Firsts by Deena

Firsts by Deena

By Deena Aljuhani AbdulazizSociety & CultureArtsFashion & Beauty
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Firsts by Deena episodes

  • Beyond Assumptions: How Brands Can Truly Connect with Middle Eastern Consumers

    Why do brands misunderstand the Middle Eastern consumer? It’s a question we’re tackling head-on in this episode of Firsts.

    Deena is joined by Philippa Morgan, Executive Director of International Markets at Dazed Media and Creative Strategy Director + Lead Editor at Deenathe1st. With a history of collaboration dating back to Vogue Arabia, Deena and Philippa bring deep industry knowledge to the table. Philippa has launched global publications at Condé Nast and most recently oversaw the launch of Dazed MENA. While Deena, a Saudi-American fashion authority, has an unparalleled pulse on Arab consumer culture.

    Together, they break down what brands get wrong, how they can do better, and celebrate designers who successfully blend heritage with contemporary design. Expect a bold, against-the-grain conversation—classic Firsts style.


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    38 min
  • Podcasts Killed the Video Star - Deena on Gen MTV
    In this episode of Firsts, Deena delves into the impact of music videos on her life and on the broader cultural landscape. She recalls the 80s and 90s era of MTV, highlighting this new creative frontier that captivated her, particularly through the videos of Duran Duran, Don Henley, Bryan Ferry, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. She discusses the visionary directors like David Fincher who transformed music videos into artistic short films. Deena also reflects on the diminished cultural role of music videos in the current social media age while advocating for their recognition as a distinct art form. The episode is a tribute to the music videos that shaped her aesthetic sensibilities and the talented artists behind them.

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    16 min
  • Finding Your DNA As A Designer with Mary Katrantzou
    What does the evolution of a designer look like? How do designers find their DNA? For designer Mary Katrantzou, who started off by pursuing a career in architecture and interior design and then found fashion as her medium of expression, her journey led to her breakout collection being featured in London Fashion Week’s 2008 graduating show, to then launching her eponymous label in 2009. Today, she’s the Creative Director of Bulgari Leather Goods and Accessories. Given the moniker Queen of Print, Mary’s iconic designs have redefined how prints can tell stories, becoming her undeniable USP. However, her journey is much more than her designs—it’s a testament to the evolution of a designer and the discovery of one’s creative DNA. Honest and candid, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the conversations Deena and Mary share regularly. Their friendship is deeply rooted in mutual trust, and this podcast is a product of that bond—two women, longtime confidantes, connecting over their shared journeys and creative philosophies.

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    44 min
  • Fashion Commentary 101 with Hanan Besovic of ideservecouture

    We're back with an episode that is unapologetically honest! Remember when fashion reviews weren’t just about hype? Hanan Besovic, the voice behind the popular Instagram account @ideservecouture, is bringing that era back. 'When the work is good, I love to praise fashion. But when it's not, sorry!' he tells Deena. Hanan’s platform represents a new wave of fashion commentary on social media, but what sets him apart is his sharp humor and distinct voice, which have attracted a dedicated following among fashion enthusiasts. In this episode, Hanan and Deena dive into the highs and lows of Fashion Month, Hanan's roots, his journey into fashion, and much more.


    For feedback or suggestions, reach out to us at [email protected]. Keep it chic ✨


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    58 min
  • The Art and Evolution of Fashion Photography with Albert Watson
    At the end of our Deenathe1st.com interview with legendary photographer Albert Watson OBE, he mentioned that he would like to be asked about the position of art in photography and we had to follow it up with a podcast episode on Firsts by Deena! Hundreds of magazine covers, a Grammy on his shelf, the most popular portraits of Alfred Hitchcock, Steve Jobs, among others, and a career focused on the play of light, graphics, and film, Albert’s genius cannot be taken lightly. In this episode, Deena and Albert exchange thoughts on the role of AI in photography, the evolution of photography, and above all the art of photography. Here’s episode 10 of Firsts for you! 

