Vogue Arabia’s December issue celebrates the evolution — and everlasting charm — of Lebanese musician and icon Najwa Karam.
Photo: Mazen Abusrour
Ending the year with a bang, the award-winning, multi-platinum artist poses for the cover in a series of fiery ensembles as she embraces her best style and beauty era. While society often makes women feel invisible as they age, the 58-year-old confidently faces the camera with a look-at-me attitude, draped one minute in a glittering red dress by Jean-Louis Sabaji, and in the next, wrapped in swathes of gold fabric by Georges Chakra. “I love the mirror; I have loved it across all the different stages of my life. When I look at old pictures and compare them to today’s, I love myself even more now,” she states proudly. And editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut couldn’t agree more. In this month’s editor’s letter, Arnaut shares that this edition comes as an anti-agist statement. “Working in fashion, an industry with a natural appetite for novelty, means we are part of a system where models, designers, and even editors have a shelf life – with some rare exceptions, of course,” he says. “We shouldn’t discard anyone based on their date of birth. This is also proudly reflected in Vogue Arabia, where we try, as much as we can, to include women of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds.” The celebration of Najwa Karam fully demonstrates this.
Photo: Mazen Abusrour
From winning first place at the TV singing competition Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights) to releasing her debut studio album, Ya Habayeb, in 1989, Karam’s rise to fame has been both gradual and purposeful. Now, with more than 20 albums and numerous international awards, she’s gearing up to delight her fans with new songs and live performances in the UAE, Europe, and USA. “When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming famous. I do believe strongly that what you believe is what you become, with the right amount of determination,” she shares with a warm smile. “I like to think of my music as a continuation of Lebanese Mawwal and folkloric music, which was established before me by icons such as Sabah and Wadih El Safi.” As for her fashion revolution, she shares, “The right look must make you feel comfortable and satisfied to be able to take the first step from the changing room and make your way out.”
Photo: Mehmet Erzincan
As the UAE ushers in its 53rd National Day this month, the December issue also spotlights some of the country’s biggest achievers. First, we meet with Olympic equestrian Omar Al Marzouqi, joined by his sister Mthayel Al Marzouqi. Having just become the first Arab to win the prestigious FEI Rising Star Award, and the only Emirati to make it to the Paris Olympics final despite being the youngest participating rider, Omar sits down with his sibling to discuss their colorful childhoods, their passion for showjumping, and their vibrant futures with the sport. “My day as a child was tough: I went to school in the morning, trained in the evening, and went to bed at nine at night. It was hard, but now I see how it all paid off,” Omar recalls from his childhood. “[Our father] pulls the strings for us, encourages us to believe in ourselves and push forward,” Mthayel adds. “He sees horses as more than just animals. He sees them as souls that need to be connected to and cared for. It’s about bonding with them – caring for them, preserving them, and truly understanding them as emotional partners.”
Photo: Sasha Gogosh
Next, we step into the office of Nadia Zaal, the Emirati entrepreneur who founded Dubai-based boutique investment firm Zaya, and serves as the director of Five Holdings, a hospitality and entertainment company that oversees the Five hotel collection and the Pacha Group. “Our luxury desks sit where a fish market once stood, and we kept some elements of that past, like a divider painted with fish painted,” she shares as she takes us through her space. All minimalist interiors, soft lighting, and soothing colors, Zaal’s office serves as a clean canvas for a spectrum of ventures. “Some days, it’s pristine; other days, the tables are covered with architectural drawings and plans. It’s organized chaos, but it’s where the magic happens!”
Photo: Dylan Don
Venturing out from the UAE, Vogue Arabia’s December 2024 issue also highlights a selection of exciting new names in the region. At just 17 years old, Algerian gymnast Kaylia Nemour made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, becoming the first gymnast representing an African country to win a gold medal when she swung her way to a graceful victory on the uneven bars. “It wasn’t just a personal victory but also a symbol of hope and pride for the Algerian people and, more broadly, for the entire Arab world,” she says.
In 2022, Nemour faced a defining career challenge when a standoff with the French Gymnastics Federation over a knee injury left her unable to compete in major competitions. Undeterred, she turned to Algeria, her father’s homeland, where she was roundly welcomed. “I didn’t have the opportunity to compete for France despite my physical and technical capabilities, so I embraced the chance to represent Algeria,” she explains. The decision became a turning point. “Representing Algeria gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my roots and explore a deeper aspect of my identity.”
Photo: Sam Rawadi
In our fashion pages, you’ll also discover daring fashion by nine Saudi designers, who presented their latest creations at Riyadh Fashion Week this October. While Noura Sulaiman’s pieces encapsulate the essence of the city with a blend of elegance and whimsy, House of Cenmar’s latest collection draws inspiration from Arabian nature and wildlife. Tima Abid brings to life the idea of a secret garden, while Mona Alshebil embraces minimal design principles rooted in Saudi heritage.
Also in Riyadh, this November saw Lebanese couturier Elie Saab celebrate 45 successful years in the business with a star-studded show that saw some of the world’s biggest models and celebrities — from Celine Dion to Halle Berry — take the stage in his iconic ensembles. In honor of his legacy, Vogue Arabia presents a vibrant fashion spread this month, featuring some of the designer’s fondest and most personal memories, described by Saab himself.
Photo: Getty
In a moment of unprecedented violence in the region, our phones continue to flood our days with horrific images of people burning alive and parents helplessly searching for their children under bombed ruins. This month, we wonder: what price are we paying with our mental health? Swiping through social media feeds, our nervous systems are on constant high alert, affecting everything from circadian rhythms to anxiety levels. But as we go to work and continue with our everyday lives, are we becoming desensitized to violence? “Gradually, the brain becomes less responsive to emotional stimuli, affecting empathy and emotional processing,” explains Heba Abdel Gawad, co-founder of .body//HACK: fitness education. “This shutdown can look like apathy, dissociation, numbness, indifference, and not caring. But it’s actually a trauma response.” While we must not avert our eyes, nor remain silent, learning how to manage the stress responses to ongoing bloodshed allows us to show up in our fullest capacity to help those suffering.
Photo: David Ajkai
In this issue, you will also discover the best Resort 2025 pieces for the end of the year, as well as the beauty trends that have taken the world by storm — from eye-defining looks to matte, perfectly powdered complexions. Our sparkling jewelry pages celebrate UAE’s Azra Khamissa’s new minimal gold pieces, Dior’s second chapter of the Diorama & Diorigami collection, and the radiant watches worth adding to your festive wish list. All this and more, on stands soon!
