“Tonight, we celebrate the careers of three icons,” pronounced Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut, taking the stage at the annual Vogue Ball of Arabia, which transported guests to the Golden Age of Arab entertainment. “Nabila Ebeed, Latifa, and Georgina Rizk,” he exclaimed as the 250 guests inside the Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam ballroom—sparkling with ’80s inspired screens by Andrei Visuals—erupted into applause. Many took to their feet in ovation as each woman, introduced by Dorra Zarrouk, Dalia Mubarak, and Rym Saidi respectively, were called to receive their framed covers from the forthcoming January 2023 Vogue Arabia issue.
Dorra Zarrouk and Nabila Ebeed at the Vogue Ball of Arabia
In a room bathed in thousands of magenta-colored roses courtesy Zoya Sakr’s The Flower Society and artfully arranged decor elements by Ziad Raphael Nassar, the guests—several of them decked out in Bulgari jewelry and with looks crafted by a glam team from Charlotte Tilbury and Laloge—chatted animatedly with each other about growing up watching the films of Ebeed, listening to the songs of Latifa, or being mesmerized by the beauty of Rizk—the first and only Arab to win Miss Universe.
Photo: Dazl Production
At the annual ball, now in its third edition, guests also shared their own stories of perseverance with each other. Saudi Olympian rower Husein Alireza spoke of his training for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, while voicing his beliefs that any self promotion should share a message with the public that in times of difficulty, one can and must keep moving forward. Designer Dima Ayad admitted that in the turmoil of the year following the passing of her mother, she has found an inner power that will soon see her release a collection with an international model. Saudi designer Arwa Al Banawi was ebullient, speaking of the challenges of balancing work and her new baby son. Entrepreneur and model Rita Kahawaty made one of her first public appearances after winning a recent battle with cancer for the second time. The evening, hosted with humor and style by Jessica Kahawaty and Abla Fahita, both dressed by Georges Hobeika offered light-hearted moments for its guests as they dined on a delectable seasonal menu of shredded Alaskan king crab and avocado with green apple; artichoke sphere, burrata, and spinach with winter truffle; beef cheek grilled asparagus, celeriac puree, pearl onion with beef jus; and an orange blossom pallet desert. On the sidelines of the event, Fahita also brought forth her trademark wit as she interviewed guests at the Instagram booth.
Leona Lewis, who performed at the Vogue Ball of Arabia. Photo: Dazl Production
Along with honoring the careers of Arabia’s icons, the evening offered a performance by British songstress, three-time Grammy award nominee Leona Lewis, in a party held with Bulgari. Dressed in Rami Al Ali, she performed several of her hits including Bleeding Love and You Are The Reason for the star-studded guests including the likes of HH Sayyida Basma Bint Fakhri Al Said, Razane Jammal, Mona Kattan, Joelle Mardinian, Maya Diab, Cyrine Abdelnour, Ameni Asseibi, Honayda Serafizina, Aisha Alsharefa, Alberta Ferretti, Abdulla Al Abdulla, Fahad and Shouq Marzook, Dana Hourani, Mrs Keepa, Mo Al Turki, Amira Alzuhair, Amina Khalil, Annabella Hilal, Nojoud Alrumaihi, Enjy Kiwan, and Rawdah who all took to the dance floor with DJs Djette & Caline spinning until the early hours.
The Vogue Ball of Arabia thanks its official sponsors Bulgari, Jumeirah, and Instagram.
Nabila Ebeed, Manuel Arnaut, Georgina Rizk, Latifa. Photo: Dazl Production
Dorra Zarrouk in Rami Kadi. Photo: Dazl Production
Nabila Ebeed. Photo: Dazl Production
Georgina Rizk. Photo: Dazl Production
Latifa. Photo: Dazl Production
Leona Lewis in Rami Al Ali, Bulgari, Piferi. Photo: Dazl Production
Rym Saidi and Wissam Breidy. Photo: Dazl Production
Mona Kattan. Photo: Dazl Production
Manuel Arnaut and Leona Lewis. Photo: Dazl Production
Jane Yun wearing Georges Hobeika, and Shashi Menon. Photo: Dazl Production
Cyrine Abdelnour in Dolce & Gabbana. Photo: Dazl Production
Salma Abu Deif in Valentino. Photo: Dazl Production
Amina Khalil in Rami Kadi and Bulgari. Photo: Dazl Production
Jessica and Rita Kahawaty. Photo: Dazl Production
Maya Diab in Jean Louis Sabaji. Photo: Dazl Production
HH Sayyida Basma Al Said. Photo: Dazl Production
Manuel Arnaut, Georgina Rizk, Rym Saidi. Photo: Dazl Production
Manuel Arnaut, Latifa, and Dalia Mubarak. Photo: Dazl Production
Jessica Kahawaty, Manuel Arnaut, Nabila Ebeed, Dorra Zarrouk. Photo: Dazl Production
Jessica Kahawaty and Manuel Arnaut. Photo: Dazl Production
Lojain Omran. Photo: Dazl Production
Alberta Ferretti. Photo: Dazl Production
Ameni Esseibi. Photo: Dazl Production
Zeina Barhoum. Photo: Dazl Production
Honayda Al Serafi. Photo: Dazl Production
Rana Hatem in Rami Kadi and Bulgari. Photo: Dazl Production
Razane Jammal. Photo: Dazl Production
Nadine Kanso. Photo: Dazl Production
Caterina Minthe arrives in a Blacklane ride. Photo: Dazl Production
Rania Hammad. Photo: Dazl Production
HH Sayyida Basma Al Said. Photo: Dazl Production
Chanel Ayan. Photo: Dazl Production
Arwa Al Banawi. Photo: Dazl Production
Moatasam Al Nahar. Photo: Dazl Production
Rawdah Mohamed. Photo: Dazl Production
Husein Alireza. Photo: Dazl Production
Nadine, Alice and Farah Abdelaziz. Photo: Dazl Production
Victoria Lopyreva. Photo: Dazl Production
Anas Bukhash. Photo: Dazl Production
Enjy Kiwan. Photo: Dazl Production
Amira Al Zuhair. Photo: Dazl Production
Nojoud Alrumaihi. Photo: Dazl Production
Joelle Mardinian. Photo: Dazl Production
Miryam Labiad. Photo: Dazl Production
Reema Al Banna. Photo: Dazl Production
Yara Mustafa. Photo: Dazl Production
May Barber. Photo: Dazl Production
Annabella Hilal. Photo: Dazl Production
Rawan Kattoa. Photo: Dazl Production
Fatima Almomen. Photo: Dazl Production
Nargis Fakhri. Photo: Dazl Production
Jannat and Aisha Miranda. Photo: Dazl Production
Zeynab El-Helw. Photo: Dazl Production
Mthayel Al Ali. Photo: Dazl Production
Dima Ayad. Photo: Dazl Production
Mohammed Al Turki. Photo: Dazl Production
Fahad Al Marzook and Shouq Al Marzook. Photo: Dazl Production
Abdulla Al Abdulla. Photo: Dazl Production
Sarah Abdallah. Photo: Dazl Production
Mayssa Maghrebi. Photo: Dazl Production
Rami Al Ali and Diala Makki. Photo: Dazl Production
Alanoud Badr. Photo: Dazl Production
Alberta Ferretti. Photo: Dazl Production
Hatem Alakeel. Photo: Dazl Production
Rami Kadi and Aisha Almamy. Photo: Dazl Production
Deema Al Asadi in Dima Ayad. Photo: Dazl Production
Photo: Dazl Production
