Welcome to Hai Vogue! Here’s Your Ultimate Guide to the Festival

On February 8-9, Vogue Arabia will take over the neighborhood of Al Balad with Hai Vogue, its first large-scale event in Saudi Arabia — and it’s open to the public! As we gear up for the big festival, which brings together fashion, music, culture, food and celebrities, find out more about the brands you’ll get to see below.

Brands and Installations

A major feature at Hai Vogue will be the incredible installations set up by some of the most-followed international brands in the world, giving visitors the opportunity to connect with each label in a playful and interactive, but much deeper way. Get ready to get up close and personal with the likes of fashion labels Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Aigner, Steve Madden and Birkenstock, along with beauty favorites Dyson, House of Creed, Kiko Milano and Saudi Arabia’s very own Asteri, Jazeera Paints and Streaming giant Netflix.

Can’t wait to make your way to Hai Vogue? Once you’ve got your tickets in hand, scroll through to discover 10 cool things to know about Al Balad.

1. Architecture is a significant element in the existence of Al Balad.

All of the houses in the neighborhood have been made out of rectified stones, which were mined from the nearby Al Arbaeen Lake, and then manually shaped by hand tools. The stones were then carefully positioned as per their sizes, and separated by wooden planks sourced from the surrounding areas like Wadi Fatima or imported via sea from India. The combination of clay used to bond the stones and wooden planks partitioning the structure also helped keep the houses cool in the desert climate.

2. The hard-to-miss intricate wooden latticework seen on these planks everywhere in Al Balad is known as rawasheen or roshan for singular.

Not only did the planks serve the functional purpose of blocking the sun, but they also held great aesthetic value. While some rawasheen are horizontal, some vertical ones are as tall as four floors, however, each one is unique in its shape, pattern, and color, adding to the beauty of Al Balad.

3. Almost every side of the neighborhood has a door or a walled gateway that was closed at night to secure and protect the area from the surrounding alleys.

Bab Jadeed—the most renowned one—is located in the east, while Bab Makkah faces Souq Al Badu and looks to the Holy City, and Bab Shareef was used by the people to visit markets outside Haraj Al Asr. In 1947, the walls were taken down to allow for the neighborhood’s expansion, and many of the gateways that are seen today are restored and reinterpreted versions of the originals.

4. One of the most prominent Islamic architectural structures in Al Balad is Rebat Alkhonji.

Built by Muhammed Alkhonji in 1813 AD, the building has been a haven for more than 200 years, serving as social humanitarian housing for the elderly, unmarried women, and traveling women.

5. Al Balad is also known as the Gate to Mecca.

The early Islamic caliphates saw Al Balad serve as a point of convergence for Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca, located roughly 75 kilometers from the Holy City. Pilgrims are known to have traveled across the Indian Ocean and hail from North Africa and South and Central Asia.

6. Bait Nassif is another significant structure in Al Balad, and is regarded as one of the oldest and most famous homes in the neighborhood.

It is named after the Nassif family who once owned the home before it was undertaken by the Saudi government and converted to a museum. One of the highlights of the building, alongside its height, is that its interior staircase was wide enough for a camel to tote water and food up to the top floors.

7. Al Balad is believed to be the burial site of Eve, who is considered the mother of humanity in Islam and Christianity.

The resting place is said to be located in Al Balad’s cemetery, the oldest in the country. Local legends also suggest that the name ‘Jeddah’ is derived from this belief, as Jeddah means ‘grandmother’ in Arabic. Prince Faisal, Viceroy of Hejaz, destroyed the tomb in 1928 before it was sealed with concrete by religious authorities in 1975, to keep it from encouraging polytheism, which is strictly forbidden in Islam.

8. Al Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

In 2009, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities nominated Al Balad for UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and it was accepted in 2014. The neighborhood earned the spot due to the unique architecture of its tower houses, the dual role it played as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, and also as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

9. Al Balad is home to Jeddah’s oldest mosque.

More than 1,400 years old, Masjid Al Shafi Mosque is known as the city’s oldest mosque. The structure of the mosque remains well maintained to this day as it was rebuilt around 400 years ago, and then renovated in 2009. Among its most notable features is a huge water tank which historically collected rainwater for domestic uses, and its marble pillars, which are said to have been brought by traders from Ethiopia and date back to the early Islamic era.

10. Al Balad is maintained by a Historic Jeddah Development Project.

The neighborhood and its historical buildings are preserved by a number of initiatives, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Revitalize Historic Jeddah project. Launched in 2021 as part of the broader Historic Jeddah Development Project, the 15-year initiative aims to develop and establish Al Balad as a dynamic hub for Saudi Arabia’s art, culture, and commerce.

Amal Alharbi
Amal Alharbi is a Saudi author making waves with her compelling narratives and online influence. Alharbi’s literary explorations venture into sensitive and groundbreaking territories, driven by the profound aim of inspiring others through the eloquence of her written word. Best known as the creative force behind the book “Indeed”, Amal is currently immersed in the creation of another novel, anticipated to captivate readers in the near future.

