Georgina Rodriguez, 28, is proving to be something of a style leader as she settles into life in Riyadh alongside her partner Cristiano Ronaldo and their children.
The move to the kingdom has prompted a shift in Rodriguez's dressing, as she trades in siren dresses and skin-tight bodysuits for more modest options. This has not dampened her style, however, as evident when the Argentinian model visited Riyadh's Boulevard World this week, wearing a pulled-together outfit featuring a polo neck, jacket and jeans tucked into knee-high boots.
Earlier this month, she sported a sleek black turtleneck underneath an abaya, at Ronaldo's unveiling as an Al Nassr player at Mrsool Park. As the whole family took to the pitch, Rodriguez wore a black Max Mara turtleneck top and Elisabetta Franchi jeans, under a deep red velvet abaya by Qatari brand Dollab Line. Dubbed the Spiral, owing to the abaya's asymmetric lapels, one of which falls in soft ruffles, it has sparked a rush of women copying her style online.
During the Fifa World Cup 2022, to cheer on Portugal in Doha, Rodriguez teamed a fitted black dress with a pale pistachio abaya by regional brand 1309 Studios.
This demureness marks a stylistic shift for the model, who has been living in the spotlight since becoming Ronaldo's partner in 2016. Over the years, she has honed a signature look of tight, attention-grabbing looks, including the silver backless mermaid cut dress she wore at the Cannes Film Festival, to Marine Serre bodysuits.
More recently, however, Rodriguez has been embracing a more directional style, wearing several looks by the avant-garde label Vetements. With looks incorporating built-in gloves or covered in dollar-bill patterning, she has been upping her fashion credentials.
If these looks feel reminiscent of Kim Kardashian's high-profile Balenciaga outfits however, that is because Vetements was co-founded by Demna Gvasalia, who is Balenciaga's creative director.
Although Demna — who prefers to be known by only one name — left the brand in 2019, his brother Guram Gvasalia remains at the helm.
While it is also heartening to see Rodriguez embracing the abaya, these recent outings are not the first time she has stepped out in region-appropriate wear.
In December 2020, she posted an image of herself in Dubai, wearing a floor-length embroidered velvet chapan, or men’s coat, from Uzbekistan, while in 2019, she attended the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards wearing an embroidered gown and matching cape, with her head covered with a shayla.
As the family settles into life in the region, it will be interesting to see how the fashion-loving Rodriguez navigates mixing her love of revealing clothes with local sensibilities. Given the start she has got off to, we can look forward to her supporting more regional modestwear designers.
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Company%20profile
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Sweet%20Tooth
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New schools in Dubai
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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