Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala

Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala
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(L-R) Razane Jammal, Fatima Al-Banawi, Sara Ali Khan, Mohammed Al-Turki, Simone Marchetti, Tara Emad, Mila Al-Zahrani and Jade Osiberu attend the Red Sea International Film Festival’s ‘Women’s Stories Gala’ in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe . (Getty Images)
Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala
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Alessandra Ambrosio at the gala. (Ammar Abd Rabbo/Arab News)
Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala
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Fan Bingbing at the gala. (Ammar Abd Rabbo/Arab News)
Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala
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Eva Herzigova at the gala. (Ammar Abd Rabbo/Arab News)
Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala
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Hend Sabri at the gala. (Ammar Abd Rabbo/Arab News)
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Updated 21 May 2023
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Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala

Arab stars celebrate women at Red Sea Film Festival and Vanity Fair’s Cannes gala

CANNES: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival and Vanity Fair on Thursday hosted a “women’s stories gala after party” during the Cannes Film Festival to celebrate female talent in the region. 

The star-studded event was attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, Katie Holmes, Maiwenn, The Weeknd, Gaspar Noe, Storm Reid, Tobey Maguire, Gurinder Chadha, Fan Bingbing, Freida Pinto, Simone Marchetti, Eva Herzigova, Naomi Campbell and more. 




Naomi Campbell at the gala. (Ammar Abd Rabbo/Arab News)

The event, held at the famed Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, honored six stars from the region: Saudi actresses Mila Al-Zahrani and Fatima Al-Banawi, Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, Indian star Sarah Ali Khan, Egyptian-Montenegrin actress and model Tara Emad and Nigerian filmmaker Jade Osiberu. 

In an interview with Arab News, Emad said: “I am very proud of myself, of each and every women here that is an honoree. I am proud of our industry, of Egypt (and) of the Arab world. I am glad to be able to represent Egypt and the Arab word in general. 

“I am happy to be able to see the representation that I always sought to see as a young girl,” she said. “I hope that the six of us can be that representation to all the girls and all the women in the Arab region that seek to see themselves in the spotlight in any career that they choose.”

Khan believes it was a “privilege” to be part of the event. “I think if I had to identify myself in three words it would probably be: Indian, woman (and) actor. And I am here to celebrate all three today,” she said. 

To Al-Banawi, moments like these are no longer a surprise. 

 

 

“I reached to a point where I am really not surprised because Saudi Arabia is trying to prove that we are creating stories that are inspiring, magical and that push for change and development,” she said. “I am very happy that we are here in Cannes Film Festival, celebrating each other and  celebrating with each other.

“I feel like the narrative we represented in the light that was always on us was a very specific one and I don’t think women were part of it. I think it was written by others,” she said. “Today, I am celebrating women that are writing, that are creating and challenging and honoring themselves and other fellow women.

“I think it takes so much courage to tell one story, let alone if there was so many stories that were shaping you in a specific discourse or a specific channel or a specific light. It takes more courage to unleash, to unfold new possibilities and new opportunities. I always remind myself to be OK with taking up space, with speaking my opinion, with addressing what I feel could be wrong or should be changed,” Al-Banawi said. 

 

 

Jammal said that she never differentiated between a man and a woman. 

“Maybe because I lived in a little bubble because I was raised by a man that empowered me and told me that there was no difference between me and my brother. So maybe I never grew up feeling that being a woman is a challenge. If anything, I felt like it was a superpower,” she said. 

But when she joined the workforce, she realized that women faced challenges. 

 

 

“I am learning now as I am more exposed to a wider audience, and depending on their reactions I can learn about them more,” she said. “As a woman, I am really happy to be representing a person who chased her dreams, who is self-made, who is independent, and I am just trying to do my best and I am just really happy that the best is just working for me right now.”

Portugese model Sara Sampaio, who also attended, said that being part of the women’s stories gala was “so special.” 

“Women are amazing, and for the longest time we didn’t have stories told by our point of views. It’s very important,” she said. 

Mohammed Al-Turki, CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival, told Arab News: “We are very happy to be celebrating women. We are very proud that we can share stories from our region. Today, we are highlighting six females from our region: two from Saudi — Mila Zahran and Fatima Al-Banawi — from Egypt Tara Emad, from Lebanon Razane Jammal, from Nigeria Jade and from India Sara Ali Khan.

“It is quite an interesting mix and for us to be able to showcase these talents to the world, to be in a room tonight with the likes of Katie Holmes and more, is a big incredible moment for us,” he said. 