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    46 min
  • The Power of Narrative with Ahmad Swaid
    A supremely creative, endlessly curious individual—that’s how we would describe Ahmad Swaid. It’s high praise but well-deserved for the new founding Editor in Chief of Dazed Middle East. Born in London to parents from Sierra Leone and Lebanon, Ahmad grew up traversing these spaces that informed his identity. Through these formative experiences, he learned that all he wanted to do was tell stories, to collaborate, and craft powerful narratives championing voices we don’t often hear from. His journey to this point is nothing short of incredible! This episode is moving, it’s honest, as Deena and Ahmad open up a conversation on the evolution of editorial in the Arab world; and why now, more than ever,we’re seeing platforms that are in service of telling stories that have often laid hidden over the years.  

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    45 min
  • Fashion History 101 with Valerie Steele

    What do the clothes we wear reveal about us? More importantly, how do cultural shifts influence design and the way we dress? And how does this continue to evolve over time? At Deena the 1st, we love covering fashion history, and we had the privilege of diving deep into this topic with one of the leading voices in fashion studies, Valerie Steele. As the Director and Chief Curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Valerie has, since 1997, co-authored over a dozen books and curated more than 25 exhibitions. In celebration of the 2024 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion at FIT, co-chaired by Deena, we're thrilled to share this episode with you. Join us as we explore Valerie's journey, the most brilliant fashion exhibitions of recent decades, the psychoanalysis of fashion, and so much more.


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    42 min
  • The Rise of Saudi Art and Heritage on the Global Stage
    For the very first time, a panel has come together on the podcast to speak on a subject that needed to be discussed: why art from Saudi Arabia is now in the spotlight. This is on the back of Hafla by Sotheby's, an ongoing exhibition celebrating art from the Middle East. On the panel we have Ashkan Baghestani, the Head of Contemporary Day Sales at Sotheby’s and Princess Nourah Al Faisal, the founder of Nuun Jewels and the CEO of Art of Heritage, a Saudi luxury fashion house. The panel explores the cultural richness and historical depth of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting traditional crafts. Additionally, Princess Nourah shares insights on her jewelry design journey with Nuun Jewels and collaborations with Asprey, while Adhlal—the consultancy she founded—aims to nurture future Saudi designers. The episode delves into the challenges and potentials of the Middle Eastern art market, advocating for broader exposure and appreciation of the region's artistic heritage.

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    39 min
  • Magazines, Media, and Manhattan with Dana Brown

    Magazines have declined, and while the digital world offers up more content than we can consume, we've lost the editors who were the tastemakers of our cultural zeitgeist. Dana Brown is the author of Dilettante, a memoir that takes the reader back to the golden era of magazines and publishing in its epicenter: New York City. But the book also tells you Dana’s story - a barback who got noticed by the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and then spent over two decades at the publication. We’re so excited to share this next episode of Firsts with you that will educate you or take you back to 90s New York, open up a conversation on the power of writing, and above all will include candid tales from the heyday of the print world. 


    Follow the show to stay updated - there’s never a dull moment on Firsts by Deena! 


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    45 min
  • The Enduring Legacy of Elsa Peretti
    A rebel. An artist. A maverick. Elsa Peretti created jewelry inspired by the world around her and this is only part of her legacy. Elsa inspired a style of jewelry that is classic and timeless, with pieces that have held resonance across generations. Collaborations with designers such as Halston, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo, and most successfully with Tiffany placed Elsa’s work on the map globally. But under her iconic pieces — the bone cuff, the vase necklace, and Diamonds by the Yard — lies a woman who created with authenticity that reverberated through her work. In this episode, Deena pays homage to Elsa by tracing her origins, discussing her creative process, and sharing her thoughts on what made Elsa a force to reckon with.

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    9 min

About Firsts by Deena

From the publisher's feed

For the love of fashion's origins and pop-culture moments that have shaped the world. From how we think to how one dresses and views art and self expression; Firsts is a podcast series unlike any…