Moroccan

Malika El Maslouhi photographed by Dan Belieu for Vogue Arabia December 2019
After taking the runways by storm, Malika El Maslouhi has landed her very first solo Vogue cover. The Moroccan model stars on Vogue Arabia’s May 2021 issue, which is dedicated to the remarkable craftsmanship that makes the fashion world go round.
A rising star and one to keep on your radar, read on for six things you need to know about El Maslouhi.
1. The model was born in Milan to a Moroccan father and an Italian mother and is signed with agencies in London, Paris, and Barcelona.
Malika El Maslouhi for Dior Resort 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Christian Dior
2. Having started modeling at 18 years of age, El Maslouhi’s four-year-old career is already studded with revered houses like Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Moschino, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren.
3. Besides being a fixture at fashion weeks, the 22-year-old model also has many campaigns under her belt. Her portfolio boasts international names including Jacquemus, Off-White, Lanvin, Calvin Klein Swim, and Zadig & Voltaire.
Vogue Arabia December 2019 cover. Photography: Dan Belieu
4. Although this is her first solo Vogue cover, it is not the first time the model has starred in the magazine. In December 2019, El Maslouhi was featured in Vogue Arabia’s group cover alongside fellow models Nora Attal, Hayett McCarthy, Nour Rizk, and Leyla Karim Greiss.
5. While being proud of her Moroccan heritage, El Maslouhi aims to inspire young Arab women in fashion to lead the charge for change. “On a smaller scale, I have become a reference point for several young women telling me how proud they are to see an Arab girl representing them on a global stage,” she shared with Vogue Arabia. “It gives me energy every day to fulfill that role, and to try to represent a positive light for Arab women so we can progressively and constructively move forward. We – as much as all women – try to break out of the norms that have existed for generations.”

6. El Maslouhi’s passion for uplifting regional talent extends beyond the runway. She recently became the first model to collaborate with Ishkar on a collection of handcrafted accessories. The London-based retailer is an online marketplace for artisans from Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan to showcase their work and earn a living.
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The Moroccan jewelry designer celebrates her first standalone boutique with an overview of her eclectic style.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

Tastemaker jewels
“I’ve always been amazed by precious stones,” says jeweler Miryam Labiad, who has a penchant for colorful gemstones and designs that exude femininity and strength. “After working for years in the fashion industry, I decided to accomplish my childhood dream and enter the world of jewelry.” Labiad majored in communication and advertising at Sup de Pub in Paris and founded her fashion consulting agency Fashion Affair prior to launching her jewelry label, Mimia LeBlanc. While she currently lives in Beirut and Paris, her brand identity is deeply personal and rooted in her Moroccan heritage.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

For the boys
An edgy take on reworked symbols, diamond motifs, and engraved cameos on rings, earrings, and pendants have become her signature features, adopted by celebrities Kim Kardashian, Haifa Wehbe, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Cyrine Abdelnour, Assala Nasri, Angham, and singer- songwriter Saad Lamjarred. “Men are usually attracted to Mimia LeBlanc jewelry’s edgy and statement pieces in white or black rhodium gold,” explains Labiad, who also studied at the Institut National de Gemmologie in Paris. “Saad is one of my closest friends and we are currently working on a unique and exclusive jewelry line,” she reveals. In addition to this forthcoming collaboration, Labiad will also open the doors to her first Mimia LeBlanc standalone boutique in Morocco at the end of this month.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

Harnessing her heritage
Turning to the past, Labiad’s jewelry collection features one-of-a-kind, reworked vintage pieces. “My earliest memories with jewelry include eight-year-old me creating bracelets and necklaces by using old items from my mother’s jewelry box. The final result was always unique and beautiful,” she reminisces. Meanwhile, culture plays an integral part of her brand’s success. “My bestselling collections were inspired by my royal and powerful country, such as the Emblem of Morocco, Vintage Nostalgia, and the Crown Collection,” she shares.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

Mother knows best
Trend driven, Labiad’s personal style encompasses a mix-and-match approach of statement pieces and tailored essentials that serve as a canvas to her bold accessories; the pillars of her sartorial formula. “You can say that I am a shoes and bags addict; I always invest in statement and unique pieces that I can style in different ways and for many occasions. I’m currently in love with Amina Muaddi’s creations,” explains Labiad, dressed in boyish denim jeans and a white shirt by Equipment that she elevates with a pair of Ermanno Scervino cowboy boots. While Labiad has a sharp eye for trends, she grounds her closet with treasured heirloom pieces passed down from her mother. “I have a special Moroccan caftan in velvet with gold hand-embroidered details that my mother wore on her engagement day,” she offers. The piece shares closet space with a vintage Yves Saint Laurent striped dress and a brown mink coat that her mother purchased during her first trip to Paris with her father.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

Strike a pose
It’s no secret that Labiad prioritizes time for physical and mental wellbeing in her day. A quick scroll through her Instagram feed and you’ll come to discover that yoga is her go-to workout. “It’s not just exercise, it’s one of my favorite hobbies. Not only for its physical benefits, but also for its mental effects, since it is one of the best ways to reduce stress,” she states. The designer starts her day with a yoga session and never skips a workout, even while on vacation. Her drawer of activewear ranges from Alo Yoga sets to Nike supportwear and tank tops. “Lately, I am in love with Paco Rabanne workout clothes,” says Labiad, who frequently sports coordinated sets and high-performance metallic separates.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi

Face flex
Huda Beauty Wishful Clean Genie Cleansing Butter does all the heavy lifting for removing a day’s worth of makeup; afterwards, she locks in her moisturizers and serums with the line’s hydrating mist. Not only does Labiad turn to yoga to stay fit, her nighttime skincare routine includes exercising her face muscles by way of facial yoga. “Before bed, I rinse my face with cold water. Then, I mix my night cream from ZO Skin Health with a drop of pure argan oil before I start massaging my face. Facial yoga is my favorite beauty trick because it keeps my skin plump and firm,” says the ZO Skin Health brand ambassador.
Culinary travel
Food is central to Labiad’s travel itinerary, and she often finds her way back to her favorite restaurants, whether she’s on a work trip or on holiday. “Cipriani Downtown in New York City has the most delicious tagliolini with white truffle I’ve ever tasted,” she shares. Meanwhile, if she’s in Istanbul, she’ll order the risotto with asparagus at Spago. “The most exceptional of all is our traditional couscous, of course,” she says with a smile of the heartwarming dish that she must have when visiting her parents.
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Originally published in the February 2021 issue of Vogue Arabia