Prada Appoints Saint Levant, Highlighting Palestinian Identity in Fashion
00:00
00:00
- Saint Levant has been named Prada’s newest brand ambassador, becoming the first Palestinian-born figure to represent the Italian luxury fashion house.
- The appointment underscores his rising global influence and highlights the growing intersection of fashion, identity, and cultural expression on the international stage.
- His appearance at Prada’s Milan show, including symbolic styling choices, has drawn widespread attention and support online from fans of both music and fashion.
Jakarta – Saint Levant has been appointed as Prada’s newest brand ambassador, marking a historic milestone as the first ambassador for the Italian luxury house born in Palestine.
The 25-year-old artist, whose real name is Marwan Abdelhamid, was born on October 6, 2000, in Jerusalem to a Palestinian-Serbian father and an Algerian-French mother. He has gained recognition for his distinctive musical style, blending Arabic, English, and French in his work.
The announcement came shortly after Saint Levant attended Prada’s Spring/Summer 2027 menswear show in Milan, where he was seated in the front row.
On Thursday (June 25, 2026), Prada officially confirmed his appointment through an Instagram post. “Prada ambassador Saint Levant attends the Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2027 fashion show in Milan at the Deposito of Fondazione Prada,” the brand wrote in its caption.
In the post, Saint Levant was seen wearing a pendant shaped like the map of Palestine. The design reflects the territory’s borders prior to the 1948 Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homeland.
Fashion writer and commentator Ruqaiya Haris described the accessory as carrying strong symbolic significance. She noted that Prada’s decision to feature such imagery represents a celebration of cultural heritage, national identity, and the enduring connection of the Palestinian diaspora to their homeland.
“Nothing in fashion happens by accident. Every detail is carefully curated,” Haris said, as quoted by The New Arab on Monday (June 29).
Haris also praised Prada’s willingness to proceed with the campaign despite the potential for backlash from pro-Israel groups. She pointed out that Prada is not listed among brands targeted by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
“I am also aware that Prada is one of the few major fashion houses not included in the BDS boycott list,” she added.
The announcement received widespread support online, with thousands of users flooding the comments section with messages of solidarity.
“Prada is on the right side of history,” one user wrote, while others expressed admiration for the move.
Singer Nora Fatehi also showed her support for Saint Levant’s appointment.
Saint Levant has long been outspoken about his Palestinian identity and his childhood memories of Gaza. Since the escalation of violence in October 2023, he has actively used his platform to call for a ceasefire, an end to occupation, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Earlier this year, he launched the 2048 Foundation, an initiative aimed at supporting Palestinian creatives. The organization provides funding and mentorship programs for artists and professionals in the creative industry.
According to Saint Levant, the name “2048” serves as a reference to the Nakba, during which more than 700,000 Palestinians were killed or displaced during the establishment of Israel.
He rose to international prominence in 2022 with his viral hit “Very Few Friends.” His appointment also places him alongside other Prada ambassadors, including Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid, who became a global ambassador for Prada Beauty in March, as well as K-pop stars Karina, Sana, ENHYPEN, and actors Maya Hawke, Letitia Wright, Carey Mulligan, Louis Partridge, and Damson Idris.
Indonesianpost.com | Republika
