Emirati content creator, influencer, photographer, visual artist and filmmaker Mohammed Alahbabi is one of the faces of Calvin Klein’s newest campaign dedicated to celebrating the GCC’s local creative community shot in Dubai, UAE.
The campaign, rooted in pushing boundaries and personal stories, also chose Saudi fashion and beauty influencer Hala Abdullah and Palestinian-Syrian model and filmmaker Lana Albeik for the campaign, three voices who are ever-rising in the region’s thriving creative scene, all styled in the newest collection from Calvin Klein Jeans.
To learn more about the enigmatic Alahbabi, Esquire Middle East sat down with the multi-disciplinary creative to learn about his relationship with art, his thoughts on the UAE scene, and, of course, Calvin Klein.
Esquire Middle East sits down with Mohammed Alahbabi
What’s you’re relationship like with art these days?
I started drawing and painting during the pandemic. Before, I used to only like filmmaking, but in lockdown I wanted to express myself in different ways. I would sit down at a plain canvas with no plan, and ask myself, what am I going to draw? What am I going to paint? I just let the rush do its thing. And day by day, I saw that there was a specific style emerging—there were no harsh lines, it was all curves as I moved the brush along. I continued on with this since then, and it’s become an important way for me to express my feelings, because I don’t talk much. I’m a very calm, relaxed person.
How did you start off with photography?
I started back in Uni. I studied filmmaking too, but I stopped a long time ago with it. But I still do help my friend with, with their with their projects, because it takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort.
What’s your photographic style?
I envision myself in a natural space, and I tend to not do things on the basic, usual sets. If I do use a place that people are already set for people to take pictures in, I explore the area and find a different way to see things.
I like to be different—capture things that are not harmful to the eye. I want things to be natural, pleasing.
Do you find your filmmaking background helps in content creation?
I do put it in my content. You can tell with the small videos and the pics, there’s effort there, from a guy that used to like filmmaking and stuff.
What strikes you about the Calvin Klein brand?
They match my artistic mentality. It all feels very organic, from their campaigns and products, and the way they approach people. It’s very organic. And even the way I saw them work on this project, was the way that I expected them to work. Like, it’s very chill.
This campaign is all about supporting the creative scene here in the region. What excites you about how that scene has developed here?
I’m super happy that there’s this kind of recognition right now. In this region, I’ve seen a lot of multiple talents recently, from music to art, to fashion, find huge success. It’s a really nice thing. You have to be proud of it. I’ve seen multiple people that I wished would someday find the recognition the deserve finally finding it. It’s great to see.
What do you want to see from Calvin Klein in the future?
They’re already on their way. The next step is capturing different talents, and continuing this path forward.
Find more on Calvin Klein here.
Photography by Alexandra Leese