Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry
Marisa Tomei on the red carpet in Jeddah. (Getty Images)
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Updated 11 December 2024

Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

JEDDAH: Academy Award-winning US actress Marisa Tomei turned heads at the Red Sea International Film Festival red carpet on Tuesday night, following a talk she gave at the Red Sea Souk earlier in the day.

“It’s been fantastic,” Tomei said of her time so far in Jeddah in an interview with Arab News. “I’m looking forward to going into the Jeddah Old Town. I’m looking forward to being at the gala. I’m very curious about this film about this opera singer. It’s a comedy,” she said, referring to Saudi filmmaker Abdulaziz Almuzaini’s latest film “Lail Nahar,” which premiered at the festival.




Marisa Tomei on the red carpet in Jeddah. (Getty Images)

She went on about being in : “It’s just beautiful. It’s just a dream. It is one of the best parts of this career and being part of this business — to be able to travel, meet new people, see totally interesting, different approaches to life.”

Tomei also took a beat to praise the Kingdom’s efforts to support the growing film industry.

“And what’s going on here in terms of the labs that they’re doing and growing these film studios, and what they’re doing for women in film is really, really, really exciting and paying dividends back. And I mean, only in four years … It’s really, really impressive and exciting, and I’m excited to see what comes, just what continues to come out of here, and it’s just being done in such an elegant, thoughtful way. I’m blown away by that,” she said.

Tomei, who was last prominently seen in the “Spider-Man” trilogy as Aunt May to Tom Holland’s titular character, said she loved working with director Jon Watts on the popular Marvel project.

“I loved being with Jon Watts. I think he’s a great director. He always was saying to us, ‘Let’s do this like an independent film.’ So even though it was this giant film, he kept it really intimate, and he was always open to ideas,” she said.

“Jon always felt, or we felt together, that (Aunt May) really raised Peter Parker and so that her influence would have really been the most massive in his life, and I think that’s also why she gave the classic Uncle Ben line in that pivotal moment. Jon just really had his hands around that. And it was really fun. And it was also fun to do some of the little bit of action scenes that I got to do. And, you know, have my hair really long,” she added.


Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh
Updated 10 September 2025

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

RIYADH: Nestled in the heart of Via Riyadh, one of the capital’s most luxurious destinations, Over Under cafe has quickly become a popular spot for those seeking a relaxed coffee experience in an elegant setting.

With its cozy interior and plenty of seating options, it caters equally well to solo visitors looking for a quiet corner and groups seeking a casual gathering place.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, enhanced by the staff’s attentiveness — special mention goes to Kristel and May, whose friendliness and professionalism leave a lasting impression on guests.

Coffee is undeniably the star of the show. Over Under’s signature latte is smooth, rich and perfectly balanced, while its “coffee of the day” option offers something new for regular customers. The cafe provides a variety of plant-based milk alternatives.

The pastries deserve their own spotlight. The chocolate croissant, with its crisp layers and deep flavor, feels straight out of Paris, while the cheesecake and brownies stand out as customer favorites — indulgent without being overwhelming.

Freshly baked croissants, cinnamon rolls and honey cakes further round out the menu, making it a sweet-lover’s paradise.

Although the menu focuses mainly on drinks and desserts, light sandwiches or savory bites would make the experience even more complete. Still, the prices remain reasonable for the quality and setting, with an average spend of about SR140–160 ($37-43) per person. 

Over Under also adds charm with little extras, such as its ice-cream cart, perfect for a sweet treat on warmer days.

The cafe blends luxury with approachability. Whether it is a quick coffee, a leisurely dessert or just a moment of calm amid the buzz of Via Riyadh, the cafe offers a memorable experience in a refined yet cozy atmosphere.
 


Riyadh Fashion Week opens doors to international brands for 2025 edition

Riyadh Fashion Week opens doors to international brands for 2025 edition
Updated 10 September 2025

Riyadh Fashion Week opens doors to international brands for 2025 edition

Riyadh Fashion Week opens doors to international brands for 2025 edition

DUBAI: Riyadh Fashion Week’s 2025 edition will, for the first time, open its calendar to international brands.

Returning for its third edition from Oct. 16-21,  the six-day showcase will feature more than 25 runway shows, 10 designer presentations, a curated showroom and citywide activations.

The list of designers is yet to be revealed.

Organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission, one of 11 cultural sector commissions under ’s Ministry of Culture, the event will also spotlight homegrown designers. 

The program will feature couture, eveningwear, womenswear, menswear and streetwear.

“Riyadh Fashion Week has become a gateway for those looking to understand and participate in the future of ’s fashion industry,” said Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, in a released statement. 
“By welcoming the world to Riyadh, we create a unique platform where international leaders can build meaningful connections with local buyers, media, and consumers.”

“At the same time, the event shines a global spotlight on Saudi talent, whose creativity spans from heritage rooted craftsmanship to contemporary design, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing influence on the international fashion landscape,” he added.


Dubai Design Week announces 2025 program highlights

Dubai Design Week announces 2025 program highlights
Updated 10 September 2025

Dubai Design Week announces 2025 program highlights

Dubai Design Week announces 2025 program highlights
  • Schedule of pop-up concepts, talks and design solutions
  • ‘Designed in Saudi’ exhibition also at Dubai Design Week

DUBAI: Dubai Design Week returns for its 11th edition from Nov. 4 to 9, with several highlights recently announced by the organizers.

Downtown Design, the anchor event of the week, will showcase innovative products and design solutions, alongside a schedule of pop-up concepts, talks and panel discussions.

