DUBAI: Dubbed the “Queen of the Stage” by the Arab media, Lebanese superstar Myriam Fares has launched a collection with pocket-friendly brand Red Tag.
Fares, 34, made the announcement at an event in Dubai’s swanky Armani Prive club on Tuesday, and revealed why she partnered with the Gulf-based store on its summer 2018 line.
“This is a star wearing the same brand that is affordable for everyone to buy. This is a nice and affordable brand for every woman and young girl who wants to be fashionable,” Fares said, explaining the appeal of the budget-friendly collection.
Wearing Red Tag designs makes the international superstar feel “down to Earth,” she said, adding that “young women try to find clothes similar to the expensive pieces we stars usually wear. But today, this star is wearing clothes that those young ladies can afford — this is really valuable for me.”
Appealing to the young women in question is a major reason why Red Tag chose to approach Fares in the first place.
“Myriam is a hugely, hugely popular recording artist… and importantly to us as a brand, she is a huge style and fashion icon to her millions of followers,” COO of BMA International Group, the holding company behind Red Tag, David Pidgeon said at the event.
“Our customer is typically 15-35, she is focused on fashion, she wants good quality and she absolutely wants value for money. Myriam’s fan base is essentially the same — her fans are our customers.
“No matter how big a star you are, you have to stay in touch with your key fans and they are not all walking around in designer dresses. They want fashion, understand fashion and see fashion, but can’t afford to pay for it,” he added.
The collection is feminine and a sure win for the summer months, featuring pastel pink structured skirts, evening-ready burgundy dresses and sporty, striped trousers.
Considering curly haired Fares is a household name across the Middle East, it seems to make perfect sense that she should choose to launch a line with Red Tag, which currently has more than 160 fashion and lifestyle stores dotted around the region.
The singer, dancer and actress jetted into Dubai after a jaunt in Cyprus, where she performed a clutch of her most popular songs at a concert on April 28. Before that, she holidayed with her family in London, where she stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel and posted a flurry of photos of her time in the city.
In many of the photos, she can be seen posing in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the expansive British capital, including Tower Bridge and the River Thames.
Fares released her first album in 2003 and made her acting debut with TV soap opera “Itiham” in 2014. Later that year, she played the role of Tinkerbell in a musical version of Disney’s “Peter Pan” in the UAE.
The Lebanese powerhouse is married to American businessman Danny Mitri and has a son called Jayden, who was born in February 2016.
She isn’t, however, the only star to have launched a line with Red Tag. Lebanese singer, actress and model Cyrine Abdelnour has an eponymous Spring 2018 collection with the brand, featuring fun, flirty and affordable clothes in a soft pink color palette.
Abdelnour, whose first album “Leila Min Layali” was released in 2004, launched her latest collection in February, but has been working with Red Tag on sartorial tie-ups since 2015.
Myriam Fares launches affordable fashion line
Myriam Fares launches affordable fashion line
- The “Queen of the Stage” has launched a collection with pocket-friendly brand Red Tag
- The collection is feminine and a sure win for the summer months
Saudi content creators win big at TikTok Awards in Dubai
DUBAI: Two Saudi content creators made a mark at the TikTok Awards ceremony on Wednesday.
Mohammed Hemex was honored with the Sports Creator of the Year Award, while Emad Ramen earned the title of Food Creator of the Year.
The event drew a star-studded crowd, including US-Iraqi entrepreneur and fragrance mogul Mona Kattan, accompanied by her co-stars from Netflix’s “Dubai Bling.” Among them were Ebraheem Alsamadi, who decorated the venue with centerpieces from his brand Forever Rose, Safa Siddiqui, Danya Mohammed, Marwan Al-Awadhi (DJ Bliss), and Jwana Karim. Also in attendance were “Love is Blind Habibi” stars Mohammed AlKiswani and Nour El-Hajj.
The Creator of the Year award was presented to Yara Aziz. Ahead of her win, Aziz, who boasts 6.5 million TikTok followers, told Arab News: “I started everything on TikTok. It’s been five years now, and this is my first award ever with them. I am nervous, I am excited, I am happy, I am content and I am grateful.”
Originally a medical student, the TikToker attended the event wearing a dress handmade by her grandmother, a process she documented on TikTok for her followers.
Reflecting on the experience, Aziz described the process as “extremely stressful.” She explained, “Honestly, it was stressful for my grandma, she felt like she was under pressure to make something quick and fast. But honestly, it turned out perfect.”
Before the announcement, Aziz mentioned that winning this award would mark the most memorable moment of her social media career — and it did.
The night included performances by Haitian-French artist Naika, known for the viral hit “Sauce,” and Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa, a TikTok favorite, who thrilled the audience with tracks such as “Tesla,” “Batal Alam” and “Hob Khenaa,” joined by co-singer Nourine Abouseada for the latter.
