DUBAI: Lebanon’s Roni Helou is a regular at the region’s definitive fashion platform Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), which kicked off on Thursday. The designer is a graduate of Creative Space Beirut, and has shown at FFWD twice before. This time he is showing along with Hazem Kais at a presentation that showcases talents from his alma mater. As one of the few designers from the Middle East to address the issue of sustainability, his show — slated for Thursday — is one that the industry is watching. An avid human and animal rights activist, the designer said: “Ensuring the Roni Helou brand is as sustainable as possible is an ongoing mission for me. I’ve always believed in the importance of ethical practices and social justice, and I try to be careful when it comes to leaving environmental footprints behind.” The collection he will show at FFWD uses dead stock materials and discarded fabrics. “The campaign images were shot at a landfill site to emphasize the significance of the issue. Lebanon’s garbage crisis peaked in 2015, and it’s still very much an issue… Given that the fashion industry has a detrimental impact on the environment as a whole, I decided to face the issue head on by digging through markets and sourcing high-quality vintage fabrics and trimmings instead of using newer, chemically-treated and dyed materials,” Helou said. The Hesitation Shirt/Skirt is the piece the designer is most proud of from the collection. “As you can probably guess from the name, it is a shirt than can also be worn as a skirt. I love this piece because it was both challenging and satisfying to turn a shirt into a wearable, practical skirt; I also like the fact that it is designed to be worn in three different ways, which means it’s a timeless piece.” It is made of three fabrics all sourced from surplus stocks. It is no surprise to hear this 27-year-old ‘s ultimate goal is for his eponymous label to be one of the leading luxury sustainable brands in the region. Just a few months ago Roni had the opportunity to exhibit his FW19 collection at London proving he is on track for his career goal. While the young designer believes he still has “lots to learn,” Roni Helou is indeed a label to look out for. Topics: FASHION FORWARD DUBAI SUSTAINABLE FASHION HIDE COMMENTS Cirque du Soleil promises unforgettable Riyadh Season show Updated 31 October 2019 ASEEL BASHRAHEEL October 31, 2019 18:30 253 Cirque du Soleil Bazzar tells the tale of a maestro and a floating woman who keeps disrupting him and a mini maestro who wants to take his leading role The acrobatic performers on stage will be accompanied by three musicians — one of them can play up to 17 instruments RIYADH: Set in a white tent at Riyadh Front, the international team of artists and crew behind the sensational Cirque du Soleil gathered to prepare for their opening night on Nov. 1 as part of the Riyadh Season. The show’s publicist Nicolas Chabot told Arab News about Cirque du Soleil Bazzar, which will tell the tale of a maestro and a floating woman who keeps “disrupting” him and a mini maestro who wants to take his leading role. “People come to see Cirque du Soleil shows to see acrobatic acts, and Bazzar will hold 10 impressive acts with 32 artists in the choreographed show. We have beautiful costumes and amazing music in what is known as contemporary circus,” he said. That means there will be no animal tricks during the show. Instead, it will have a mixture of acts, dance, music and theater. “That is what Cirque du Soleil has been doing for 35 years,” added Chabot. The acrobatic performers on stage will be accompanied by three musicians — one of them can play up to 17 instruments. But unlike operas and plays, the acrobatic performance will lead the music. The songs will vary from pop to folk and classical music, to appeal to all ears. This is not Lauren Joy Herley’s first visit to Saudi. The performer who plays the floating woman, a rebellious trickster, in Bazzar was part of Cirque du Soleil’s Sand on Saudi National Day last year, and she is excited to be back. “Last year in Riyadh, the audience was very, very vocal, and I am hoping they are this year too,” she said. As an intimate show, Herley thinks that “it brings about a raw, energetic atmosphere that does not rely on projections and side effects but the individuals that you see bringing their presence and skill.” She said she was very proud to present Cirque du Soleil to Saudi Arabia, describing her previous experience as “different but positive.” In order to show respect for Saudi audiences and to the kingdom’s culture, head of wardrobe Alexandra revealed that they had to modify 15 outfits. But that did not decrease the performers’ mobility. “We made sure the artists trained in their modified outfits, and everyone is really excited for their upgraded clothes.” Rania Al-Ghamdi, from Jeddah, has been a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil and she pledged to visit Bazzar during the Riyadh Season. Part of her obsession goes back to the fact that the circus giants refuse to incorporate animals in their performances, and were against it from the start. “They spread awareness by leading by example, a movement that is led by many nowadays, but they did it first,” she said. Al-Ghamdi also likes that there is always a tale to their performances; it is not “just an acrobatic show,” the costumes, makeup, the story, the art and the effort they put into their shows are what makes them unrivaled. “They dig deep and research, learn languages to create songs that tell the tale in a very artistic way,” she added. Cirque du Soleil Bazzar will open on Nov. 1 until Dec. 7 to dazzle the Riyadh Season, before moving on to the Caribbean. Topics: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL RIYADH SEASON SHOW COMMENTS RELATED SPECIAL 231 ART & CULTURE Cirque du Soleil in Saudi Arabia: The perfect tribute to a rich culture 1021 SAUDI ARABIA Young Saudi pianist shines in Riyadh Season Latest Updates Saudi finance minister losing no sleep over oil price 419 Five key takeaways from the zappy mind blast that is FII 276 Johnson pledges January Brexit after missing ‘do or die’ deadline 116 The chosen bun: Decade-old burger’s decay livestreamed in Iceland 128 Why the gig economy has more concerns than zero-hour contracts 137