may 2022

Samira Said for Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Photo: Philipp Jelenska
This month I had a major fan moment, as we had the honor of photographing the one and only Samira Said. The singer is not only one of the most distinctive voices in the Arab world, on stage since the Seventies, she is also one of those stars you just have a blast with on set. As you might guess by Samira’s daring sense of style over the decades, she is truly Arabia’s fashion chameleon. She had no reservations during our photo shoot and was keen to try new things and reinvent herself. A true diva!
Visiting Samira at home in Cairo and chatting the night away over some Moroccan tea on a gorgeous Ramadan night was also a treat, and I loved to hear that after an eight-year hiatus, the artist is about to launch a new song in Moroccan Arabic, after Eid. That will certainly cause a commotion in her native country.
This month’s issue comes packed with other amazing women who inspire us with their leadership and vision. It is not a secret that the top roles in fashion, especially in regards to high-profile business positions, have been mostly occupied by men. Finally, we see a shift in this paradigm, with incredible women being appointed to top roles at iconic fashion houses. Some examples are Leena Nair, who was appointed Global CEO of Chanel in December; Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron; Alison Loehnis, president of luxury and fashion at Yoox Net-A-Porter Group; Pascale Lepoivre, CEO of Loewe; and Tunisian Nadia Dhouib, who was just appointed general manager of Paco Rabanne. We speak with some of these women in a feature on p106.
We’re also delving deep to underscore fashion’s latest efforts on sustainable and cruelty-free creations. During the pandemic, we saw this important change being accelerated, and recently even Fendi signaled interest in collaborating on the development of lab-grown, plastic-free faux fur. On the other hand, I see many of the promises that have been made by the industry – less traveling, smaller shows, and so on – being completely forgotten, with fashion weeks and shows in exotic locations coming back stronger than ever before, pushing new purchases and consumerism.  What happened to “buy less, buy better?” As part of the “fashion machine,” I’ve been having a hard time finding a balance, both as a consumer and as a professional. I don’t have the answer now, but finding this equilibrium is something we at Vogue Arabia will be working on. And I hope you can do the same, too, as we all have a role to play in the positive or negative impact that fashion has on the ecosystem. It all starts and stops in our closets.
Read Next: Vogue Arabia’s May 2022 Issue Showcases the Return of an Icon with Moroccan Singer Samira Said
Originally published in the May 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia

Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Photo: Philipp Jelenska
The May 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia celebrates one of music’s most beloved and distinctive voices, Moroccan singer Samira Said, as she releases her first song in Moroccan Arabic in eight years. The fashion chameleon – who has been electrifying audiences since the Seventies – is known for her daring and adventurous style and for this cover, she brings her diva power to glamorous looks from regional designers, including Nicolas Jebran, Georges Hobeika, and Toufic Al Hassan.
In her interview, Said opens up about her long career as one of the top-selling artists in the Middle East. “Success may be easy, but its continuation, especially for several decades, is difficult and faces many challenges. Throughout my career, I have tried to keep up with different generations and present everything new that attracts audiences. This is the secret of my persistence to this day,” she shares. As she focuses on her latest release – a new song to be released after Eid – the star reflects on her success and life, saying, “I don’t like to regret. It has no place in my life.” Said also discusses her distinctive style and why she loves reinventing her look and surprising her fans. “I’m a person who changes all the time, and I’m changeable. I can change with every stage. I change my mindset and make choices according to the stage I’m in. I have the ability to take risks and go through whatever is new.”
Alison Loehnis. Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Illustration: Maria West
The May issue is a celebration of strong, powerful women, both in front of the camera and in the upper echelons of fashion, where a host of female CEOs have recently taken the reins. In an illuminating feature on this changing of the guard, we look at what impact having a female leader can have on business, and find out how these inspiring executives – including Leena Nair, Global CEO Chanel, Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron, Alison Loehnis, president of luxury and fashion at Yoox Net-A-Porter Group, Pascale Lepoivre, CEO of Loewe, and Tunisian Nadia Dhouib, general manager of Paco Rabanne – are shaking up a male-dominated industry. In a further exclusive, deputy executive director of UN Women Anita Bhatia explains why now, more than ever, it is crucial to bring women leaders to the table: “Economic empowerment of women can create conditions for a family to be poverty free, to live in a sustainable way, and, ultimately, for the prosperity of a whole nation.”
Farrah El Dibany. Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Photo: Bastien Lattanzio
Arab women are making waves in all areas of art and culture, as we find out from Egyptian opera singer Farrah El Dibany. Fresh from singing at the re-election of French president Emmanuel Macron, the star of the stage talks about the power of women creating interesting, dynamic work – and the courage it took from her to reach the highest levels of opera. “I’m still considered young in the opera world. I’m still growing. Audiences are not used to seeing people my age already doing so many other things,” she shares.
Benchellal. Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Photo: Desiree Mattsson
We also travel to Beirut to sit down with jewelry designer Selim Mouzannar, and 2020 Vogue Fashion Prize winner, Mohamed Benchellal, opens his atelier to showcase his latest designs, and talks about how sustainability and his Moroccan heritage are more than trends for him; it is an ethos. “When you grow up as a Moroccan child, your culture is woven into your identity. Now more than ever, I feel I embody the best of these two worlds. There is the warmth of my Moroccan heritage and the freedom and discovery of my European upbringing.” Also in this issue, we delve into fashion’s latest developments with sustainable materials, from mushroom leather to luxury handbags created from plant waste.
From left: Lara Scandar, Salma Abu Deif, Rakeen Saad, Jamila Awad. Vogue Arabia, May 2022. Photo: Amina Zaher
Lush drama in fashion and beauty is also celebrated with shoots showcasing the evocative new-season looks and accessories. The issue also dives into the latest beauty trends, from groundbreaking ingredients and formulas to the latest makeup and perfume releases.
Read Next: Hassan Hajjaj Welcomes the World into His Playful Pop Kingdom Created in Morocco