The night celebrated other talents including Syrian Canadian Osama Marwah, who won the Video of the Year, while Egyptian singer Tul8te was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Lebanese chef Abir El Saghir received the Visionary Content Award, Abdullah Annan was honored as Changemaker of the Year, Shihab Al-Hashemy won Education Creator of the Year, and Nouran El-Sayed took home the Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year award.
Lavender carpet fashion: The hottest looks from the Joy Awards 2025
DUBAI: The hottest looks from the Joy Awards 2025, held on Jan. 18 in Riyadh.
Zainab Alblushi
The self-proclaimed Saudi “It Girl” wore this striking floor-length backless lilac gown with oversized, voluminous sleeves to the ceremony. The dress was created by Riyadh-based designer Khawla Alaiban, who founded her eponymous label in 2017. She stayed local with her accessories too, opting for diamonds from Saudi fine jewelry brand Lustro.
Annabella Hilal
The Lebanese model and TV presenter was fulsome in her praise of the awards, saying, “Every year this experience gets better and better.” She also thanked Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad — “a true artist” — for her “incredible dress,” this deep blue flowing gown which included intricate leaf-like embroidery on see-through fabric. Like Zainab Alblushi, Hilal went with jewelry from Lustro. She also carried a metallic silver Jimmy Choo bag.
Mila Alzahrani
The Saudi actress selected this beautifully tailored purple gown from Lebanese designer Sara Mrad. The dress featured an asymmetrical sheer corset with ruffled sleeves running into a dramatic skirt filled with feathers and eye-catching floral embroidery, and surrounded by a pleated train.
Nour Ali
Assisted by Dubai-based Lebanese stylist Cedric Haddad, the 29-year-old Syrian actress — shortlisted for the Best Actress in a Series award for her role in “Lo’bat Al-Hob” — chose this elegant all-black number with intricate tailoring and cut-outs from acclaimed Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad and accessorized with jewelry from Chopard.
Aseel Omran
The Saudi singer and actress looked chic in this timeless black gown with sculpted bodice and mermaid skirt from Lebanese designer Charbel Karam, who launched his namesake label in 2006 in Abu Dhabi. Omran also wore jewelry from Roberto Coin.
Stephanie Atala
The Lebanese actor and singer looked radiant in this pink dress with bejeweled bodice and voluminous skirt created by Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi. The awards came just two days after Atala announced her engagement to her long-time musical partner Joseph Abboud, aka Zef.
Zeina Makki
The Kuwait-born Lebanese filmmaker and actress hit the lavender carpet in this glittering golden gown with chainmail-style top and flowing see-through skirt from Georges Hobeika’s Fall/Winter 2024 ready-to-wear collection. Stylist Ibrahim Fakhereldine paired the dress with jewelry from Marli.
Nelly Karim
The beloved Egyptian actress made a splash in this bright red couture gown with accentuated boat neckline from Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward. Her outfit was almost as dramatic as her surprise appearance on stage to duet with pop superstar Tamer Hosny.
French Algerian model Loli Bahia celebrates Pharrell Williams’ fashion vision
- French Algerian model attends menswear show in Paris
- Williams teams up with Japanese fashion designer Nigo
DUBAI: French Algerian model Loli Bahia continues to strengthen her ties with Louis Vuitton, months after walking for the brand, by showing support for its menswear creative director Pharrell Williams.
This week, Bahia attended the menswear Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show during Paris Fashion Week, which runs through Jan. 26.
Williams hosted the event in a rear courtyard of the Louvre Museum after dark, setting the stage for a vibrant fall-winter collection that reimagined streetwear.
Models strode around the set to marching music, parading chunky wool suits, short bomber jackets, leather bermudas and coats in pastels, autumn tones and psychedelic renditions of the brand’s signature logo patterns.
There were colorful speedy bags, lobster-claw charms, pearl embellishments, thick jewelry and utility pockets in suede leather.
Bahia shared highlights from the show on Instagram, offering her followers a glimpse of the night’s fashion and energy.
For this collection, Williams, who is also famous as a musician, teamed up with his longtime collaborator, Japanese fashion designer Nigo, currently creative director of another LVMH-owned label, Kenzo.
The pair have been active in street culture for decades, founding the label Billionaire Boys Club in 2003 and playing a role in streetwear’s rise to prominence with their blend of music and fashion.
In the front row, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault sat between his wife, Helene Mercier, and NBA basketball player Victor Wembanyama, who was seen tapping his foot to the music.
The show was also attended by Hollywood stars Adrien Brody and Bradley Cooper, K-pop sensations J-Hope and Jackson Wang, and rap legends Travis Scott, J Balvin and Future.
Bahia last walked for Louis Vuitton in October, showcasing their spring/summer collection.