 

 

“I think the dream has come true. I never thought a Saudi co-production would open Cannes with a female director of Algerian descent,” he said. “So it is an indicator that we are going. And if this is just three years of Red Sea, I think we should just fasten our seatbelt and go for a ride because we are going to see incredible things moving forward.”

This year, Cannes Film Festival opened with the screening of Johnny Depp’s “Jeanne du Barry,” which was backed by the Red Sea International Film Festival. 


‘The Last of Us’ voice actor Troy Baker to attend Middle East Film and Comic Con

‘The Last of Us’ voice actor Troy Baker to attend Middle East Film and Comic Con
Updated 02 October 2023
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‘The Last of Us’ voice actor Troy Baker to attend Middle East Film and Comic Con

‘The Last of Us’ voice actor Troy Baker to attend Middle East Film and Comic Con

DUBAI: Troy Baker, the US voice actor known for his roles in video games like “The Last of Us” as well as the “Batman” games, has been announced as the first headlining guest at the 2024 Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi, set to take place from Feb. 9 -11. 

The prolific voice actor, most famous for portraying Joel Miller in “The Last of Us” franchise, which is now a popular HBO live-action series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, has also featured in games including “Uncharted 4y,” “BioShock Infinite,” ‘Persona 4” and “Final Fantasy XIII.”  

Baker has also voiced Batman, Joker, Hawkeye, and Loki in various media, and has provided voices for a number of English dubs of anime, including “Bleach,” “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” 
Naruto: Shippuden,” “Code Geass” and “Soul Eater.”  

Early bird tickets to the annual pop culture celebration are now available to purchase on the event’s website. 


Yara Shahidi jets to Paris for ‘bittersweet goodbye’ at Alexander McQueen show

Yara Shahidi jets to Paris for ‘bittersweet goodbye’ at Alexander McQueen show
Updated 02 October 2023
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Yara Shahidi jets to Paris for ‘bittersweet goodbye’ at Alexander McQueen show

Yara Shahidi jets to Paris for ‘bittersweet goodbye’ at Alexander McQueen show

DUBAI: Part-Middle Eastern actress Yara Shahidi was on hand as designer Sarah Burton presented her final collection as the creative head of Alexander McQueen in a Paris Fashion Week show attended by the who’s who of Hollywood.  

“Bittersweet Goodbye @alexandermcqueen. I’m grateful to have witnessed (and worn) Sarah Burton’s magic on the McQueen runway … until her next adventure,” Shahidi, whose father is Iranian, posted on Instagram on Sunday.  

Burton, with a profound respect for legacy and an unmistakable innovative touch, presented her magnum opus for Alexander McQueen Saturday night, the Associated Press reported.  

Her task had always been titanic – to step into shoes left empty by the enigmatic genius of Lee Alexander McQueen. The fashion maestro’s unexpected departure wasn’t just a personal loss; it marked the end of an era of theatrical, emotion-laden masterpieces. But Burton, rather than just filling a void, lit it up. She wielded her tapestry of design, interweaving McQueen’s audacious spirit with her softer, more feminine aesthetic. This dance of duality was evident in her farewell collection, where each piece told its story. The slashed bodices, the evocative blood-red laced spines, and the influence of Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz’s work showcased an artistry that was both fierce and tender. 

No detail was left untouched. From the profound artistry of British royal Kate Middleton’s wedding gown — a garment that transcended expectations — to her final collection’s poignant motifs, Burton proved her mettle time and again. The iconic rose, emblematic open-heart embroidery, and the magnetic close by Naomi Campbell in a sculpted silver bugle bead dress, all converged in a collection that was both homage and evolution.

And as the last piece sashayed down the runway, the room — filled with powerful editors and actresses like Cate Blanchett and Elle Fanning — rose in a rousing standing ovation. 

For her part, Shahidi showed off a red, sculptured dress from the new collection as she sat on the front row. According to the label, Burton’s “McQueen Anatomy II” collection was inspired by female anatomy, Queen Elizabeth I, the concept of the blood rose and the work of Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz. 


Lebanese label Elie Saab shows Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week

Lebanese label Elie Saab shows Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week
Updated 02 October 2023
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Lebanese label Elie Saab shows Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week

Lebanese label Elie Saab shows Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week

DUBAI: Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair had all eyes on her as she walked the runway for famed Lebanese designer Elie Saab as he showcased the label’s Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week on Saturday.

The model showcased two unique-but-breezy looks on the runway for the collection titled ‘Moonlight Shadow.’

In the show notes, the label described the Elie Saab woman as, “always ready for moonlight gatherings in radiant day looks that bring blissful glimmers to the evening.”

