Venice Beach, March 2012.
After several years of building a relationship with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, the magazine entrusted me with the primary photography for their prestigious Best Dressed feature. This wasn’t just another fashion shoot: it was an opportunity to help define and celebrate the evolving style landscape of the Middle East, and to present the region’s most fashionable women to an international audience.
The Primary Assignment.
The creative challenge was complex: photograph Middle Eastern style sensibilities for a global audience while remaining authentic to both contemporary fashion and regional cultural values. The answer was sophisticated styling that honored conservative dressing traditions while embracing modern, cutting-edge fashion, the featured ensemble, a flowing purple maxi dress under a structured black blazer, held that balance exactly.
The Unexpected Backdrop.
Weathered fence boards in Venice Beach, intentional and symbolic. Rather than placing high fashion in predictably glamorous settings, we sought contrast: refined elegance against raw, everyday texture. The weathered wood gave natural warmth that complemented the autumn palette while the sophisticated styling shone, and the location became the perfect metaphor for the shoot itself, beauty found in unexpected places, elegance elevated by contrast.
The Contributors Page.
The March 2012 Best Dressed issue featured more Kuwaiti women than any previous edition, a cultural moment: the recognition and celebration of Middle Eastern style on an international platform. The feature highlighted personal style over trends, celebrating individual expression within cultural context, and it resonated with readers who wanted their own aesthetic values reflected in international fashion media.
Natural Light, Golden Hour.
Working outdoors meant adapting to natural conditions while holding the polished aesthetic Harper’s Bazaar demanded: natural light with subtle enhancement, a 50mm lens for intimate portraits, reflectors for fill. The autumn timing was crucial, providing the warm, golden light that built the rich, textured atmosphere visible in the final images, editorial and authentic at once.
The Featured Women
Nadia Behbehani, Amal Khoursheed, Fatima Al-Qadiri, Hanan Al Jouan, Hind Al Wazzan, and Noor Al Sabah, six Kuwaiti women whose personal style defined the issue, celebrated on an international platform in unprecedented numbers.
The Creative Team
Styling by Robyn Daniels, hair by Lauren Jones, makeup by Rebecca Lucia. Each brought expertise in creating looks that would translate beautifully in print while respecting the cultural context of the publication’s readership.