The cat is out of the bag! Vogue Arabia is taking over Jeddah’s Al Balad for a one-of-a-kind block party at the Unesco World Heritage Site. On February 8 and 9, 2024, join us at Hai Vogue, where we will turn the spotlight on Saudi’s spirited youth and creative community, framed by the unique architecture and spirit of this historical neighborhood. Buy your tickets here!
This two-day festival marks the first large-scale Vogue Arabia event taking place in the Kingdom, where international brands will also be invited to collaborate with local artists and artisans, creating a unique, never-before-seen experience. At Hai Vogue, we aim to celebrate the burgeoning talent that will shape the future of the Kingdom, all while keeping in touch with the rich Saudi heritage—a phenomenon inspired by the country’s youth that lives by it every day. And what better place to do it than Al Balad, the beating heart of Jeddah?
The ticketed event will kick off with a bang in the neighborhood, with a VIP launch where we will reveal our February 2024 cover. Visitors will also have a chance to discover emerging Saudi artists via various installations and interact with their favorite brands from around the world via localized activations. Intrinsic to any festival, food and music will also be a major part of Hai Vogue, with a curated section of food and beverage outlets serving up mouthwatering regional cuisine. As for the music, the nights of Hai Vogue will come to a fabulous close with a soon-to-be-announced lineup of artists, featuring both, renowned and up-and-coming acts from the region and beyond.
“Ever since the launch of Vogue in the region, the promotion and support of Saudi creatives and regional crafts is a priority for our publication,” says editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut. “This event brings these efforts to life, in a one-of-a-kind experience that merges fashion, culture, and entertainment with a unique Saudi flair, and in a very Vogue way.”
Al Balad. Photo: Courtesy of Visit Saudi
What you need to know about Al Balad
The venue of Vogue Arabia’s latest gathering is special for more reasons than one. For the uninitiated, Al Balad, meaning ‘the town’, is known as Jeddah’s oldest neighborhood, and for its unmistakable architecture. Vibrantly colored buildings with distinct patterns that can be traced back to the 19th century dot the neighborhood, while friendly street cats roam its lanes. Besides being used as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes since the 7th century, Al Balad was also seen as a gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea. According to Unesco, which designated Al Balad as a World Heritage Site in 2014, “these twin roles saw the city develop into a thriving multicultural center.”
Today, its history continues to be preserved through generations via restorations of its most important buildings, as well as new artwork and homegrown cafés that only add to its unique charm. The neighborhood prides itself on housing historical structures like Bait Naseef, where the founder of Saudi Arabia King Abdulaziz famously stayed for three years, while also attracting younger creatives like designers Arwa Al Banawi and Mohammed Khoja of Hindamme whose showrooms are located in Al Balad.
Vogue Arabia is taking over Jeddah’s Al Balad for a one-of-a-kind block party at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On February 8 and 9, 2024, join us at Hai Vogue, where we will turn the spotlight on Saudi’s spirited youth and creative community, framed by the unique architecture and spirit of this historical neighborhood. Buy your tickets here.
