Youssra

Youssra in a red Zeena Zaki gown. Photo: Instagram.com/youssra
Egyptian actor Youssra caused quite the stir on social media yesterday, announcing the arrival of a brand new show. Titled Kalam Fi Lhob (translating to ‘talk about love’), the new series will debut on January 31 on MBC 1, was written by Hala Khalil, and produced by El Adl Group.
To share the big news about the fresh series—which also stars Ghada Adel, Mai Kassab, Nour Mahmoud and Nabil Nour El Deen—Youssra posted a mysterious teaser on her Instagram page, in which she shared some hints about Kalam Fi Lhob while she played the piano. The clip saw the iconic star dressed in a striking ensemble: a scarlet red carpet-ready gown by Iraqi haute couture designer Zeena Zaki. Take a closer look below.

Youssra styled her red gown with diamond jewelry
To keep with the romantic theme of her upcoming show, Youssra opted for a blood red Zeena Zaki gown that came with elegant detailing. Along with a trail, the gown also featured an off-shoulder neckline that drew attention to her décolletage, and cinched in at the waist for added structure. The most dramatic element from Youssra’s look, however, were her gloves. The actor paired her scarlet maxi with matching gloves that seemed to extend straight out from her shoulders. To top it up, Youssra complemented her cherry red gown with sparkling diamond jewelry from The House of Yessayan. Her picks: waterfall earrings, a matching choker necklace, and for the final touch, a diamond bracelet and statement ring.

No red carpet-worthy look is complete without the right makeup, and to elevate her look, Youssra went the classic route with her beauty look. The star smiled for the camera sporting elegant blonde curls, a bold red lip color, and winged liner complemented by lush lashes. The overall look was one that wouldn’t look out of place at a star-studded movie premiere.

Hend Sabri. Photo: Amina Zaher
Saudi Arabia‘s historic Al-Balad lit up on the evening of December 6 as some of the world’s biggest stars descended in Jeddah for the Kingdom’s first international film festival. The Red Sea International Film Festival‘s opening night was cause for celebration not only for the Middle East’s proud actors and filmmakers, but also global talents who joined in to spotlight the many achievements of Arab cinema. Showing their support, in attendance were Marvel star Anthony Mackie, English actor Clive Owen, American actor Hilary Swank, and Italian actor Michele Morrone. Internationally-followed models Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, Shanina Shaik, and Sara Sampaio also made glamorous attendees, with some donning Arab designers. While Sampaio and Shaik chose shimmering pieces from Lebanese couturier—and Ball of Arabia 2021 co-chair—Zuhair Murad, Ambrosio opted for a white number by Georges Hobeika with a thigh-high slit.
The Arab world’s stars, of course, made sure to match the energy of the historic ceremony dressed in creations by regional designers. Jury member Hend Sabri championed Saudi talent in a bespoke off-white pleated gown by Honayda. Actors Razane Jammal and Tara Emad opted for flowing silhouettes by Lebanese label Harithand, while couturier Georges Hobeika’s head-turning pieces were worn by Saba Mubarak and Rym Saidi. As for iconic actors Yousra and Lebleba, delicate violet gowns doused in embellishment were the order for the day.
It’s safe to say, however, that saturated hues ruled the red carpet last evening. While Mila Al Zahrani opted for a royal blue tulle number, Mahira Abdelaziz chatted with Vogue Arabia in a draped orange Tony Ward, and Saudi actor Ahd Kamel went the emerald route in Jeddah-based Saudi designer Ruba Bahareth. Among the most interesting looks from the evening was Karen Wazen’s sharp black pantsuit, proof that power dressing never fails.
As the evening progressed, guests were treated to a theatrical dance performance that marked the opening of the 10-day festival at the Red Sea Gala Theatre, and also witnessed an award ceremony, where three inspiring women were honored: Egyptian actress Laila Elwi, who has often been admired for her bold choice of roles, French actress, singer, model, and producer Catherine Deneuve, and Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour, who shared a heartfelt speech. Below, we take you through some of the best red carpet moments from the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Rym Saidi in Georges Hobeika and Chopard. Photo: Amina Zaher
Saba Mubarak in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Amina Zaher
Shanina Shaik in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Amina Zaher
Lebleba. Photo: Amina Zaher
Ahd Kamel in Ruba Bahareth. Photo: Amina Zaher
Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Amina Zaher
Ali Al Sharif. Photo: Amina Zaher
Elham Shahin in Heba Edris. Photo: Amina Zaher
Hend Sabri in Honayda and Fawaz Gruosi. Photo: Amina Zaher
Irina Shayk. Photo: Amina Zaher
Khairiah in Rubaiyat. Photo: Amina Zaher
Razane Jammal in Harithand. Photo: Amina Zaher
Read Next: This Fashion Sustainability Event in Saudi Arabia Encourages Guests To Swap Designer Clothing
Junior Fashion Editor: Mohammad Hazem RezqCreative producer: Ankita Chandra Local production: Basamat Arabia

