For the first time since the abraham accords two fashion magazines from israel and the uae join forces for a historic cover collaboration celebrating talents from both countries. Proving that when societies thrive, business thrives – and that fashion and politics go hand in hand. 

It is in that spirit that fashion entrepreneur Anna la Germaine, founder of media and consulting company Fashion Politique Ltd. has kickstarted and completed one of the most ambitious initiatives of fashion diplomacy of the past year. Thanks to her efforts, Israeli top model Yael Shelbia will appear on the Cover and in the pages of the February issue of &ldquo;L ́Officiel Arabia&rdquo;, shot by Israeli photographer Yossi Michaeli and wearing a look by Israeli designer brand MICU. Israeli fashion magazine LAISHA on the other hand will honour this historic moment by putting the same image on the cover of its own Issue coming out February 1st and featuring the special shoot in its pages. At the same time, LAISHA will dedicate its back Cover to Dubai-based model Chanel Ayan photographed by Adam Browning-Hill, and publish coverage of the fashion and luxury scene in the UAE.

&quot;Fashion and Politics are inseparable and the successful combination of both creates the ground for a flourishing business resulting in thriving economies of the countries. With Yael Shelbia on the cover of L&#39;Officiel Arabia and Chanel Ayan on the cover of LAISHA we are aiming to celebrate new business opportunities between UAE, Bahrain, and Israel.&quot;, says Anna la Germaine.

L'Officiel Arabia Yael_COVER.jpg

It is for the first time ever since the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, UAE and Bahrain in September 2020, that an Israeli Model will appear on the front page of an UAE Magazine and that a fashion publication LAISHA from Israel will promote a UAE talent Chanel Ayan on its cover. Israeli top model Yael Shelbia is a 19-year-old upcoming industry star with 1,3 million followers on Instagram, who has modelled for Kim Kardshians KKW Beauty and was recently named the most beautiful face of 2020 by TC Candler and the Independent Critics.

Shelbia looks stunning on the cover of L ́Officiel Arabia, wearing a silk blouse from the Winter 2020 collection by MICU. L ́Officiel Arabia is a Dubai-based High-Fashion magazine, which is published by Chalk Media FZ LLC under license from Jalou Media Group in Paris. As an influential voice in its region as well as abroad, it makes a perfect partner for LAISHA Magazine, which is Israel&rsquo;s most successful magazine, published since 1947 by Israel&rsquo;s main publisher Yediot Ahronoth group.

CF023017COVERIMAGE-2.jpg

Both covers are parts of a milestone that reflects a new chapter in the history of Israel&rsquo;s relationship with the UAE and Bahrain. Following the recent peace agreement between the countries this collaboration symbolizes the new potential for opportunities for fashion, lifestyle and luxury brands and the promise of progress for creative ideas and business partnerships on all sides.

Anna la Germaine is a former student of International Relations who graduated with a Masters Degree, and decided to apply her expertise in politics and diplomacy to fashion. She called her firm Fashion Politique accordingly, starting in 2011 as digital magazine F&rsquo;OLITIQUE,

which exists to this day. The company has since developed a 360-degrees range of services focusing on emerging and medium-sized brands and endeavours in the digital space.

La Germaine&rsquo;s holistic approach to fashion and its talents as well as her belief in their strong impact on society lead her to start working on this project in September 2020. It took months of negotiations and planning to make the vision become a reality.

&ldquo;L&rsquo;Officiel is known for breaking boundaries and pushing forward the future of fashion. I&rsquo;m proud that we are the first in the region to carry out a cover shoot with Yael Shelbia, post the signing of the UAE-Israel peace accord.&rdquo;, says Editor-in-Chief of L&rsquo;Officiel Arabia, Boba Stanic.

Karina Shtotland, Editor-in-Chief of LAISHA, says: &quot;We are happy to congratulate Anna la Germaine and L&#39;Officiel Arabia for choosing an Israeli model for a cover, the talented Yael Shelbia, and for giving Israeli fashion a wonderful stage. We are excited to be her partner on this groundbreaking first ever international collaboration, when two major magazines from different countries &ndash; who have just signed a historic accord &ndash; share a cover, promoting a message of peace, brotherhood (or shall I say sisterhood?) and cooperation, that bridges and unite between our nations.&rdquo;

Shtotland adds: &ldquo;It is our pleasure to have on our second cover a successful model from the UAE, Chanel Ayan. The women of Israel are eager to be introduced to UAE women and to learn more about them and about all aspects of life and culture. No doubt, celebrating talents, fashion and creation &ndash; is a wonderful way to tie connections and to build a strong and fruitful peace&quot;.

L'Officiel Arabia Yael_1861Final copy.jpg

L'Officiel Arabia Yael_1178 copy.jpg

L'Officiel Arabia Yael_2336Final copy.jpg

A wide range of Israeli talents have contributed to the story for L ́Officiel Arabia. Photographer Yossi Michaeli, known for his work in international editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper ́s Bazaar and L&rsquo;Officiel and clients like H&amp;M, H. Stern and Fila, shot the cover and the accompanying fashion editorial. The images were shot on location at The Peninsula New York in Midtown Manhattan, which proved the perfect backdrop for the photo shoot.

