Photographed by Terry Tsiolis for Vogue Arabia, March 2017
Prepare to pull out your finest gowns this weekend, as the highlight of this year’s party season approaches. The inaugural Ball of Arabia—a charity gala launched by Vogue Arabia—is set to occur on December 7 at the Burj Al Arab. Middle Eastern royalty, international and regional celebrities, and fashion stars will descend upon the iconic Dubai landmark for a glamorous fundraising evening, with entertainment by American superstar and award-winning singer Ciara.
The Ball of Arabia gala dinner will be followed by an after-party, also held at the seven-star hotel, with guests including Yasmine Sabri, Dorra Zarrouk, Maya Diab, and Salma Abu Deif. Dutch supermodel Lara Stone will also be in attendance, as will property developer Mohamed Hadid, and singers Maritta and Lara Scandar. The soirée, held in partnership with Tiffany & Co. and sponsored by Sobha Realty, Rolls-Royce, and Jumeirah Group, is in benefit of the Girls Education and Empowerment Program in the MENA region.
Vogue has a long tradition of hosting balls around the world—think the Met Gala, and the Vogue Brazil Carnival Ball. The Ball of Arabia is the first of its kind in the region and will be one of the most lavish events on its fashion calendar. “We are incredibly delighted to launch the Ball of Arabia, a glamorous annual event to close the year’s social calendar. Committing to a noble cause has always been a passion of mine and to combine it with another passion, fashion, is a real honor, as well as being pioneering in the region,” explains Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut. “In our inaugural year, the Girls Education and Empowerment Program was a natural partner for us, as we wanted to work with an organization that would allocate the proceeds from the evening within the region.”
Vogue Arabia CEO and publisher Shashi Menon adds, “The past year has been a tremendous one, filled with highlights for Vogue Arabia, one of the world’s most widely discussed publications. The Ball of Arabia will be a high-impact celebration with our closest partners, in support of an important cause, while setting the stage for the year ahead.”
Stay tuned to Vogue Arabia’s social media feeds over the weekend, as we bring you an inside look at the event of the season. In the meantime, click here for the best red-carpet inspiration to fuel your gala dressing.
