A DREAM OF ALULA

Famed fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon has released a new book celebrating the diversity of Saudi Arabia’s ancient landscape

Acclaimed photographer Gilles Bensimon has released A Dream of AlUla – a 215page oversized book of original photography that brings to life an 8,000-year-old landscape. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, the book reveals the diversity of this mythical land and little-known geographical wonder.

It’s being pitched as “an expedition through time”, captured through the lens of Bensimon.

The American photographer, who was formerly the International Creative Director of Elle Magazine and has worked with models and celebrities including Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Madonna and Elle Macpherson, says: “I will not begin to describe, or even attempt to tell the story of my journey in AlUla. I can only hope that my photographs might open the door to a new dream in your mind: the dream of meeting AlUla.”

Published by Rizzoli New York and featuring a foreword by French art historian Diana W. Picasso, A Dream of AlUla retails at US$300 (rizzoliusa.com).

1

4

6 2

7

5 3

8

1. Pre-Arabic inscriptions found at Jabal Ikmah 2. The oasis of AlUla 3. UNESCO Heritage Site Hegra at night 4. AlUla was home to ancient civilisations 5. Local Saudi Arabian men and camels in the AlUla desert 6. Red sandstone natural formations and Jabal Alfil (Elephant Rock) 7. Gilles Bensimon captures AlUla from a new perspective 8. Nabatean rock formations