Last night, Vogue Arabia brought together a selection of local and international stars, influencers, designers and royalty to celebrate 50 years of the United Arab Emirates at the second edition of the Ball of Arabia. Held at Raffles The Palm Dubai and presented by Level Shoes and Audi Middle East, the gala dinner wasn’t like any of its kind. Co-chaired by Ingie Chalhoub, Huda and Mona Kattan, Mona Zaki and Zuhair Murad, the once-in-a-lifetime celebration highlighted the very best of the region with a series of cultural experiences curated by the General Women’s Union, and also paid homage to the nation with an all-gold dress code.
Naturally, Vogue Arabia’s line up of guests joined in the festivities in a series of show-stopping gilded ensembles. While Huda Kattan chose a strapless Michael Cinco number, sister Mona Kattan posed for cameras in a full-sleeved Zuhair Murad creation dotted with pink and green jewels, and Ingie Chalhoub designed a champagne gold gown for the evening out. On-screen icon Mona Zaki also went with Zuhair Murad for the evening, picking a caped embellished gown with a risqué slit, which she later switched for a shorter, party-ready gold outfit with playful cut-outs. Another star who changed their look during the celebration was Dorra Zarrouk. The Tunisian actress walked in dressed in an armor-like gilded creation, and later slipped into an elegant off-shoulder gown by Géyanna Youness Haute Couture.
Never one to shy away from high-shine glamour, Ball of Arabia’s host, Jessica Kahawaty was among the first stars to arrive at the venue. Her pick: another Zuhair Murad, doused in sequin work and topped off with a full-length cape. Then there was Rym Saidi, who walked in wearing pleated gold Rami Al Ali maxi. “Gold is the most beautiful, luxurious color,” she revealed to Vogue Arabia while describing her look for the evening. “It’s almost Christmas, the end of the year, so tonight is a great occasion to wear gold.”
One of the most noteworthy gold ensembles from the evening came via former cover star Rawdah, who had her golden moment in a sparkling abaya by Tina Steffenakk Hermansen, complete with matching gloves. To check out more must-see celebrity looks in gold from the evening, start scrolling.
Mona and Huda Kattan. Photo: Instagram.com
Mona Zaki in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Dazl Production
Dorra Zarrouk in Jean Pierre Khoury. Photo: Dazl Production
Rawdah in Tina Steffenakk Hermansen. Photo: Dazl Production
Rym Saidi Rami Al Ali. Photo: Dazl Production
Jessica Kahawaty in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Dazl Production
Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said
Dana Hourani. Photo: Dazl Production
Rana Hatem in Reem Kachmar Couture. Photo: Dazl Production
Andrea and Karen Wazen. Photo: Dazl Production
Miriam Abadi. Photo: Dazl Production
Nargis Fakhri. Photo: Dazl Production
