Renowned as one of the most prolific and accomplished creatives of our time, Nicola Formichetti, the Japanese-Italian award-winning fashion designer, creative director, stylist, and editor, is recognized for his creations that push boundaries and ignite cultural conversations. From Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress among many other red-carpet moments to boundary-pushing visual campaigns and iconic magazine covers, Formichetti has carved a niche for himself in the world of fashion and beyond. Now, he’s bringing his creative prowess to the Kingdom.
In a move set to redefine the creative landscape, Film AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla’s (RCU) esteemed film agency, has enlisted the former Mugler creative director as a costume mentor for its flagship initiative, AlUla Creates. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the convergence of film and fashion, with Formichetti leading the charge to nurture the first wave of emerging Saudi talent.
Formichetti’s career is adorned with iconic cultural moments, thanks to his groundbreaking work with the enigmatic Lady Gaga and collaborations with global brands like Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo, as well as iconic institutions such as Pepsi, Nike, and MAC. He also extended his creative visions as an editorial director at Vogue Hommes Japan, Dazed & Confused, and V Magazine. Twice named to Business Of Fashion’s BoF 500 list, his work has won international accolades, including the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, Clio award, the Fashion Innovator at Elle Style Awards, and three Hermes awards.
His mentorship extends to designers Alia and Abeer Oraif of Atelier Hekayat and Arwa Al Ammari of ArAm (alumni of The AlUla Creates Initiative), guiding them through their inaugural exploration of costume design. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Formichetti remarked, “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.”
Alongside the winning directors of AlUla Creates’ short films, Hana Alfasi, Maram Taibah, Raneem, and Dana Almohandes, Formichetti is paving the way for a new era of storytelling.
The films, currently in post-production following shoots in AlUla last month, are slated to premiere at film festivals later this year. Formichetti joins a distinguished lineup of mentors on the initiative, including pioneering Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour and leading producers James Richardson and Jane Moore of Vertigo Films.
Charlene Deleon Jones, Executive Director of Film AlUla, expressed her excitement about Formichetti’s involvement, stating, “Nicola has consistently redefined the boundaries of style and culture. His participation will not only enhance the program’s quality but also spark the imagination of our designers and filmmakers, pushing them to new heights.”
AlUla Creates is a year-round initiative that provides opportunities for new women filmmakers and creatives to collaborate with industry professionals and access development funds to share their stories with the world. The program’s first phase debuted alongside the 95th Academy Awards with a focus on fashion, featuring ambassadors Mila Al Zahrani, Helena Christensen, and Eva Herzigova. Together with designers supported by British fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, they showcased their creations at prestigious events like The Oscars Vanity Fair red carpet in Los Angeles and the Cannes Film Festival.
For more information about the AlUla Creates program, please visit https://filming.experiencealula.com/en/alula-creates.
