Editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia, Manuel Arnaut.
Although we live more and more in a digital world, it is fantastic to observe the general excitement around who graces our front page. Readers do judge the book by its cover, and this is taken to the extreme in a month when we are releasing Vogue Arabia’s First ever September issue.It is with great pride that we can reveal the result of months of preparation: a dazzling editorial starred by model of the moment Bella Hadid, and photographed by the iconic Karl Lagerfeld.
Being someone who loves fashion, I’ve been following Karl Lagerfeld’s career over the decades, from the days when I started buying Vogue as a teenager. His unique vision, reflected in memorable designs, had made me dream and travel within my imagination, but also smile and laugh. In fact, besides his incredible work ethic, Lagerfeld’s sharp sense of humor is one of the qualities I admire the most about him.
I must confess that I was naturally honored when I had the chance to liaise with the designer and his team at Fendi for the execution of this project. And his words moved me in a way I hope they also move our readers. “Time is the pinnacle of luxury,” he stated in the interview I had the pleasure to pen, making me reflect about the pace of my own life. Paraphrasing Schopenhauer, he added, “Whenever you buy a book, you should also buy the time to read it.”
Related: Vogue Arabia’s cover stars so far
Besides decoding all the major fashion and beauty trends of the new season, this issue also tells the story of strong women, such as Maria Grazia Chiuri, Christian Dior’s first female creative director in its 70 years of history. Although I met the designer after her applauded Parisian Couture collection, I had the privilege to visit her atelier the day before Dior’s runway show. Room after room, the mood was calm and silent, with the team working diligently, ignoring my presence while fully focused on ethereal dresses. Later, wearing a Superman pendant around her neck – in her case, Superwoman! – I appreciated the kindness and realness of Chiuri. “First, I’m a wife and a mother; after, I’m a designer,” shared one of fashion’s leading ladies.
Looking at the Middle East, this September Vogue Arabia celebrates the rise of the modest fashion movement. His story was trigged by a message I received from a reader based in Switzerland, stating that, as a Muslim who wears hijab, it was after the launch of Vogue Arabia (and our June cover with Halima Aden, in particular) that she Finally felt well represented. Thankfully, an increasing number of brands – not only regional labels – are diversifying their offer, allowing Muslim women to dress in a contemporary way while being truthful to their beliefs. A good example is the recent launch of a denim hijab by American Eagle.
This exciting new moment in fashion is perfectly embodied by Leena Al Ghouti, Mthayel Al-Ali, Safiya Abdallah, Yousra Zein, and Saufeeya Goodson, the stylish Arab stars we are featuring this month. Although some of these in influencers refuse the “modest” tag, they looked immaculate in pieces handpicked by themselves. They also prove that in September – or any other month – there’s nothing more flattering than feeling confident in your own skin.
Manuel Arnaut
Editor-in-chief, Vogue Arabia