“Flowing open-back summer dresses with scalloped hemlines are garden-fresh in oversized white English lace. Wisps of citrus organza flowers flourish from the monochromatic hemlines of billowing silk bomber jackets. Chunky tromp-l’oeil sapphires, rubies and platinum chains trace a white kaftan with a sleek cape,” it continued.

“Of course, the party is never complete without raffia leather platforms, mini top-handle bags and extravagant gemstone jewellery.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

Previously, Al-Zuhair also hit the runway for Japanese-helmed label Yohji Yamamoto and French jewelry brand Messika at Paris Fashion Week, just days after she walked for French label Balmain.

Japanese fashion designer Yamamoto, who is based in Tokyo and Paris, sent models down the runway in an assortment of all-black looks as part of the labels Spring/Summer 2024 collection.

Earlier in the week, Al-Zuhair opened the Balmain show during Paris Fashion Week. 

The rising star, who was born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, wore a white polka dot jumpsuit with colorful three-dimensional flower designs around the chest.  

When Gertrude Stein, a close confidant of house founder Pierre Balmain, penned “a rose is a rose is a rose,” she likely never envisaged its metamorphosis into a Paris runway’s guiding theme. Yet, designer Olivier Rousteing, embracing this iconic friendship, orchestrated a floral ode for Balmain’s Spring 2024 show. 

Rousteing channeled the essence of Balmain’s couture from the late 1940s and early 1950s, celebrating Balmain’s architectural wizardry. With every fold, cut and stitch, he echoed the legacy of the maison, fused with his own brazen touch. Sprinklings of the petit pois (polka dot), a staple from Monsieur Balmain’s era, added whimsy amid the blossoming rose narrative. 


Rami Al-Ali is first Syrian designer to be recognized by Business of Fashion list

Rami Al-Ali is first Syrian designer to be recognized by Business of Fashion list
Updated 01 October 2023
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Rami Al-Ali is first Syrian designer to be recognized by Business of Fashion list

Rami Al-Ali is first Syrian designer to be recognized by Business of Fashion list

DUBAI: Middle Eastern designer Rami Al-Ali has become the first Syrian fashion designer to be included in the BoF 500 list, the Business of Fashion’s index of the people shaping the fashion industry.

“Privileged to be included in #BOF500 2023, thank you @imranamed for your trust and your vision,” posted Al-Ali on Instagram, acknowledging Imran Amed, the founder and CEO of BoF.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rami Al Ali (@r_al_ali)

While Al-Ali has had a loyal celebrity and royal following in the Middle East for years, more recently he has dressed global stars including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell.

Al-Ali has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young designers through mentorship programs with the Esmod Fashion Institute in Dubai and the Dubai Design and Fashion Council. He is the founder of Ard Dyar, an initiative dedicated to empowering upcoming Syrian talents by connecting them with accomplished leaders in the industry.


Amira Al-Zuhair walks for Yohji Yamamoto at Paris Fashion Week

Amira Al-Zuhair walks for Yohji Yamamoto at Paris Fashion Week
Updated 30 September 2023
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Amira Al-Zuhair walks for Yohji Yamamoto at Paris Fashion Week

Amira Al-Zuhair walks for Yohji Yamamoto at Paris Fashion Week

DUBAI: Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair hit the runway for Japanese-helmed label Yohji Yamamoto and French jewelry brand Messika at Paris Fashion Week, just days after she walked for French label Balmain.

Japanese fashion designer Yamamoto, who is based in Tokyo and Paris, sent models down the runway in an assortment of all-black looks as part of the labels Spring/Summer 2024 collection.

Earlier in the week, Al-Zuhair opened the Balmain show during Paris Fashion Week. 

The rising star, who was born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, wore a white polka dot jumpsuit with colorful three-dimensional flower designs around the chest.  

When Gertrude Stein, a close confidant of house founder Pierre Balmain, penned “a rose is a rose is a rose,” she likely never envisaged its metamorphosis into a Paris runway’s guiding theme. Yet, designer Olivier Rousteing, embracing this iconic friendship, orchestrated a floral ode for Balmain’s Spring 2024 show. 

Rousteing channeled the essence of Balmain’s couture from the late 1940s and early 1950s, celebrating Balmain’s architectural wizardry. With every fold, cut and stitch, he echoed the legacy of the maison, fused with his own brazen touch. Sprinklings of the petit pois (polka dot), a staple from Monsieur Balmain’s era, added whimsy amid the blossoming rose narrative.