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DUBAI: US Iraqi beauty mogul Huda Kattan this week showed her support for Nadeen Ayoub, the first Miss Palestine, who will compete in the 74th Miss Universe pageant taking place in November in Pak Kret, Thailand.

Kattan took to Instagram to share a photo with Ayoub, writing: “We’re so proud to support the first-EVER Miss Palestine @nadeen.m.ayoub to compete in Miss Universe. This moment is so much bigger than pageantry. It’s about strength, pride and representation.”

Kattan has been outspoken in her support for Palestine and has used her platforms to raise awareness about the war in Gaza.

She regularly shares footage and updates from Gaza on her social media accounts to amplify awareness. In 2023, she announced a $1 million donation to two humanitarian organizations working in the region: Human Appeal and Doctors Without Borders.

In July, she teamed up with US-based Palestinian singer Saint Levant to support Palestine.

The partnership introduces a new shade of the brand’s popular faux filler lip oil, with proceeds going to organizations that support Palestinian causes.

Named “Kalamantina,” the shade references Saint Levant’s song of the same name, released earlier this year. The lip oil also features a clementine scent.

“This is for the homeland,” Kattan wrote on the brand’s Instagram page at the time, alongside orange and Palestinian flag emojis. “In honor of this collaboration, Huda Beauty will make a donation to organizations supporting Palestinian agriculture and cultural preservation.”

Meanwhile, Ayoub lives between Ramallah, Amman and Dubai — where she founded an organization that trains content creators on sustainability and artificial intelligence.

She grew up in the occupied West Bank, the US and Canada.

After earning degrees in English literature and psychology, she went on to teach and work for NGOs in the occupied territories.

But after modeling at a fashion show in Italy, people working in the industry encouraged her to compete in beauty pageants, so she launched a Miss Palestine franchise.

In 2022, the first Miss Palestine pageant was held online to allow Palestinians scattered abroad, in Israel, and in the occupied territories to participate.

As the first winner of the title, Ayoub has worked on the organization’s philanthropic activities and in 2022 competed in Miss Earth, an environmentally minded pageant.

But since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, she has not participated in any beauty pageants.

RIYADH: Saudi fashion label HINDAMME showcased its “Hejaz Collection” at Riyadh Fashion Week recently, paying tribute to the Kingdom’s western province.

Creative head Mohammed Khoja began the runway presentation with a series of monochrome full-length dresses, knit cardigans, and silk button-downs, all printed with an Arabic font that was a motif throughout the show.

The font was reminiscent of the brand’s 2024 “Petroglyphs Collection,” highlighting Khoja’s previous work. 

Leopard-print elevated scarves and hats, while zebra-print hats, fur sweaters, silk dresses, and metallic boxy jackets added an electric edge to the new line.

One of the hero pieces — a single-breasted floor-length leather coat — symbolized the unisex versatility of the brand that was styled on both male and female models on the runway.

A silky, hot-pink ensemble was a highlight of the collection as a model adorned a mesh veil embroidered with the Arabic phrase “Arous Albahr,” which translates to “mermaid” or “bride of the sea.”

The phrase is usually used to refer to the city of Jeddah due to its strategic location on the Red Sea coast, making it a significant meeting point between countries and cultures historically.

Sunday night’s event gathered fashion enthusiasts and Saudi creatives, including musician Mishal Tamer — who also modeled one of the pieces during the show — as well as style and fashion influencer Faisal Ghazzawi, and digital creator Nirvana Abdul.

The brand, established in 2016, has become known for its contemporary, luxury, ready-to-wear pieces that are inspired by the concept of East meets West.

Khoja’s designs often blend elements of his native Saudi culture. His debut collection integrated contemporary interpretations of the “Al-Qatt Al-Aseeri” pattern into garments.

The pattern style is a traditionally female interior wall decoration, described by UNESCO as “an ancient art form considered as a key element of the identity of the region of Asir.”

Riyadh Fashion Week wrapped up on Oct. 21 with a showcase by designer Stella McCartney.