Candice Swanepoel in Yousef Akbar. Bracelet, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
There’s a new color spreading across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is rolling out the lavender carpet, ones “identical to the color of the Kingdom’s deserts and plateaus in the spring,” the Saudi Press Agency declared in 2021 when it introduced the official hue for ceremonial celebrations. The gentle shade was chosen because of its association with blossoming wildflowers that carpet the country’s desert landscapes in the spring, and is a symbol of Saudi generosity, the Ministry of Culture’s website stated.
Taleedah Tamer wears April By Noura AlSaif. Earring, April By Noura Alsaif; bracelets, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
The earliest-known red carpet in the world of cinema was unfurled at the Hollywood premiere of the 1922 film Robin Hood at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles. A 100 years later, during the global pandemic, Saudi Arabia has dared to draw new blueprints for the country, and created a whole palette to go with it. The Kingdom is distinguishing itself by favoring a different approach to making a grand entrance by highlighting the delicate flowers found in Asir. Now, the country, known for its green-and-white flag, is going full steam ahead with the hue. The initiative, a partnership between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Royal Protocol, aims to reflect the transformation of the Kingdom, driven by Vision 2030 and its look to the future with lavender tinted glasses. For this month’s cover story, 10 supermodels – Candice Swanepoel, Amira Al Zuhair, Coco Rocha, Taleedah Tamer, Isabeli Fontana, Sara Sampaio, Sasha Luss, Toni Garrn, Sophie Alshehry, and Donna Bahdon – embrace the richness of this color as seen through custom-made garments designed by 10 Saudi designers for Vogue Arabia. Brands embracing the purple shade are Honayda, Yousef Akbar, Raghad Alblaihed, Atelier Hekayat, April by Noura Alsaif, ArAm by Arwa Alammari, Mashael Al Faris, and Kaf by Kaf, Loodyana, and Lurline.
Isabeli Fontana in Loodyana. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Red and purple have long been colors associated with royalty and luxury. Dyes for those vibrant hues were the most expensive, and thus signaled prestige. The natural red dye carmine is still made by crushing the dried bodies of small female scale insects native to tropical and subtropical South and North America. These little parasites were also used by the Aztec and Maya people in the 15th century to naturally dye fabrics. In the age of live-streamed award shows and influencers churning out social media content, the eye-popping red carpet has morphed into being somewhat of a main event in its own right. It is universally understood that those walking down a colored carpet are celebrities or fashionistas of a certain esteem, usually dressed to the nines and showcasing innovative design that translates to the upcoming trends of the season.
Sophie AlShehry in Lurline. Earring, necklace, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Saudi designers are also taking note, as seen across these vibrant pages. “Along with our culture, lavender represents a very happy color. Generosity, beauty, welcoming – it was all represented,” designer Kholoud Al Hakbani of Loodyana says on the ensemble she envisioned. Cofounder Abeer Al Hakbani emphasized that they were dedicated to trying to merge national pride, sustainability, and the Saudi essence into their new creations. Their designs capture a fine line between the past and the present. Saudi sisters Siham and Sarah Albinali of Lurline share, “Something that really struck us about Saudi nature and how we implemented the color was actually how the lavender fields looked at night. We were drawn to the mystery of that since Lurline is a soft, goth brand,” offers Siham. “We decided to convert that into creating beautiful dark lavender and purple paillette pieces that almost glitter. They are supposed to signify the reflection of the moonlight and the stars on our dresses, as well. It gave a glamorous red carpet feel with inspiration from the lavender fields.” Sarah adds, “The color itself is so beautiful, and for it to be chosen is something unique and exclusive to Saudi Arabia. It says, ‘Hey, we recognize our culture, and we’re proud of what we have.’ And we’re using it and showing it off, and telling people who we really are in our story of Saudi Arabia, in an original, unique way.”
Toni Garrn in Kaf By Kaf. Shoes, Carolina Herrera. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Amira Al Zuhair in Raghad AlBlaihed. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Sara Sampaio in Mashael Al Faris. Necklace, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Sasha Luss in Honayda. Shoes, Carolina Herrera. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Coco Rocha in Atelier Hekayat. Shoes, Carolina Herrera. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Amira Al Zuhair in Raghad AlBlaihed. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Candice Swanepoel in Yousef Akbar. Bracelet, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Sara Sampaio in Mashael Al Faris. Necklace, Cartier. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Coco Rocha in Atelier Hekayat. Shoes, Carolina Herrera. Photo: Domen & Van De Velde
Originally published in the June 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia
Style: Nicola Formichetti
Fashion director: Amine Jreissati
Fashion market editor: Mohammad Hazem Rezq
Makeup: Liselotte Van Saarloos
Hair: Joeri Rouffa
Producer: Sam Allison
Local production: Photobomb Production
Local producer: Johnny Pascucci
Project manager: David Newman
Production coordinator: Nick Lambrakis, Lawrence Casseus
Production assistant: Armando Guerrero
Photography assistants: Laura Berrou & John Ruiz
Makeup assistant: Maddie Chamberland
Hair assistant: Joffrey Conings & Jelle Bogaerts
Special thanks: Moxy NYC Lower East Side
