Vogue Arabia Magazine - May 2023

In this issue

Vogue Arabia + Vogue Living Arabia After an abrupt departure from the world of fashion in 2020, Halima Aden is back on the cover of Vogue. But this time, on her own terms, and never forgetting where she comes from. It is not a coincidence that this small but unforgettable village in Africa was selected as the backdrop for Halima Aden’s first cover shoot after she unexpectedly exited the fashion industry in 2020. Now we see Aden’s story being written again, but on her own terms, and right in front of our eyes. Wearing a delicate, white Chanel lace dress (with an underbody and a classic veil, of course), she is posing next to a beautiful Moroccan door – blue, as everything else around us. The May issue is also a celebration of another trailblazer – The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey. Reinventing Ariel for a new generation, Bailey wasn’t ready for the racist backlash that followed the announcement of a woman of color playing the mermaid on Disney’s live-action remake. In this edition we also look at fashion through the bold lens of Harris Reed, the new creative director of Nina Ricci. The rising star has always championed unapologetic self-expression, and intends to continue doing so. Our fashion pages also put exquisite craftsmanship and opulent drama in the spotlight, with shoots in Tunisia, Cape Town, and Milan that celebrate new-season trends. In Arabia, we speak to Jordanian actress Rakeen Saad for a feature on her relationship with her mother, jewelry designer Rawabi Abughazaleh. We also meet with Syrian actress Karess Bashar, as she returns with Ramadan hit drama El Nar Bel Nar.