The world’s premier fashion magazine is headed our way and we’re thrilled to see a very fashion-forward Arab woman will be at the helm: Vogue Arabia has named Saudi Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz as its editor-in-chief.
The magazine will launch as an English and Arabic website this fall before the print magazine appears next spring, Business of Fashion announced Tuesday.
Abdulaziz is the perfect choice for the magazine’s MidEast launch. Not only is she super-chic, her intimate knowledge of the region means she can walk the fine line between the Arab world’s myriad definitions of modesty. Vogue itself once called her “a walking, talking East–West compare-contrast; a diplomatic arbiter of the nuances of cool and cultural sensitivities in at least two vastly differing cultures.”
A mother of three and the co-founder and director of exclusive members-only boutique D’NA, Abdulaziz married into the Saudi royal family and has become a fashion icon known across the world – Christian Louboutin even named a shoe after her – in addition to mentoring emerging fashion talents.
She knows her stuff, and she’s hoping Vogue Arabia will help to break some of the stereotypes about Arab women.
“Perhaps outside of our region there’s an underlying assumption that Middle Eastern women aren’t empowered, when we actually have a long history of accomplishments — though those stories don’t surface often enough,” Abdulaziz told BoF. “One particular aim we have is that Vogue Arabia will play a role in elevating these stories to the global stage through the medium and lens of fashion and culture.”
Vogue Arabia, a joint operation between Vogue parent company Condé Nast and Dubai-based Nervora, will be based in Dubai. Its print distribution will focus on Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi, and the UAE, in addition to emerging fashion markets like Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco, BoF said.
“It’s true that our region is conservative by nature, but Arab women are no different than their counterparts around the globe in that we want to feel empowered and look beautiful,” Abdulaziz said.
WE SAID THIS: You go, Abdulaziz! You go!