Last night, all eyes were on Atlantis the Royal, as stars descended on the grand hotel for the region’s biggest fashion night, aka the Vogue Ball of Arabia. Look back on the star-studded event’s 2024 edition via pictures below.
Dorra Zarrouk, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Winnie Harlow
Since its debut in 2017, the annual Vogue Ball of Arabia has been the most-anticipated sartorial event of the region due to its magnetic star power, and for keeping its finger on the pulse of crucial issues as well as the season’s hottest trends. This year’s edition, held in partnership with Atlantis the Royal, Hongqi, Amaffi, and Komos, unfolded to be greater than ever. Under the theme Mermaids of the Gulf, the ball celebrated the phenomenon that has inspired the world of fashion and pop culture for decades, while raising awareness about the preservation of the marine environment, and also paying homage to the region’s pearl diving heritage. This year’s edition of the event joined forces with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group on a special partnership that underlined the EMEG’s incredible efforts in preserving biodiversity in the UAE. The non-profit organization was established in 1996 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and is helmed by chairman Major Ali Saqer Sultan Al Suwaidi.
Among the many elements that make the Vogue Ball of Arabia a night to remember is an immersive decor that brings the theme to life, and Lebanese interior designer Toni Breiss’ work did just that. Upon entering the venue, guests were enchanted by the many details that conjured up an underwater fantasy—from the oceanic carpet and photo wall to the larger-than-life iridescent bubbles and sea shells, as well as the blue and purple blooms courtesy of The Flower Society. The realistic underwater imagery by Andrei Visuals spotted around the venue also added to the night’s experience.
The dreamy ballroom decor by Toni Breiss. Photo: Dazl Production
Another highlight that is hard to miss at the Vogue Ball of Arabia? The sartorial A-game that stars from the region and beyond bring to the event, while doing justice to the theme and further cementing the ball’s status as Arabia’s biggest fashion night. On Thursday, the event saw various takes on the Mermaids of the Gulf theme, which ranged from dresses dripping in pearls and marine-hued embellishments to more subtle versions like silhouettes draped and pleated like ocean waves. Some of the most renowned stars and models to grace the blue carpet included Dorra Zarrouk, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Carla Bruni, Razane Jammal, Winnie Harlow, Halima Aden, and Carmen Bsaibes.
Andrée Acouri was honored for her achievements. Photo: Dazl Production
Inside the ballroom, the event kicked off with Egyptian actor and presenter Enjy Kiwan hosting the Vogue Ball of Arabia for the first time, dressed in a holographic green Reem Kachmar Couture creation. The first to take the stage was CEO and founder of Nervora, and publisher of Vogue Arabia Shashi Menon, who spoke about the inspiring journey of the magazine, which celebrates its 7th anniversary this March. Editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut then addressed guests for a very special moment, which saw Vogue Arabia honor the iconic Andrée Acouri for her incredible achievements. Acouri, who is the first Arab model to walk the international runways, was presented with a physical framed cover from her much-loved Vogue Arabia photoshoot from 2021. The night continued as guests dined on a curated menu of beetroot ravioli, vegan feta, walnut purée, and winter truffle followed by grilled beef wagyu tenderloin with pommes Anna and wild mushroom for mains, and vanilla tonka finger with roasted hazelnuts for dessert.
Loreen in Balenciaga. Photo: Dazl Production
Then came the moment that everyone had been eagerly looking forward to: A special musical performance by Moroccan-Swedish artist Loreen. The two-time Eurovision winner, and the first woman to ever win the song contest, moved the audience with her powerful vocals and hit tracks like ‘Is it Love’ and ‘Tattoo’ as well as her rendition of ‘Batwanes Beek’. At the party that followed, DJ Karrouhat’s electrifying set got the guests off their seats and up on their feet as the night came to an end with more music.
Check out more pictures from the 2024 Vogue Ball of Arabia below.
Nadine Nassib Njeim in Rami Kadi. Photo: Dazl Production
Loreen and Manuel Arnaut in Rami Al Ali. Photo: Dazl Production
Kareena Kapoor Khan in Sabyasachi. Photo: Dazl Production
Dorra Zarrouk in Ali Karoui. Photo: Dazl Production
Carmen Bsaibes in Elie Saab. Photo: Dazl Production
Winnie Harlow in Krikor Jabotian. Photo: Dazl Production
Razane Jammal in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Dazl Production
Carla Bruni and Giuseppe Santoni. Photo: Dazl Production
Huda Kattan in Rick Owens. Photo: Dazl Production
Mona Kattan. Photo: Dazl Production
Jessica Kahawaty in Nicolas Jebran. Photo: Dazl Production
Karen Wazen. Photo: Dazl Production
Passant Shawky in Dima Ayad, with Mohamed Farrag. Photo: Dazl Production
Enjy Kiwan in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Dazl Production
Halima Aden in Dima Ayad. Photo: Dazl Production
Manuel Arnaut. Photo: Dazl Production
Rym Saidi in Valentino, with Wissam Breidy. Photo: Dazl Production
Ramy Ayach. Photo: Dazl Production
Nour Rizk in Balenciaga. Photo: Dazl Production
Ahmed Sabry, Zhao Lingling, Shashi Menon, and Ahmed Galal. Photo: Dazl Production
Rana Hatem in Maison Yeya and Jacob & Co jewelry. Photo: Dazl Production
Major Ali Saqer Sultan Al Suwaidi. Photo: Dazl Production
Sara Abi Kanaan in Rami Kadi. Photo: Dazl Production
Andrée Acouri in Roberto Cavalli. Photo: Dazl Production
Toni Breiss. Photo: Dazl Production
Lojain Omran. Photo: Dazl Production
Nathalie Fanj in Rami Kadi. Photo: Dazl Production
Mahira Abdelaziz in Reem Kachmar. Photo: Dazl Production
Rami Al Ali. Photo: Dazl Production
Nargis Fakhri in . Photo: Dazl Production
Nadya Hassan. Photo: Dazl Production
Rana Hatem, Manuel Arnaut, Jane Yun, and Shashi Menon. Photo: Dazl Production
Layla Kardan in Gaffe. Photo: Dazl Production
Lama Alakeel in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Dazl Production
The Mermaids of the Gulf theme brought to life by event partner Komos. Photo: Dazl Production
Guests were greeted by Hongqi’s spectacular automobiles. Photo: Dazl Production
Hadia Ghaleb in Zahan. Photo: Dazl Production
The stunning blooms by The Flower Society. Photo: Dazl Production
Farnoush Hamidian in Rabanne. Photo: Dazl Production
Dima Al Sheikhly. Photo: Dazl Production
Dana Hourani in Saint Laurent. Photo: Dazl Production
Cynthia Samuel in Valentino. Photo: Dazl Production
Annabella Hilal in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Dazl Production
Lojain Omran checks out Amaffi’s fragrances. Photo: Dazl Production
Farah Abdelaziz. Photo: Dazl Production
Nadine Abdelaziz. Photo: Dazl Production
DJ Karrouhat. Photo: Dazl Production