Cosmicat

DJ, Producer and change maker, Cosmicat is part of a new wave of artists out of Saudi Arabia. Her unique blend of genres has captivated music-lovers worldwide, from an audience of 130,000 at Soundstorm, to prominent international stages including Exit Festival, Tomorrowland and Ultra Miami.
Born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Cosmicat began playing music at a time where access to records and production equipment was limited. Self-taught, she spent her days as a dental student and her nights playing underground parties. Working her way up from the local Saudi scene, Cosmicat has paved the way for other Saudi female musicians to follow in her lead and rise to the surface.

Dafencii
Dafencii is a Sudanese artist, rapper, songwriter, and composer based in Saudi Arabia. Juggling music and being a business student, Dafencii grew up listening to a wide range of music from Arabic, English, Russian to German, Indian and French. Paired with his love for rhythm and poetry, Dafencii explored rap music during his teenage years. Fast forward a few years later to “King Al7Alaba” which became Dafencii’s breakout hit, accomplishing mass vitality and over 20 million streams to date, while also asserting his presence in the rap scene.
Recently, Dafencii scored another hit with introspective lyrics describing the state of the world and his homeland. “El Maktoob” triggered another viral moment that has garnered millions of streams, scored coverage from Billboard, Scene Noise and a string of live shows in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

HIFI
Having started her career off as a DJ, Saudi producer HIFI quickly realized she couldn’t find the sound she was looking for, and wanted to dive deeper into music and start creating her own tunes and producing her unique sound. Now embarking on a journey to fulfill her childhood dreams, HIFI’s decision is driven by the belief that doing what she loves and what she’s most passionate about will never feel like work. HIFI shaped her taste by exploring music from all around the world, but her heart beats to the rhythm of House, the genre that sparked during her time in Switzerland, which remains her go-to musical signature.

Malkin
One of the first Saudi artists to produce electronic dance music, Saudi Arabia’s Malkin first caught the eye of MDLBeast Records, releasing her debut single in December 2021 to rave reviews, earning second place in best dance music on Anghami, and first on Apple Music. Fun fact: Malkin is the only Saudi DJ who works on his music on a weekly basis to create music using latest releases, ensuring a fresh experience each time he takes the stage.

Mishaal Tamer
Born and Raised in Saudi Arabia, Mishaal Tamer is among the first musicians in the country to make an impact in the global music market. As a child, Tamer honed his skills by secretly composing music and presenting it to his friends, and today, is best known for tracks like “Can’t Love Myself”, “Arabian Knights” and “Life’s A Ride”. This year Mishaal Tamer will be releasing his debut album made up of five chapters (EPs) throughout the year. The title: “Home is Changing”.

TamTam
Tamtam is a trailblazing Saudi singer and songwriter, recognized globally for her socially conscious music that blends R&B and pop influences. As one of the three female artists chosen to sing the official anthem of the Coca Cola Fifa World Cup 2022, Tamtam’s message of unity and divine femininity has resonated with fans across the globe. Her dedication to social issues is evident in her music, and she often collaborates with global producers to amplify her message. With a passion for empowering Middle Eastern women, Tamtam has become a true icon in the region’s music scene and continues to inspire the next generation of artists.

$kinny
Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabian-American musician $kinny first fell in love with music while spending summers in Los Angeles, where he discovered a range of different genres, from rock to rap. Eventually, it was 50 Cent who became one of $kinny’s biggest influencers, eventually helping the musician discover and hone his own style. $kinny’s debut mixtape released in 2014, and there’s been no looking back for him since. His album “Thank You For Nothing” remains one of his career’s biggest achievements, having reached number one on Apple Music Middle East.

Biirdperson
Saudi DJ Lujain Albishi, aka Biirdperson, shares a long history with the creative industry, having worked in cinematography before moving to music. The musician counts Cosmicat and Vinyl Mode among her favorites, and also recently opened for none other than Peggy Gou. Currently, Biirdperson is best known for being one of the kingdom’s most inspiring self-taught DJs.

DishDash
Comprised of brothers Abbas and Hassan Ghazzawi, DishDash is definitely one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful names in the realm of DJs. The duo’s techno tracks and upbeat tunes have earned DishDash a large fan following over the years, with songs like “Let Love Shine” and “Jabal Dukhan” becoming instant hits. Over the years, the Ghazzawi brothers have also shared stages with the likes of David Guetta and Dubfire.

Hatoon Idrees
Oud player, DJ and producer Hatoon Idrees counts herself among Saudi Arabia’s most interesting female musicians, and has made a niche for herself with her unique sound. Idrees’ work is instantly recognizable thanks to her incredible skills with the electric Oud guitar. In the past, Idrees has also shared the stage with world-renowned DJ Afrojack.