Designer Rami Al Ali has become the first Syrian to join the prestigious haute couture calendar in Paris after being invited to show his autumn/winter 2025 collection next month.
Celebrated for his sculptural evening wear, the Syria-born, Dubai-based designer's offer to join the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode schedule is a rare accolade and gives him the legal right to call himself an haute couturier.
Granted by the Parisian fashion federation only to labels that meet its rigorous standards of craftsmanship and artistry, haute couture is a protected designation.
Only a handful of houses hold permanent membership – including Chanel, Dior, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier – alongside a select few guest members invited to show each season.
Founded in 2001, Al Ali’s eponymous house has become popular with discerning clients who seek refined occasion-wear sculpted with an architect’s eye.
Although he has already shown his work in Paris alongside the official calendar, next month's appearance will be his first formal inclusion – a decisive moment in a journey defined by consistency and perseverance.
Al Ali’s elevation cements his reputation as one of the Middle East's most influential designers and also underscores the region's growing stature in the industry.
Previous regional names invited to join the haute couture calendar, including Lebanese designers Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Georges Chakra and Rami Kadi, as well as Dubai-based Michael Cinco and Saudi designer Ashi Studio, have helped position the region as the home of intricate craftsmanship and unabashed elegance.
Al Ali's achievement is also a nod to the evolving geography of couture itself. During a recent visit to Dubai, Business of Fashion founder Imran Amed outlined the Global South's growing importance to innovation in the industry.
While haute couture is an outlier from mainstream fashion – it is aimed at the needs and wants of perhaps 2,000 women worldwide – the elevation of yet another Middle East name to its storied ranks is more evidence of a region that is making an impact.
Al Ali's debut haute couture show in Paris will take place on July 10.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