This year’s showcase of furniture, lighting, materials, lifestyle objects and accessories will feature several highlights, the organizers stated in a release.

This includes BEIT Collective’s objects crafted in Lebanon, the debut of “Strata” by Pakistani designer Yousef Shabaz, the “Designed in Saudi” exhibition by the Design & Architecture Commission of ’s Ministry of Culture.

In addition, Editions will showcase limited-edition art and design from regional and international creators, spanning prints, photography, works on paper, ceramics, contemporary design, and artist multiples.

Meanwhile, Urban Commissions, the event’s design competition, this year challenged participants to explore the concept of a courtyard.

Designers and architects were invited to reimagine it as communal urban infrastructure, with UAE-based design studio Some Kind of Practice, founded by Omar Darwish and Abdulla Abbas, winning the competition for their work, “When Does a Threshold Become a Courtyard?”

Abwab, meaning doors, is a yearly program that supports designers from across west, south and east Asia, as well as the African continent, by commissioning installations.

This year, practitioners were invited to respond to the theme “In the Details,” exploring “material intelligence, precision and cultural nuance through the lens of ornamentalism,” according to Dubai Design Week.

Natasha Carella, director for Dubai Design Week, stated: “This year, our direction takes a more reflective approach, exploring design not only as a practice of innovation but also as a social connector, a civic and cultural force that shapes how we live together, communicate and build systems of care.”


Mona Tougaard fronts new fashion campaign

Mona Tougaard fronts new fashion campaign
Updated 10 September 2025

Mona Tougaard fronts new fashion campaign

Mona Tougaard fronts new fashion campaign
  • Runway star represents retailer for autumn, winter collection
  • Tougaard has been busy this year in Paris and New York shows

DUBAI: Model Mona Tougaard has added another major collaboration to her portfolio with a new campaign for H&M’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection.

The runway star, who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry, shared images from the shoot on Instagram this week.

In one look, she wore a flowing white pleated dress with voluminous sleeves and a high neckline, styled with a large brown fur stole, statement earrings and chunky ring.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In another image, Tougaard appeared in a sleeveless argyle-patterned knit top in black, grey and white, paired with dark brown leather pants and a crocodile-embossed clutch in matching tone.

Tougaard stars in the campaign alongside US model and influencer Alex Consani and South Korean model Sora Choi.

According to H&M’s Instagram caption, the collection “translates British sartorial codes, retro references and the creative vitality of 1990s London into an assertive, future-facing wardrobe finessed for this moment.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tougaard started her modeling career in 2017 after winning the Elite Model Look Denmark competition at the age of 15.

Since then, she has become a well-known figure in the fashion industry, working with top designers and luxury brands including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel and Valentino.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The model has had a busy year this year. She starred in a Versace campaign in February and was seen on video reclining on a deep orange sofa, her hair styled in a sleek, straight look with blunt bangs. 

She wore a two-piece ensemble: a lilac-toned sequined crop-top featured delicate yellow floral embroidery, thin straps and a plunging neckline, with a skirt, in rich brown satin, that had an intricate overlay of cream floral lace.

During New York Fashion Week, also in February, she graced the runway for Tory Burch’s Fall/Winter 2025 show.

In January, she was a part of the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 show at Paris Fashion Week, when she wore a halter-neck dress with a sheer, form-fitting bodice that transitioned into a voluminous skirt with meticulously folded fabric.

Last month, she posed for Marc Jacobs’ Fall 2025 campaign, showcasing the brand’s new Cristina Satchel bag.

In the photos shared on Instagram, Tougaard was seen wearing a sleek black halter-neck dress with tall black boots, accessorizing with the statement bag.


Noon By Noor to unveil new collection at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor to unveil new collection at London Fashion Week
Updated 09 September 2025

Noon By Noor to unveil new collection at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor to unveil new collection at London Fashion Week

DUBAI: Designers Shaikha Noor Al-Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al-Khalifa of Bahraini label Noon By Noor are set to present their Spring/Summer 2026 collection during London Fashion Week.

The event runs from Sept. 18-22, with the duo unveiling their new pieces on Sept. 19.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Founded in 2008, the brand is known for its blend of relaxed tailoring and refined detailing. The designers, who are cousins, both studied fashion in the US and returned to Bahrain to launch their label, which combines masculine tailoring with subtle feminine details.

Their collections often feature oversized shirts, tailored blazers, wide-leg trousers and fine knits, with the pair drawing inspiration from art, architecture and nature to produce pieces designed to be wearable, versatile and subtly expressive.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Production remains largely based in Bahrain, with the brand committed to preserving craftsmanship and creative control locally. In 2024, Noon By Noor opened a boutique at The Ritz-Carlton in Manama, further cementing its presence in the region.

The brand has also shown collections at both New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. In February, the Fall Winter 2025 collection was presented in London with a salon-style display at Somerset House.

The designs were inspired by Bahrain’s architectural landscape, specifically the work of Swiss architect Christian Kerez, whose multi-story car parks in Muharraq have become a cultural hub.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The four car parks were commissioned by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities as part of a wider preservation and development project in the city, which served as the Bahraini capital until 1932.

“We are fortunate to have been nurtured in art and architecture, both in our home and in our surroundings in Bahrain — a place rich in both, from which we can draw constant inspiration,” Shaikha Noor Al-Khalifa said at the time.

The line featured sculptured jackets, draped bodices and sliced silhouettes. As per the brand’s design ethos, embellishments were minimal, and textures and fabrics played a key role.

The designers employed a technique of stripping and fraying wool tweeds and reapplying them onto tulle to create their own lightweight fabric.