Amira Al-Zuhair, a Saudi model who is 21 years old, has had a breakout year. She made international headlines by walking the runway for some of the world’s most renowned couturiers at the Paris Haute Couture Week last month, including Lebanese designers Georges Hobeika and Giorgio Armani. She received her first-class honors bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from King’s College, London, a few weeks earlier.
Al-Zuhair, who was just 15 years old, signed with the prestigious Elite Model Management agency. “I was spotted by an ex-Elite agent while having lunch with my family in a Parisian restaurant. He advised me to visit the agency and said they would like me. Al-Zuhair, “So I went, and within ten minutes I got a contract, which was pretty surreal.” But she didn’t start working full-time as a model until 18. Instead, she was slowly introduced to the industry through editorials and test shoots.
She elaborates, “School and my education have been top priorities.” I was a member of the UK’s Youth Parliament, represented my school in national math competitions, and have always been a bit of a nerd. Then I concentrated on earning my degree. I still want to become a lawyer today.
Al-Zuhair was brought into the world in Paris by a French mother and a Saudi dad. However, she was brought up in London (“My father wanted me to follow in his footsteps and graduate from a UK university”) Al-Zuhair has a strong cultural and emotional connection to the Kingdom because the family traveled frequently between the UK and Riyadh. Al-Zuhair says she was raised with “traditional values” and that her religion is very important to her, despite the fact that she spent her childhood in Europe. She was clear about what she would or would not be prepared to do as a model from the beginning.
Al-Zuhair has collaborated on advertising campaigns and editorials with Tiffany & Co., Burberry, and Carolina Herrera, among other well-known brands in the industry. She got her first Vogue Arabia cover in 2020, which got a lot of praise. One of her big achievements as well, was catwalking in Paris Haute Couture week. Al-Zuhair had a great time at Paris Haute Couture Week if you don’t count the time a biker tried to steal her vintage purse. She was also a part of the monumental show that Dolce & Gabbana held in Sicily the same month to celebrate 10 years of its Alta Moda line. On the runway in Siracusa’s historic Piazza Duomo, she was a stunning sight in a black habit and dress with sheer panels.
It wasn’t easy to keep up a full-time university course and a demanding modeling career. Finding a balance was one of the most challenging aspects because every second counts, it takes a lot of discipline and good time management. I had to study, exercise, eat, attend school, and visit my family every day. There were insufficient hours. When I went to Milan for work once, I was in five different cities and four countries in 48 hours.
However, Al-Zuhair does not appear to be slowing down. It is evident that her modeling career is on a steep upward trajectory, with labels and brands clamoring to collaborate with her. She has already applied to universities to continue her education. It appears to be that she’ll snatch whatever number of open doors as could be expected under the circumstances.
