Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz is a woman of many worlds. Born in Santa Barbara, with a life that has spun across the cosmopolitan axis of Riyadh, Paris, and New York—where she currently calls home—Abdulaziz embodies a blend of East and West that informs her every move in the luxury fashion industry. The co-founder of D’NA, a Riyadh-based concept store, she is a key player in the luxury fashion landscape. By 2006, her eye for emerging talent and her knack for bridging the cultural chasm between Western and Middle Eastern consumers made her a trusted buyer. The success of the Riyadh store paved the way for the Doha branch, establishing D’NA as a gateway for fresh fashion voices into the Arabian Gulf.
Her influence peaked in 2016 when she became the founding editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia, a post she held until 2017. Today, the 48-year-old continues to refine her craft, scouring global showrooms and studios, meticulously preparing for what promises to be her magnum opus: Her very first podcast titled “First by Deena.”
In this endeavor, she delves into the fashion origins and pop-culture moments that have sculpted the world we live in. The podcast aims to expand listeners’ knowledge, catering to fashion aficionados and experts alike. As a seasoned buyer and curator, Abdulaziz boldly engages in against-the-grain conversations on fashion, art, and culture with an array of special guests.
In the inaugural episode, the entrepreneur is joined by her daughter Maya, as they explore the evolution of fashion, posing the thought-provoking question: How does fashion represent the zeitgeist? The mother-daughter duo offer different generational perspectives, discussing influential personalities from the 80s and 90s, and examining how fashion mirrors the times.
The second episode sees Abdulaziz in conversation with Beka Gvishiani, the creative force behind Style Not Com. Their intimate discussion covers pivotal fashion moments, such as the genius of John Galliano and the perennial excitement and fatigue of Fashion Week.
