They’re identical twins, young, glamorous, muse-worthy, fashion week front row mainstays—and I’m not talking about Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Sama and Haya Abu Khadra are 18-year-old twin sisters who are quickly becoming recognizable faces (even if you can’t tell theirs apart) on sartorial blogs and fashion week front rows alike. Daughters of Rula Abu Khadra, founder of the chic The Art of Living lifestyle boutique in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the girls are of Palestinian heritage but call the glamorous Dubai home (when they’re not jet-setting to fashion shows, that is). They began generating buzz when they started scouting for their mom’s store by themselves at international fashion weeks in 2008 at the tender age of 15.
Sama and Haya Abu Khadra went head-to-toe cream for their front row appearances during Paris Fashion Week at John Galliano, left, and Givenchy, right. Photos: style.com
Perhaps the youngest buyers ever, the girls stand out for their buoyant auburn locks and creative style choices, combining daring designer choices (their favorite is Hussein Chalayan) with colorful vintage picks—and then there’s the fact that they’re a mirror image of one another. Chinese fashion website Icon Trends recounted that the twins, when asked whether they have the same taste, said in unison, “YES.”
The twins show off legs as long as their hair in tights and sky-high heels. They look luxe in velvet and furs in Paris last march, left, and mixed jewel tones, booties, and blazers at Paris Fashion Week S/S 2012, right. Photos: Waynetippets.com, vanessajackman.blogpost.com
Sama and Haya have been featured on Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s Best Dressed list and in WWD, and posed for an editorial shoot in the Winter 2009 issue of i-D.
In a Vanity Fair Italia piece about the duo, Lucilla Bonaccorsi, daughter of designer Luisa Beccaria, described what inspired her mother to name them as muses: “These two young women perfectly embody our glamorous poetic style.” Their classical beauty, said Bonaccorsi, resembles “a Botticelli painting come to life.” Not only do the Abu Khadras forecast trends for The Art of Living, they also occasionally hit the catwalks themselves. In 2009, Natalie Rykiel personally invited the twins to model the Sonia Rykiel Spring collection in Dubai.
The Abu Khadras at their Paris Fashion Week debut in 2008, left, and in 2009. Photos: thesartorialist.com, trendycrew.com
Even Fashion Spot forum members have been entranced by the pair:
“They’re stunning and I love their style.” [alyshalee]
“Oh to be young, rich, privileged, and beautiful. *sighs*” [eternitygoddess]
“I’ve read about these girls a while ago, but I didn’t find that inspiring since everything is because of who their parents are and the background they come from.” [FASHIONLOVA]
Whether their appeal is due to the unique look or their privileged lineage, it’s clear that Sama and Haya Abu Khadra are making their mark on the fashion world.
Rocking graphic tees, loud prints, and strong shoulders this year in Paris, left, and going feminine in petal pink Chanel tweed at Paris Fashion Week A/W 2011, right.
Photos: trendycrew.com, vanessajackman.blogspot.com
