Models with Arab heritage hit the runway for Versace, including Gigi Hadid and Nora Attal


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Gigi and Bella Hadid, Imaan Hammam and Nora Attal were among the models walking the runway for Versace at Milan Fashion Week.

The models, who are all part-Arab, joined Paris Hilton, as she made a surprise guest appearance to close the show, which highlighted the spring/summer 2023 collection titled "a goddess gone grunge".

The reality star and DJ, 41, a long-time friend of Donatella Versace, wore a metallic pink mini dress with a matching veil and fingerless gloves.

The veil is thought to be a nod to Hilton's wedding to Carter Reum in November, for which she wore six custom dresses, including a pink one by Alice + Olivia that came with a hot-pink veil.

Paris Hilton walks the runway during Versace's womenswear spring/summer 2023 show during the Milan Fashion Week in Italy. Getty
Paris Hilton walks the runway during Versace's womenswear spring/summer 2023 show during the Milan Fashion Week in Italy. Getty

The last time Donatella and Hilton were seen together was at Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's Los Angeles wedding in June.

Fans praised the Cooking with Paris star for the Barbiecore aesthetic, with one writing on social media: “Paris Hilton is the ultimate Versace Barbie.”

The Palestinian-American Hadid sisters, Dutch star Hammam — who is of Moroccan and Egyptian descent — and British model Attal, who is also of Moroccan heritage, were also joined by French-Algerian breakout Loli Bahia.

Supermodels Irina Shayk, from Russia, and Emily Ratajkowski, from the US, also took part in the show.

Sitting front row was Hilton's sister Nicky Hilton, as well as actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Chloe Cherry, and models Ashley Graham and Alessandra Ambrosio.

Versace's latest collection opened with all-black looks, including form-fitting dresses and biker jackets with leather trousers sporting fringes and metal studs.

Models present creations for the latest collection by Versace called "a goddess gone gothic". EPA
Models present creations for the latest collection by Versace called "a goddess gone gothic". EPA

Models then showed off pink and purple designs, flared trousers and zebra print chiffon shirts, to name a few standout looks.

“I have always loved a rebel," said Donatella. "A woman who is confident, smart and a little bit of a diva.

"She wears leather, studs and frayed denim and she has enough attitude to mix them with chiffon, jersey, and a tiara! She is a strong liberated woman; she is gorgeous; she knows it. She is the Goddess of Freedom.”

Bella and Gigi Hadid aren't the only models with Arab heritage — here are eight others

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The Farewell

Director: Lulu Wang

Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma

Four stars

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

Updated: September 25, 2022, 6:21 AM`