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From Blue to Glory.

BADLÉ STORIES: Beyond Exile by Saint Levant

BADLÉ STORIES is an ongoing short cinematic series that explores Arab cultural narratives and identities through the creative industries.

In the first edition of BADLÉ STORIES, BADLÉ expands Saint Levant’s EXILE, written and directed by Lyna Zerrouki, through a cinematic series by Haya Muasher, BADLÉ’s founder and creative-business lead. Highlighting the Arab creatives behind the project, the series deepens its visual and lyrical narrative, elevating EXILE into a lasting cultural moment.

EXILE, a music video by Saint Levant, is a visual story of longing, pain, and the beauty that emerges from resilience. It is a journey of transforming pain into something glorious and meaningful.

Set in a world of blue, EXILE evokes isolation and the ache of being away from home. Malika El Maslouhi portrays a mysterious woman, yearning for home and love, distant yet alive through art. Rain, like tears of exile, frames Saint Levant and an orchestra, merging contemporary opera with high-fashion artistry.

Watch Saint Levant’s music video EXILE by

Behind the Scenes with Rahim Rabia

MANIFESTING SAINT LEVANT

Step into Marwan’s world as he shares his manifestations, his iconic mustache, and the people and experiences that ground him in his artistry as Saint Levant.

To watch the full Behind the Scenes,

Photos by Anis Belarbi

Anis Belarbi, a French-Algerian photographer, grew up between Paris and Algeria, a journey that shaped his introspection and resilience. Initially studying physics and astrophysics at La Sorbonne, his passion for exploration led him to photography as a way to document his travels and satisfy his curiosity about the fashion industry.

In 2013, before it became trendy, Anis picked up a film camera. It was a cheaper alternative, and the restriction of taking only a certain number of photos made him more focused on capturing something truly special. His breakthrough came when he photographed Virgil Abloh, and later, Bella Hadid, who shared his work. “From there, it all started,” he recalls.

Anis initially focused on party photography, but his love for the outdoors and high-altitude adventures led him to combine these passions with his craft. “I’ve always been drawn to the heights, both physically and metaphorically,” he reflects. “I think I’m where I am because I didn’t try to calculate who I was going to shoot. I just let things happen naturally,” he says.

This organic approach has allowed Anis to work with people he truly connects with, especially within the Arab and Algerian communities. “In 2017, I remember thinking, can we really get paid for this? I didn’t know, it was just something I loved.” Photography, for him, is a way to see the world, meet incredible people, and share his heritage.