Hend Sabry. Photo: Amina Zaher
Saudi Arabia‘s historic Al-Balad lit up on the evening of December 6 as some of the world’s biggest stars descended in Jeddah for the Kingdom’s first international film festival. The Red Sea International Film Festival‘s opening night was cause for celebration not only for the Middle East’s proud actors and filmmakers, but also global talents who joined in to spotlight the many achievements of Arab cinema. Showing their support, in attendance were Marvel star Anthony Mackie, English actor Clive Owen, American actor Hilary Swank, and Italian actor Michele Morrone. Internationally-followed models Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, Shanina Shaik, and Sara Sampaio also made glamorous attendees, with some donning Arab designers. While Sampaio and Shaik chose shimmering pieces from Lebanese couturier—and Ball of Arabia 2021 co-chair—Zuhair Murad, Ambrosio opted for a white number by Georges Hobeika with a thigh-high slit.
The Arab world’s stars, of course, made sure to match the energy of the historic ceremony dressed in creations by regional designers. Jury member Hend Sabry championed Saudi talent in a bespoke off-white pleated gown by Honayda. Actors Razane Jammal and Tara Emad opted for flowing silhouettes by Lebanese label Harithand, while couturier Georges Hobeika’s head-turning pieces were worn by Saba Mubarak and Rym Saidi. As for iconic actors Yousra and Lebleba, delicate violet gowns doused in embellishment were the order for the day.
It’s safe to say, however, that saturated hues ruled the red carpet last evening. While Mila Al Zahrani opted for a royal blue tulle number, Mahira Abdelaziz chatted with Vogue Arabia in a draped orange Tony Ward, and Saudi actor Ahd Kamel went the emerald route in Jeddah-based Saudi designer Ruba Bahareth. Among the most interesting looks from the evening was Karen Wazen’s sharp black pantsuit, proof that power dressing never fails.
As the evening progressed, guests were treated to a theatrical dance performance that marked the opening of the 10-day festival at the Red Sea Gala Theatre, and also witnessed an award ceremony, where three inspiring women were honored: Egyptian actress Laila Elwi, who has often been admired for her bold choice of roles, French actress, singer, model, and producer Catherine Deneuve, and Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour, who shared a heartfelt speech. Below, we take you through some of the best red carpet moments from the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Rym Saidi in Georges Hobeika and Chopard. Photo: Amina Zaher
Saba Mubarak in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Amina Zaher
Shanina Shaik in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Amina Zaher
Lebleba. Photo: Amina Zaher
Sara Sampaio. Photo: Amina Zaher
Tara Emad in Harithand. Photo: Amina Zaher
Ahd Kamel in Ruba Bahareth. Photo: Amina Zaher
Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Amina Zaher
Karen Wazen and Elias Bakhazi. Photo: Amina Zaher
Ali Al Sharif. Photo: Amina Zaher
Elham Shahin in Heba Edris. Photo: Amina Zaher
Hend Sabry in Honayda and Fawaz Gruosi. Photo: Amina Zaher
Irina Shayk. Photo: Amina Zaher
Khairiah in Rubaiyat. Photo: Amina Zaher
Razane Jammal in Harithand. Photo: Amina Zaher
Read Next: This Fashion Sustainability Event in Saudi Arabia Encourages Guests To Swap Designer Clothing
Junior Fashion Editor: Mohammad Hazem RezqCreative producer: Ankita Chandra Local production: Basamat Arabia

Raya Abirached. Photo: Instagram/@rayaofficial
Regional network Middle East Broadcasting (MBC) commenced its 30th anniversary celebrations with a star-studded event in Lisbon, Portugal. Presenters and stars from the Arab world took to the Portuguese capital to celebrate the milestone and also participated in a special episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The episode is set to air on September 18, the official date of the anniversary.
Yousra and Joelle Mardinian. Photo: Instagram/@joellemardinian
Among those in attendance were Egyptian actors Yousra, Amina Khalil, and Asser Yassin; Saudi actor Nasser Al Qasabi, Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, as well as current and former MBC presenters Raya Abirached and George Kordahi. Kordahi is known for launching the Arabic version of the famed game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 1991 and will be hosting the special anniversary episode of the same, with questions themed around the history of the network.
Mahira Abdelaziz. Photo: Instagram/@ mahiraabdelaziz
Attendees championing Arab designers on the red carpet included actor and presenter Mahira Abdelaziz in a sparkling blue Tony Ward Couture gown, and Abirached in a floor-grazing red dress by Naja Saade. Yousra arrived in a one-shoulder dress by Maram Borhan paired with a clutch by Sarah’s Bag while Lebanese makeup artist Joelle Mardinian made an appearance in a Marwan & Khaled Couture dress.
Read Next: All the Stars Reviving High-Fashion on the Venice Film Festival Red Carpet

On Sunday night, Egypt hosted one of the most monumental parades celebrating the relocation of Egyptian royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat (NMEC). Dubbed the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade, the event was adorned with references to ancient Egyptian culture, from the outfits worn by Arab celebrities and performers to the music.
Actor Youssra channeled Egyptian royalty in a white gown with blue accents from Tony Ward’s fall 15-16 couture collection and golden jewelry including earrings by Dima jewelry and a headpiece. In the video showcased at the parade documenting the event’s historical importance, Cairo-based Tunisian actor Hend Sabri made an appearance in a teal and gold Marmar Halim dress while Egyptian actor Nelly Karim wore a white and gold gown by Nour Azazy that featured a sweeping train. Other participating celebrities included Egyptian actor Mona Zaki who wore a royal blue dress paired with a statement necklace and Nardine Farag who was dressed in a red jumpsuit from Zuhair Murad’s SS20 collection inspired by Egypt.
Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About the Star-Studded Pharaoh’s Golden Parade in Egypt