She graced the runway wearing a black jumpsuit with a relaxed, tailored fit and a deep V-neckline, allowing a metallic, iridescent top to peek through underneath. The shiny fabric of the top, visible on the sleeves and chest, contrasted with the matte texture of the jumpsuit.
Beyond the runway, Bahia has also appeared in Louis Vuitton’s campaigns, including the Spring/Summer 2024 campaign released in February 2024.
In the promotional clip, she showcased the brand’s creations, pairing a vibrant orange Dauphine bag crafted from supple leather with an oversized blazer dress featuring multiple buttons.
The look was completed with white stockings and heels.
Tiffany Trump stuns in Zuhair Murad gown during inauguration week
- Tiffany is married to Lebanon-born Michael Boulos
- Married in 2022, they are expecting their first child
DUBAI: Tiffany Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump, turned heads this week in a dress by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad at the Inaugural Candlelight Dinner, hosted at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Traditionally held on the eve of a US presidential inauguration, the black-tie event honors the incoming administration with an evening of celebration and speeches.
For the occasion, Tiffany, who is expecting her first child with husband Michael Boulos, chose a custom, chocolate-brown chiffon gown with an asymmetric one-shoulder neckline, and a cape-like sleeve that flowed dramatically.
The dress was cinched at the waist and highlighted by intricate draped detailing on the bodice.
On Monday morning, Tiffany and Boulos attended services at St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C., a longstanding tradition for incoming presidents and family members.
Later in the day, she joined her family at the swearing-in ceremony, which was held indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold weather.
She also attended the inaugural parade at the Capital One Arena and the inaugural balls that evening.
For the day’s events, she wore a velvet navy-blue coat cinched at the waist, accessorized with minimal jewelry and leather point-toed stiletto boots.
Tiffany and Boulos tied the knot in 2022. For her special day, the bride wore a custom-made Grecian-style gown by Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Elie Saab.
Tiffany chose her wedding dress as a nod to Boulos’ heritage. “It’s a Lebanese-American wedding, so we were so happy to have Elie Saab create the magic,” said mother of the bride Marla Maples at the time, according to People magazine.
Boulos is of Lebanese and French descent and grew up in Lagos where his father, Massad, runs Boulos Enterprises and is the CEO of SCOA Nigeria.
The family is also linked to the world of Hollywood through Michael’s brother Fares, who is an actor and appeared in a 2017 episode of “The Crown.”
Boulos and Tiffany were engaged in January 2021, the day before Trump left office following defeat in the 2020 election.
Camila Alves McConaughey shines in Elie Saab at Riyadh event
DUBAI: Lebanese couturier to the stars Elie Saab took to Instagram to give a shoutout to model Camila Alves McConaughey, who wore the label to the recent concert “Life is a Dream,” led by Hollywood giant Anthony Hopkins in Riyadh.
“@camilamcconaughey attended the ‘Life Is A Dream’ concert composed by Sir Anthony Hopkins with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra alongside her husband Matthew in an ELIE SAAB Spring Summer 2025 look,” the label captioned the Instagram post.
Alves McConaughey, who attended the event with her actor husband Matthew McConaughey, wore a striking yellow gown to the event, with flowing caped sleeves and a plunging neckline.
Meanwhile, US pop sensation Christina Aguilera, who performed at the Joy Awards ceremony over the weekend in Riyadh, also opted for an Elie Saab creation for the first part of her performance.
Aguilera took to the stage in a dramatic burgundy gown from Elie Saab’s Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2024 collection. The glittering gown saw Aguilera channeling old-school 1920s Hollywood glamour. The dress flowed into a feathered train, and she completed the look with a chiffon scarf, draped over her head and shoulders.
The same event saw Alves McConaughey opt for another yellow gown, this time from Oscar de la Renta.
As for the symphony concert, in a captivating blend of art and humanity, Hollywood icon Hopkins graced the Bakr Al-Shaddi Theater in Boulevard City, Riyadh, with a performance titled “Life is a Dream” as part of the Riyadh Season festivities.
Introduced by fellow actor Morgan Freeman, Hopkins opened his speech with the Arabic greeting, “As Salaam o Alaikum,” setting a tone of cultural respect and unity.
Hopkins shared his reflections on life and art, drawing from the words of Edgar Allan Poe: “I have always believed that all we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”
Reflecting on his life, he described the path from “the son of a simple baker” in South Wales to a world-renowned composer and actor.
“My life, to me, is a profound mystery,” he said. “It’s impossible to understand or take credit for the blessings I’ve been given. That’s why I believe life is a dream, and this piece, ‘Life is a Dream,’ was inspired by my dreamy childhood in South Wales, my wonderfully supportive mother and my father, who was larger than life and worked tirelessly throughout his life.”
