes to wear black contact lenses to make her eyes look bigger. When it comes to products, she usually wears mascara, BB cream, and little bit of highlighter.

Who takes the longest in the morning?
Definitely me. I’m very indecisive. I’ll wear something, leave the house, and as soon as I reach the elevator, I’ll turn around and go back in and change because I change my mind with the weather. I can’t depend on my weather apps.

What’s your sister’s signature scent?
She likes Miss Dior. My mom bought it for her when she turned 12 and she still wears it a lot.

What kind of music does she listen to?
She always makes me listen to Daughter and Lana del Rey. I don’t get those music vibes. She also loves J. Cole, and she’s into rap and hip hop.

Who takes the longest to pack?
Me. I hate when I arrive somewhere and realize that I’ve forgotten something. Sakhaa is a very light packer, and when we get to the destination, she always asks if she can borrow something from me.

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Thana wears silk blazer, US $885; AED/SAR 3,250, Arwa Al Banawi. Crew teeshirt, US $20; AED/SAR 73, Gap. Sunglasses, US $595; AED/SAR 2,185, Cutler and Gross. Velvet choker with sapphire, US $3,600; AED/SAR 13,503, Kamushki at The Shop at Bluebird. Necklace, US $1,480; AED/SAR 5,436, Kamushki at Browns.

Photography: Billal Taright
Assistant: Michael Furlonger
Fashion Director: Daniela Agnelli
Stylist Assistant: Laetitia Mannessier
Makeup and Hair: Amy Wright

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