Reflections of an Artist: Nadine Labaki

I’m going to kick-off the October issue’s Editor’s Letter by delving straight into our cover topic – or more precisely, our spectacular cover star – Nadine Labaki (The Power of Cinema, on page 124 in the October issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia).

Humble and endearing yet mysteriously enigmatic, capturing the multi-faceted essence of Nadine was a massive responsibility, one that I did not take lightly. While spending a day with her in Paris, every sentence she uttered and every interaction she made, her story grew deeper and deeper, till the full picture developed.  

I was left in awe – wondering how such a beautifully-fragile soul can make a reverberating global impact on society, choosing to tackle the toughest questions revolving humanity, the Arab world and our current political infrastructure. 

Meeting Nadine in person is truly one of the highest privileges of holding my position. I don’t mind if I sound like I’m gushing by saying this – because I totally am – but I can dedicate this entire little as a love note to her. (Girl crush alert!)

But in addition to, the issue has many more treasures waiting to be discovered by you.

Firstly, our fashion feature’s muse and daring Gen Zer, Salma Malhas (page 140), whom we shot in the streets of Harlem during New York Fashion Week; showcasing Tommy x Zendaya’s latest show-stopping (or rather traffic-stopping) collection.

Then comes, Haifaa al-Mansour, the first-ever Saudi Arabian female director to shoot a film right on the streets of Riyadh. Her message captured our hearts and her pioneering story intrigued the world over; breaking boundaries and creating global bridges simultaneously (Directing Change, page 120).

We flip the camera lens on four photographers, creating art across the Arab region, magnifying their distinctly unique perspectives on life and art in our visually-stimulating Talking Point – appropriately titled – Oh, Snap! (page 110).

Emirati Artist, Zainad Alhashemi, opens a doorway into her creative vision: a world where artists don’t need a side hustle in order to make ends meet, the journey she takes to fabricate her colossal pieces and the moment that changed her life forever. (An Artistic Awakening, page 106)

We dedicate this entire issue to our regional creatives. Celebrating Fashion Forward’s fascinating designers, an audacious selection of artists and photographers, filmmakers and producers, writers, poets, actors and activists.   

It is in my humble opinion – and I am not biased at all – that this is our most exciting issue yet…

To read my full interview with the Lebanese director who has won the Cannes Film Festival's Jury Prize here: https://bit.ly/NadineLabakiForBazaarArabia