This week, British supermodel Kate Moss attended the Hia Hub lifestyle conference in Riyadh as part of a session titled "The Making of an Icon." The Chief Booking Officer and co-founder of the Kate Moss Agency, Lucy Baxter, offered her perspectives on getting global prominence in the modelling business during the live discussion. Moss herself did not address the audience during the event.
The discussion on becoming the next top model was moderated by Lina Malaika, a consultant working in the Saudi creative industry. Kate Moss, who became famous in the early 1990s and is now one of the world's most renowned models, has been seen in Saudi Arabia previously, notably in 2020 when she participated in a campaign for the New York-based label Mônot, shot in Saudi Arabia's AlUla. She appeared with several well-known models for this campaign, including Chinese Xiao Wen, British-Sudanese celebrity Alek Wek, South African Candice Swanepoel, Italian Mariacarla Boscono, British Jourdan Dunn, and American Amber Valletta.
Additionally, the Hia Hub event featured a Saudi 100 Brands exhibition showcasing pieces from Saudi designers inspired by Middle Eastern culture. Participating designers, such as Atelier Hekayat, Aram, Mazrood, Noura Al-Dhahri, Kaf By Kaf, and more, presented their creations.
Atelier Hekayat, founded by Alya and Abeer Oraif, showcased a design influenced by traditional patterns found in Saudi Arabia's Najd region, known as "Chalky" or "Shalki," which features floral motifs. They blended this pattern with their own design inspired by ancient Jeddah, creating a narrative that merged these two Saudi locations, Chalky de Najd and Toile de Jeddah.
Designer Arwa Al-Ammari, the founder of Aram, designed a dress inspired by the Alhambra royal gardens, celebrated for their remarkable botanical and architectural beauty.
Another exhibitor, Noura Al-Dhahri, presented the Asir garment, which was modelled after the antiquated designs of the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. It had traditional embroidery on the front and a modern twist on the back. The dress's exquisite and stunning appearance was created by the contrast between its basic white color and its sophisticated blue motifs.