On the cover Yael Shelbia wears a design by upcoming Israeli brand MICU. Founded in 2019 by creatives Michal Stern and Inbar Ben Shabbat, the Jerusalem-based brand made its debut with its Fall Winter 2020 collection. The designers take inspirations from royal nobility, Renaissance art and architecture, translating them into clothes with clean cuts out of high quality fabrics like silk and wool. Its elegant and luxurious line uses minimalist tailoring and modern patterns and reflects childhood memories of the founders. Their families both come from creative backgrounds. Michal&rsquo;s mother used to sew sketches for royal families in the 50ies and her work inspires a lot of MICU creations. Inbar, the creative director, remembers the work of her father, a sculptor. Art being a shared passion in the family, it drove Inbar&rsquo;s interest in sewing, drawing and painting. The clothes are sewn in a Salon in Jerusalem. Tailored pants, feminine dresses with turtle necks or puffed sleeves, and a big cape made out of Italian mohair are the key elements of the first collection. On the cover, Shelbia wears a classic dark blue and white silk printed blouse, embodying the modest and sophisticated elegance that MICU stands for. The brand has showrooms in Jerusalem and Paris.

CF023544-2.jpg

Inside the magazines will also feature a special collaboration involving an Israeli artist as well as an UAE-based artist. At the heart of the collaboration is New York based brand FOXYLAB (foxylab_ny): FOXYLAB is a creative laboratory that marries art by different creatives with streetwear fashion. Following the guiding motto of the issue, FOXYLAB has teamed up with Israeli Illustrator Talia Zoref (@taliazorefstyle) as well as with Dubai-based calligrapher and muralist Diaa Allam (@diaallam) to create dresses imprinted with artworks of the talents.

As this collaboration is an important sign of progress, it reveals the potential there is for many more projects to come.

YAEL SHELBIA X L&#39;OFFICIEL ARABIA

Production: Anna La Germaine (@anna_lagermaine_private and @pr_yoda_diaries) x Fashion Politique (@fashionpolitique) /&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fashionpolitique.com/" style="color:#954f72">www.fashionpolitique.com</a>

PR: FPPR &amp; Media (@fp.pr) / fp-pr.com

Creative direction and styling: Julia Morris (@juliaamorris) @ Tracey Mattingly Agency (@traceymattinglyagency)

Photography: Yossi Michaeli (@yossimic)

Model: Yael Shelbia (@yaelshelbia) @ Itm Models (@itmodels__)

Hair: David Cruzusing Kevin Murphy (@thedavidcruz) @ Tracey Mattingly Agency (@traceymattinglyagency)

Make-up: Georgina Billingtonusing Chantecaille (@georginabillington) @ Judy Casey Agency (@judycaseyinc)

Nails: Kayo Higuchiusingusing CHANEL Le Vernis Rouge Puissant (@kayo.hc) @ Bryan Bantry Agency (@bryanbantryagency)

Location: The Peninsula New York (@thepeninsulanyc)

Brand Relations: Gili Biegun at joysmagazine.com (@joysworld_)

Talent Relationship: Akash Mehta (@mehta_a), Ryle Tuvierra (@thefiercewalker)

Assistants to Anna La Germaine: Maria Vittoria del Rosso (@mariavittoria_delrosso), Ekaterina Chekhirkina (@chkhrkna)

Assistant to Yossi Michaeli: Michael Santos (@michaelsantosphoto)

Post production: Doctor Raw

&nbsp;

CHANEL AYAN X LAISHA 2021

Production: Anna La Germaine (@anna_lagermaine_private and @pr_yoda_diaries) x Fashion Politique (@fashionpolitique) /&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fashionpolitique.com/" style="color:#954f72">www.fashionpolitique.com</a>

PR: FPPR &amp; Media (@fp.pr) / fp-pr.com

Creative direction and styling: Anna La Germaine (@anna_lagermaine_private and @pr_yoda_diaries)

Photography: Adam Browning-Hill (@browning_hill)

Model: Chanel Ayan (@chanelayan)

Hair&amp;Make-up: MariannaI vanets (@m_beauty_and_brows) Brand Relations: Gili Biegun at joysmagazine.com (@joysworld_)

Talent Relationship: Akash Mehta (@mehta_a), RyleTuvierra (@thefiercewalker)

Assistant to Anna La Germaine: Ekaterina Chekhirkina (@chkhrkna)

Assistant to Adam Browning-Hill: Jaffar (@jaffar_shereey)

A Peace of Fashion

Ierakstu izvēle

Editorials

MY SECRET GARDEN

Editorials

SHAPESHIFTER

Fashion Week

Dior Fall 2024 show pays homage to New York

Lifestyle

Allison Weiss Brady: “It’s never too late to make your dreams come true”

Gourmand Guide

Gourmet Haven: Unveiling Monaco's Most Exquisite Restaurants

Interior & Design

Omexco – videi draudzīgs akcents jūsu sienām

Lifestyle

Caroline Maria Derpienski: “I believe that charisma and creativity are the key to success”

Lifestyle

Lucy Boynton met with L'OFFICIEL ahead of the premiere of 'The Greatest Hits'