Some months reflect time, while others invite change. September has always felt like both: a quiet turning of the page, where something lingers from the warmth of summer, but something deeper begins to stir ahead.

This particular September is, for me, more than a page. It’s the first chapter of something entirely new, my first issue as Editor-in-Chief of MADAME Arabia. It’s a milestone that coincides, quite poetically, with my birthday.

And as birthdays often do, this one has made me pause and reflect – on the power of timing, the beauty of change, and the quiet thrill of new beginnings. Beginning again does not mean starting over. It means arriving with experience, with intention, and, most importantly, with a new vision.

I come to MADAME Arabia grounded by the lessons my past years have taught me – that commitment is everything, and no effort, no late night, no rewritten sentence, no unseen compromise, and no uncelebrated win ever goes to waste. That discipline carries us through. That every day holds the possibility of a new beginning. And that it is not only okay to challenge yourself, it is essential. 

Growth rarely happens in comfort. Change, when rooted in purpose, isn’t something to fear. It’s something to embrace. It’s how we evolve, not away from who we are, but closer to who we’re meant to become.

But perhaps, most important of all, I’ve learned the value of finding your circle, your people. The ones who challenge you, support you, remind you why you started in the first place, and push you to evolve.

Monica Bellucci, our cover muse, said it beautifully in her conversation with us: “I need a role to give me the opportunity to evolve… It has to be challenging.” That speaks not just to artistry, but to life itself. Evolution rarely announces itself. It asks only that we remain open to the unfamiliar.

What’s remarkable about Bellucci is not just how she reinvents herself, but how effortlessly she does so, with grace, instinct, and an unwavering sense of self. Her journey reminds us that true renewal doesn’t require reinvention in the loud sense. It happens quietly and naturally, when we live in alignment with who we are and who we’re becoming.

This issue is about that kind of natural evolution, the kind that’s bold, intentional, and unmistakably forward-moving. From Monica Bellucci’s unscripted elegance to fashion that’s both timeless and bold, we spotlight voices shaping the future of our region. You’ll meet women like Tara Gedeon, Managing Director of Gedeon Group, redefining fashion while honouring legacy, and Kimberley McMahon, CEO of Wonderwall Fine Arts, reimagining the UAE’s art scene with emotional precision.

We also unpack what modern empowerment really looks like, from the rise of female financial independence to the regional creatives rewriting the rules of fashion week. There’s a look at how AI is reshaping luxury, and of course, a much-needed post-summer beauty reset – what works, what’s worth it, and what’s next.

As we turn the page into a new season, and I ease into this new role, I’m reminded that meaningful change doesn’t always happen all at once. It can be shaped by the choices we make every day.

Joining Madame Arabia feels both natural and deeply personal. This is a platform that reflects the values I believe in – depth, purpose, and creativity. It’s a space that feels like home.

My hope is that this issue meets you wherever you are on that journey, whether you’re in the midst of transformation or simply contemplating your next step.

May it remind you that it’s never too late to grow, to shift, to begin again at your own pace.

Welcome to the new season of MADAME Arabia.

I’m so grateful to be here, and to have you here with me.