Ch-Ch-Changes & Reaffirming Radical Elegance

Perhaps, without even realising it, we have collectively taken aspects of life for granted? What can be a constant in this new era? A go-to perfume was always available but then it gets discontinued. Your most trusted columnist, who eased you into the weekend supplements, has put down the pen and retired. Or a long-standing Creative Director has abruptly exited a fashion house only to join 2025’s on-going turbulence of fashion’s musical chairs. Take these lighter moments and intersperse them with the most serious and heartbreaking news unfolding across the world, you’d be forgiven for feeling like there are no sure areas of life anymore. Then there are entire places that have stood still in time but are now rapidly changing, like my beloved Saudi. Read here about how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in a state of evolution.

I’ve taken it as a reality check that all areas of life are in flux. AI grazes at the ankles of creatives; the price of everything waltzes upwards; on social media, tempers fray towards subculture communities. Arguably, now is that time to hold onto the values of kindness, radical elegance, and manners. Why? Because that is an area we can control and keep constant - ourselves, and our own behaviour. That is why I’ve ensured that the concept of ‘radical elegance’ is an undercurrent to all of my podcasts and editorials. The Manners That Matter is an on-going series I enjoy editing each quarter. It’s a column that serves to remind us of our own sphere of influence and how we don’t need to give permission to the behaviours of others. 

All this said, there are things we thought were over that suddenly fall back into favor. Case in point: Dressing tables are officially cool again. Read more here.

Paris was beautiful this March 2025 and Riyadh even more so. For me Spring so far has been a time of family, reflection, travelling, and fasting the stomach to feed the soul. Being with loved ones and keeping perspective is a greater ticket than any front row. When it comes to this show season, I admit to getting lost as to which lead designer is now at the helm of where, and I know that the top runway critics are dizzy too! My new ‘constant’ in fashion is Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford (what a sublime and oh-so wearable Fall 2025 collection he produced) and I’m forever in a loop of satisfaction and delight with Mary Katrantzou at Bulgari. You can discover my favorite finds and curated wish-list here.

The most discussed topic that keeps coming my way from designers, buyers, students, and C-suite executives is how to make things fly sales-wise with Gulf customers. To such an extent that we dedicated an entire podcast to discussing this very topic; you can listen to it here. Our original article on this subject is still the top-read on Deenathe1st.com. I’d like to know your responses, dear readers from the Gulf, and read about what you think? How can brands genuinely capture your attention? What is missing right now from your favourite malls or stores in the region? What isn’t working for you and your wardrobe? Contact us here to share your thoughts.

Call it escapism, but I’m reading a lot. Reading refuels my love of facts, which get laced into my podcasts and articles. Some people like to write, I prefer talking. But the greatest thing is to read and listen, and then formulate thoughts that need to be heard. I’ll keep carving out a space for Arab women to be at the table in fashion, media, and more; maybe it’ll become a consistent reality soon and a positive change we can all welcome. Inshallah.

Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz