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 other that will raise the IQ of fashion aficionados and experts respectively. Seasoned buyer and curator, Deena Abdulaziz boldly raises against-the-grain conversations on fashion, art, and culture with special guests. These educational and effervescent conversations deliver new meaning about the most iconic and prominent creations at the zeitgeist of culture.
Reach out to us at info@deenathe1st.com for feedback or suggestions!
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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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20 Dec 2024
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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15 Nov 2024
Finding Your DNA As A Designer with Mary Katrantzou
Fashion designer Mary Katrantzou shares her journey from architecture to becoming the Creative Director of Bulgari Leather Goods and Accessories, and how she discovered her unique creative DNA.
26 Oct 2024
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 (https://www.instagram.com/ideservecouture/?hl=en), 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 info@deenathe1st.com (mailto:info@deenathe1st.com). Keep it chic ✨
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3 Oct 2024
The Art and Evolution of Fashion Photography with Albert Watson
At the end of our Deenathe1st.com (https://www.deenathe1st.com/d1-editorial/article/d1-fashion-thoughts-albert-watson-interview) 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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19 Sept 2024
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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4 Sept 2024
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.
Follow or subscribe to stay updated!
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21 Aug 2024
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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8 Aug 2024
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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25 Jul 2024
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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11 Jul 2024
Confluence with Sultan Al Darmaki
In this episode, Deena is joined by her friend and groundbreaking designer, Sultan Al Darmaki. He is the first contemporary Middle Eastern designer to have his work displayed at the V&A Museum in London. In this episode, Sultan and Deena begin by discussing how Sultan paved his path in the world of fashion and then they speak to the rich, yet lesser-known history of Middle Eastern fashion. The episode explores the challenges faced by both as outsiders in the fashion industry, and how Sultan is now dedicated to increasing accessibility and opportunities for emerging talent through 1833 Club.
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27 Jun 2024
From Runway to Red Carpet
In this episode, Deena delves into the crossroads of fashion and the Red Carpet. Exploring the shift from spontaneous elegance to calculated stylization, she recalls the pioneering Giorgio Armani Oscars moments from the 80s which redefined the interaction between fashion and Hollywood. Reflecting on Versace's imprint on the Red Carpet, Deena highlights iconic instances such as Elizabeth Hurley's safety pin dress and Jennifer Lopez's jungle-print dress which inspired the creation of Google Images. Looking back at these moments, Deena boldly raises the question: has today’s meticulous styling dimmed the once-spontaneous allure of the red carpet? This episode will leave you thinking about the interplay of authenticity, branding, and beauty in today's world of celebrity couture.
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13 Jun 2024
For the Love of Fashion with Style Not Com
Beka Gvishiani, the creative force behind Style Not Com, (https://www.instagram.com/stylenotcom/?hl=en) has revolutionized fashion commentary with his distinctive cobalt blue posts and all-caps copy. His Instagram account, a treasure trove of insights, offers front-row news and commentary that few can access. In this episode of "Firsts by Deena," Beka and Deena reconnect, having first met backstage at a fashion show. Both outsiders, in a way, who fell in love with fashion through glossy magazine pages, they share a unique perspective on the industry. They delve into the magic of John Galliano (2:26), the excitement (and sometimes fatigue) of Fashion Week (22:09), and Beka’s journey in growing Style Not Com (27:02). You don’t want to miss this one!
Read more features with Style Not Com on Deenathe1st.com. (https://www.deenathe1st.com/)
Show Notes:
Maison Margiela Artisanal Collection 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgMJq67ZOwE)
Style Not Com's Fashion in 2003 Collection (https://shop.system-magazine.com/style-not-com/)
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13 Jun 2024
Evolution with Maya
What does the evolution of fashion look like? And how does fashion represent the zeitgeist? In this episode, Deena is joined by her daughter Maya to discuss the evolving nature of fashion. With their two different generational perspectives, they discuss influential personalities from the '80s and '90s, exploring their unique style and impact on fashion. From Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's effortless elegance (1:16) to Madonna's revolutionary influence (9:45), they dissect how fashion icons of the past have shaped their eras. The conversation further delves into the era of magazines (12:02) and changing role of social media in fashion influence (16:24), the impact of nostalgia on trends (17:54), and how classics manage to endure over time (22:06). Through anecdotes and keen observations, Deena and Maya offer insights into how fashion, culture, and personal style intersect across generations.
Read Deenathe1st.com (https://www.deenathe1st.com/) for more features on the evolution of fashion then and now. Follow or subscribe to the show to stay updated!
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3 Jun 2024
Origins
Step into the world of Deena. Episode 1 coming soon!
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
4.7 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Contact Firsts by Deena
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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