Tatler sent its fashion team to the Kuwaiti desert to shoot a spread dedicated to kaftans in the June issue. The 19-page shoot “Kaftan Society” took place less than 30 miles from the Iraqi border and was inspired by Tatler’s new contributing editor Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah – dubbed the “sheikh of chic” by Time magazine.
The sheikh owns a fashion house in Kuwait City and built up his business in the wake of the first Gulf War, during which he had to disguise himself as a baker to avoid being captured by the Iraqis. According to Tatler, he is redefining fashion in the Middle East.
The photographs were shot in Kuwaiti palaces and at the sheikh’s desert camp. Tatler said it was an “historic” event, and described it as “a meeting of British aristocrats and Kuwaiti royalty in a country where it’s quite acceptable to breakfast in pink diamonds”.
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The shoot features a number of designer labels, including a kaftan by Prada costing £2,360.
Tatler editor Geordie Greig said: “The Middle East has dominated our lives for the last few months and when we had the opportunity to go out and do a fashion shoot just 30 miles from the Iraqi border, we thought there could be nothing more exciting.”
He said that the sheikh came on board after being spotted by Tatler fashion director Isabella Blow at the Ritz in Paris.
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By Ruth Addicott
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