AlUla Film, the film agency of the Royal Commission for AlUla, has named Nicola Formichetti, a well known artistic director and creative visionary, as the costume mentor for its premier program, AlUla Creates. Formichetti, known for his rich creativity, will mentor new and upcoming Saudi designers, bringing together the worlds of film and fashion.
Formichetti is a trendsetter in the creative world, known for his ability to create memorable experiences that resonate with people. He’s famous for his work with Lady Gaga, designing her unique looks for music videos and red carpets. He’s also collaborated with top fashion brands like Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo, leaving a strong impact with his innovative and creative designs. Besides fashion, he’s worked with brands like Pepsi, Nike, MAC, Barney’s, and H&M, showcasing his diverse talent. He’s also held important roles at Vogue Japan Hommes, Dazed & Confused, and V Magazine.
Formichetti has also worked with various famous people, including Lady Gaga for more than ten years, as well as Nicole Kidman, Bad Bunny, JLO, Gwen Stefani, Lil Nas X, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Nicola Formichetti expressed enthusiasm and excitement about his role as a mentor for Alula Creates, describing it as a thrilling opportunity, saying, “I’m very excited about the role as a mentor for Alula Creates. Collaborating with such talented creatives has been a magical experience. Helping them elevate their concepts and bring their visions to life has been truly inspiring. Looking ahead, Film AlUla is set to reshape the creative landscape, marking an exciting future for storytelling.”
With his mentorship role, Formichetti is helping new designers from The AlUla Creates Initiative, such as Alia and Abeer Oraif of Atelier Hekayat, and Arwa Al Ammari of ArAm, as they learn important details on costume design. Formichetti is also working with the directors of AlUla Creates’ winning short films, such as Hana Alfasi and Maram Taibah. These films were shot in AlUla the previous month and will be presented and played at film festivals soon. In addition, it is important to note that Formichetti is part of a team of mentors that includes Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour and producers James Richardson and Jane Moore from Vertigo Films.
Charlene Deleon Jones, Executive Director of Film AlUla, added: “Nicola has consistently redefined the boundaries of style and culture, and his participation will not only enhance the quality of the programme but will also spark the imagination of our designers and filmmakers, pushing them to new heights. Engaging game-changers like Nicola to invigorate the creativity which AlUla plays host to through this programme is a joy and we are delighted to have him join us.”
‘AlUla Creates’ is an ongoing program that empowers new and upcoming female filmmakers and creatives by connecting them with industry leaders and providing funding for their projects. The initiative launched during the 95th Academy Awards® with a focus on fashion. Ambassadors like Mila Al Zahrani, Helena Christensen, and Eva Herzigova collaborated with designers Alia and Abeer Olaif from Atelier Hekayat, along with Arwa Al Ammari from ArAm, to create custom outfits. With support from British fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, these outfits were showcased on the red carpets of The Oscars® Vanity Fair event in Los Angeles and the Cannes Film Festival. The designers also showcased their work at a special event during London Fashion Week in 2023, in partnership with the British Fashion Council.
AlUla Creates is focused on creating a film-friendly environment through a purpose-built studio and digital creative hub complex. This initiative is in line with the thriving and constantly growing film industry in The Kingdom, supported by AlUla’s financial incentives and support programs. As a result, there has been a notable rise in regional production shoots, showcasing the region’s growing position in filmmaking.
For more information on the program, visit their website.
