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To celebrate our long-term mission of supporting homegrown talent ahead of Vogue Arabia’s 2nd anniversary, we brought together some of the Middle East’s finest talents at the Four Seasons Hotel Nile Plaza in Cairo and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. As a Pan-Arab title, we have the responsibility to showcase the best of our region, which is why in this project, we engaged brands and personalities from as many Arab countries as possible.
“Supporting Arab designers is at the core of everything we do at Vogue Arabia. With this campaign and video – where we combined the talents of leading Arab stars, regional designers, and influencers – we are aiming to amplify this message, inviting our audience to invest in Arab fashion. From modest to streetwear, from red carpet to casual, local fashion is vibrant, in great health, and should be supported by all,” remarks Vogue Arabia Editor-in-Chief Manuel Arnaut.
Joining us in propelling our cause was a star-studded ensemble cast of Amina Khalil, Nour, Shereen Reda, Yousra, Amr Youssef, Nicolas Mouawad, Asser Yassin, Yosra El Lozy in Cairo, and Lama Jouni, Arwa Al Banawi, Maral Melhem of VMar Jewelry, Karen and Andrea Wazen, Diala Makki, Latifa Al Gurg, and Ameni Esseibi in Dubai.
With the goal of celebrating Arab fashion in the most artful way, the Cairo-based production company Snap14 and Photo Boutique’s Nazly Abou Seif captured all the celebrities truly having a good time. “The whole idea was that we wanted to give these stars space and freedom to express their own personalities. We wanted you to see THEM. Everyone’s freely and joyfully moving to an infectious upbeat song while retaining a fierce sense of style,” shared Abou Seif with Vogue.me.
The music heard in the video had been kept on a loop for a total of 16 hours so when the camera started rolling, the actors were in the zone to show off their best moves. However, the actors did not always have the music on as they were dancing. “Some shots were set in the hotel corridor, and because we couldn’t disturb the guests, the celebrities had to perform their entire acts without any musical cues. Here’s what this basically looked like: a silent corridor – a glamorous celebrity skipping and dancing – with an entire crew walking backwards holding lights and cameras while naturally finger-snapping just for encouragement,” said Abou Seif.
In Cairo, the celebrities styled by Yasmine Eissa were dressed in the best looks from Arab designers’ latest collections and VMAR jewelry. “It was fun yet challenging at the same time. You want to make them look good, different, trendy, elegant and wearing what suits them best. It’s also a video for Vogue celebrating it’s two-year anniversary so it makes it harder for any stylist as you definitely want everything to be perfect and everyone to be satisfied,” noted Eissa, who is also a strong supporter of our #BuyArabDesigners initiative. “I believe that this is one of the most important messages we, industry professionals, can convey to the world,” she said.
We should show the world that Arab designers are able to compete internationally. We have a lot of new Arab designers that we should support and help show their talent to the world. It’s essential to not only support the established brands but to also help the newer ones who are extremely talented yet struggling to be seen. Buy Arab designers and help make their presence just as strong as the international ones.”
Amina Khalil wears Ali Younes; jewelry, Michael Oro Jewellery
Nour wears Kojak Studio; jewelry, Michael Oro Jewellery
Shereen Reda wears Harithand; jewelry, Michael Oro Jewellery
Yousra wears Elie Saab; jewelry, Michael Oro Jewellery
Amr Youssef, Nicolas Mouawad, and Asser Yassin wear Orange Square
Yosra El Lozy wears Georges Hobeika; jewelry, Lx2 Jewellery
Lama Jouni wears Lama Jouni
Arwa Al Banawi wears Arwa Al Banawi; earrings, VMar Jewelry
Maral Melhem wears Ali Younes; hat, Zoltan Toth; jewelry, VMar Jewelry
Karen Wazen wears Rami Al Ali; coat, Beige; jewelry, Gafla; shoes, Andrea Wazen
Andrea Wazen wears Rami Al Ali; jewelry, Aurate; shoes, Andrea Wazen
Diala Makki wears Ingie Paris; shoes, Stuart Weitzman
Latifa Al Gurg wears Twisted Roots; shoes, Stuart Weitzman; scarf, Effa by Effa Dabbagh
Ameni Esseibi wears YNM; hat, Zoltan Toth, abaya, Mauzan; shoes, Stuart Weitzman; jewelry, VMar Jewelry
CAIRO SHOOT:
Directing & Editing: Photo Boutique (www.photoboutiqueegypt.com)
DOP: Karim Fouad
Production: SNAP14 (www.snap-14.com)
Stylist: Yasmine Eissa
Hair stylist: Shady at Mohamed Al Sagheer Salons (www.mohamedalsagheer.com)
Make up artist: Soha Khoury
Shot on location at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza (https://www.fourseasons.com/caironp/)
Color Grading: Karim Mira at Lizard Films
Choreography: Ziad Aly
Fashion assistant: Habiba Khaled
Behind the scenes footage: Marwan Morsy & Tarek Effat
Soundtrack: Can’t Stop Moving by Hybrid Wolf Pups
DUBAI SHOOT:
Directing & Editing: Photo Boutique (www.photoboutiqueegypt.com)
DOP: Karim Fouad
Production: SNAP14 (www.snap-14.com)
Stylist: Mohammad Hazem Rezq
Beauty: THT – That Hair Tho
Shot on location at Burj Al Arab (www.jumeirah.com)
Color Grading: Karim Mira at Lizard Films
Fashion assistant: Marta Naffa
Soundtrack: Can’t Stop Moving by Hybrid Wolf Pups