Haya & Sama Abu Khadra: Fashion’s Twin Muses

The Abu Khadra twins have been attracting the attention of curious onlookers ever since they began appearing at the Paris collections a couple of seasons ago. It’s hard to miss the striking pair, with their signature cascade of russet locks, making their way to a show across the Jardin des Tuileries or visiting Coco Chanel’s private apartment at 31 Rue Cambon.

Of Palestinian heritage, 17 year-old Haya and Sama grew up in Dubai and began attending the shows at an early age with their mother, Rula Abu Khadra, who runs The Art of Living fashion store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Today they frequently attend the shows on their own, scouting the collections for new talent to feature in the store.

“We help when our mom doesn’t have the time to come to the shows,” recalled Haya in an interview with WWD, explaining that if a collection wins their seal of approval, their mother will then visit the showroom to place orders.

Their inventive sense of style (mixing labels and vintage finds with offbeat accessories) has earned them the devotion of countless style bloggers. In the last two years alone, they have been featured in a fashion editorial for i-D’s winter 2009 issue, as well as WWD and Harper's Bazaar Arabia. The gorgeous pair have also served as muses to a number of designers. Luisa Beccaria has described them as “a Botticelli painting come to life.” While this past November, Natalie Rykiel invited the twins to model the Sonia Rykiel Spring collection in Dubai.

Whether sitting front row at Chanel’s couture collection or being photographed for Kiehl’s ad campaign, the sisters may be a reminder of the diversity found within the Middle East and that no one particular look defines the region.

Photo on right courtesy of jeansfashionstreetstyle.blogspot.com