With a debut lead role, a gold medal, and Hollywood on the horizon, nothing is impossible for Vogue Arabia’s summer cover star Yasmine Sabri.
Photographed by Silja Magg for Vogue Arabia July/August 2019.
Starring on her first-ever cover shoot for Vogue, the Egyptian actor jet-setted to Rome following a grueling few months of filming for her first lead role in TV series, in Hekayti (My Story). The success of the show cemented her status as a major player on the small screen and saw the star sign with an LA agent, with dominating the big screen next on her agenda.
Despite her hectic schedule, she showed no signs of fatigue, approaching the cover shoot with gusto, with her positive energy never waning throughout 12 hours posing in various iconic locations across Italy’s capital city including the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Photographed by Silja Magg and styled by Vogue Arabia’s executive fashion editor, Claire Carruthers, Sabri says the opportunity was a real achievement.
Photographed by Silja Magg for Vogue Arabia July/August 2019.
“I’m privileged and really honored to be on the cover of Vogue Arabia,” she shares. “Vogue is a brand, it is a trademark. To be the first Egyptian star to have a solo appearance on the cover makes me feel like I achieved something to get this.”
Photographed by Silja Magg for July/August 2019
The Federico Fellini-esque shoot saw Sabri get a warning from the carabinieri as she attempted to recreate Anita Ekberg’s La Dolce Vita scene in the Trevi Fountain – her efforts to get the perfect shot where commendable, and an insight into her discipline and level-headed attitude, which she credits to her previous career as an athlete. Sabri is a gold medal-winning swimmer, but more of that in our exclusive interview.
Yasmine Sabri wears dress, earrings, Simone Rocha; shoes, Christian Dior; stockings, Wolford. Photographed by Silja Magg for Vogue Arabia July/August 2019.
The 30-something star also opens up about diversity in Hollywood, praising the likes of Oscar-winner Rami Malek and Aladdin’s Mena Massoud. Outside of acting, Sabri uses her epic social media platform – she has more than 6.6 million Instagram followers – to raise attention to subjects close to her heart. The star discusses her efforts as a champion for women’s rights in the Middle East and her work with Syrian refugees. “I’m a feminist,” says the ambassador for African women. “I’ve always been fascinated by strong women. When I started focusing on women’s rights, going to refugee camps, and working with Arab women who had an affliction, I realized that I had a responsibility to help make an impact.”
Yasmine Sabri wears sweater, Max Mara at Matchesfashion.com; skirt, Erdem; shoes, Christian Dior; socks, stylist’s own. Photographed by Silja Magg for Vogue Arabia July/August 2019.
The July/August summer issue also raises the issue of sustainability in fashion. With the average consumer buying 60% more clothes than in 2000, Manuel Arnaut, editor in chief says, “This is relevant to all the citizens of our world, even the ones who don’t take fashion seriously. It is imperative that we change our habits and act while we still can.” The story highlights the local brands including Okhtein, Saqhoute and Abadia who are championing a positive change in the industry. Elsewhere in the issue, Cindy Bruna showcases how best to wear the new summer trends, Keira Knightley offers insights into her new projects, four women reveal how quitting their job lead to their dream vocation, and breast implants are put on the radar – are they more harmful than we think? All this and much more.
Editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut
Photography Silja Magg
Style Claire Carruthers
Hair Giuseppe Lorusso at Close Up Milano
Makeup Karin Borromeo at WM Management
Production Ricci Productions & Creative
Photography assistants Filippo Silli, Elisa Marchegiani
Style assistant Valentina Rossi Mori
Fashion coordinator Danica Zivkovic
With thanks to Hotel De La Ville and Hotel De Russie Roccofortehotels.com
