Photo: Esra Sam
The December issue of Vogue Arabia is an ode to the glorious rhythms of the world across three covers spanning the Arab region, K-pop, and Latin beats. A powerful means of cultural expression and identity, music has often held emotional resonance spanning continents and genres. And this month’s three covers speak to this very universal language – each artist featured is a standout ambassador of their heritage, connecting audiences worldwide through their beats, rhythms, and lyrics.
The first cover explores the captivating voices and colossal impact of nine emerging artists from the Arab world. Through the decades, some of the Middle East’s greatest musicians have been women, be it Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Warda, or Sabah. Now a new wave of talent is speaking to music’s ever-evolving nature, from Saudi Arabia’s first female DJ Cosmicat to Emirati rapper Almas and Moroccan songstress Manal Benchlikha. But reshaping the regional industry and its narratives comes with its own set of issues. “Being a female Arab artist poses daily challenges because you can feel like you’re being judged,” says Benchlikha. “As a female artist, you often must put in much more effort to earn respect and recognition. And you need to navigate the unique cultural and religious contexts that shape how our community perceives women.”
Photo: Jang Dukhwa
The second cover dives into K-pop idols Enhypen’s emergence as both a cultural and economic power internationally. Large crowds, roaring fan chants, posters, and phone cameras held high – the seven-member group has entranced audiences across the world, be it at concerts or fashion shows. Footage of Enhypen arriving at Prada was Vogue Arabia’s top-performing fashion week ready-to-wear post, with 1.1 million views and nearly 73 000 likes. Meanwhile, all thanks to Enhypen, Prada – for which the band are ambassadors – ranked second among brands in earned media value for SS24 with US$41 922 484, according to Vogue Business. Three years after their debut, Enhypen reflects on the moment that changed their lives, their stratospheric rise to stardom, and their artistic and personal growth.
Photo: Ivan Erick
The third cover follows Brazilian global phenomenon Anitta as she holds on to her roots while inviting in brand-new audiences every day. With over 300 awards under her belt, the singer and actor is a once-in-a-generation talent that has people from opposite sides of the world listening to her songs. But along with cementing her success and experimenting with a range of styles, just as important to Anitta is fighting prejudices and supporting women’s enduring quest for freedom. “I think for women to succeed we have to work 20 times more, and there are a million times more expectations,” she says. “I built this personality that would not fear anything. I do not like the feeling of someone silencing me.”
The cover stars feature alongside several faces that speak to the issue’s theme. One such ensemble is Dubai’s all-female orchestra Firdaus, which has been enriching the region’s musical landscape with a more inclusive, diverse narrative – all while reimagining and reinterpreting classical compositions by legendary composers, and infusing them with a distinctive Arabian flavor. In the few short years since its inception, the orchestra has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Andrea Bocelli, Christina Aguilera, Yo-Yo Ma, and Atif Aslam. Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman serves as a mentor. In January, Firdaus Orchestra shared the stage with global superstar Beyoncé at the grand preview of the Atlantis The Royal hotel at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
The December issue further celebrates creativity in all its forms. In fashion, collaborations between superstar performers and virtuoso Arab designers have given rise to avant-garde, unabashedly glamorous designs with a sense of drama – from Jennifer Lopez to Taylor Swift and Cardi B, Beyoncé, and Shakira, the queens of the stage have found their sartorial soulmates in the region. In Oman, as designer Amal Al Raisi celebrates 17 years of her eponymous fashion house with a show in her home country, prominent women across the country speak of their love for her tradition-meets-contemporary work. A fashion shoot, meanwhile, sees Princess Diana’s nieces, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, step into bold shapes and sequins – just in time for the party season.
Also in this issue are the Arab women leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are behind the region’s artistic and cultural upsurge, directing a new creative generation. In beauty, South Korea has emerged as a Middle East beauty powerhouse, with independent brands taking their place next to better-known names and being steadily more coveted by those in the know.
