Red Sea Film Festival red carpet fashion: Lebanese and Saudi designers reign supreme


Katy Gillett
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  • Arabic

While it's only in its second year, Jeddah's Red Sea International Film Festival has fast become an integral part of the annual celebrity circuit.

Stars from across the world descended on the red carpet for opening night, showing off glamorous looks by international and regional designers.

Priyanka Chopra and American dancer Julianne Hough wore gowns by Lebanese stalwart Tony Ward to the opening ceremony.

Chopra donned an embroidered kaftan-style couture gown, while Hough dazzled in a custom tulle and feather trim halter dress.

Freida Pinto chose Elie Saab for her eye-catching attire, a bright yellow gown with oversized, puffed sleeves from the Lebanese designer's pre-fall 2022 collection.

Freida Pinto wears Elie Saab at the opening night gala screening of What's Love Got To Do With It? at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Getty Images
Freida Pinto wears Elie Saab at the opening night gala screening of What's Love Got To Do With It? at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Getty Images

Zuhair Murad looks were everywhere, as the namesake Lebanese fashion designer hit the red carpet himself. Egyptian singer Yousra, who was awarded with the Gold Yusr Honorary Award for her contribution to cinema, wore a golden, beaded halter neck gown with embellished cape and a clutch, while Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim chose a one-shoulder Zuhair Murad fitted draped satin gown from the atelier's spring/summer 2022 line.

Famed Lebanese presented Raya Abirached also chose Zuhair Murad in the form of a floor-length white cady kaftan with crystals and gold brooch beading from the ready-to-wear resort 2023 collection.

Looking smart was Saudi filmmaker Fatima Al Banawi, who chose a crisp white lace suit with a trailing blazer by Lebanese designer Rami Kadi, paired with nude heels.

Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk, meanwhile, donned a silver beaded gown with thigh-high slit and asymmetrical shoulders by lesser-known Beirut atelier Ziad Nakad.

Designers from Saudi 100 Brands, in collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission, also dressed a number of celebrity guests.

For example, Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio wore a sequinned royal blue look by Yousef Akbar, while Saudi actress Mila Al Zahrani wore a structured black and white, off-the-shoulder gown by Mashael Alfares.

Alessandra Ambrosio attends the opening night gala. Getty Images
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the opening night gala. Getty Images

Jacqui Ainsley Ritchie, the wife of Guy Ritchie, who also received the Gold Yusr Honorary Award, wore a look by Dazluq, and Saudi actress Ida Alkusay wore an avant-garde A-line blue gown by Khawla.

Designer Honayda Serafi, who was celebrating becoming the first Saudi ambassador of Chopard at the event, wore a beautiful green gown and trailing head scarf with beaded embellishments, which she designed herself. She also dressed Sofia Guellaty, editor and board member of the Fashion Trust Arabia, in a deep purple dress.

Also representing the Gulf was US actress Sharon Stone, who wore a show-stopping blush pink gown with ruffled neck by Bahraini label Monsoori, paired with long black gloves.

US actress Sharon Stone arrives wearing Bahraini label Monsoori on the red carpet at the opening ceremony. AFP
US actress Sharon Stone arrives wearing Bahraini label Monsoori on the red carpet at the opening ceremony. AFP

International designers weren't in short supply, either, as Egyptian model Tara Emad looked sophisticated in head-to-toe Chanel, wearing a white floor-length buttoned up, long-sleeved tweed gown.

American actress Lucy Hale, best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, also attended, wearing a brilliant one-shouldered green gown by Giambattista Valli.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric

Transmission: n/a

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 659Nm

Price estimate: Dh200,000

On sale: Q3 2022 

MATCH INFO

Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')

Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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RESULTS

6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock

9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Test series fixtures

(All matches start at 2pm UAE)

1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday

2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18

3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31

4th Test Manchester from August 4-8

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

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Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

UAE v Ireland

1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets

2nd ODI, January 12

3rd ODI, January 14

4th ODI, January 16

MATCH DETAILS

Liverpool 2

Wijnaldum (14), Oxlade-Chamberlain (52)

Genk 1

Samatta (40)

 

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: December 02, 2022, 8:22 AM