Have you read them all?
We are just days away from the end of 2019 and the start of a new decade. This past year has been nothing short of spectacular for Arab talent from the big screen to fashion to music and more.
This year we have seen more Arab women break through the glass celling as Princess Reema became Saudi’s first female ambassador to the US. We have also seen Lebanese director Nadine Labaki represent the Arab world at major award shows like the Oscars. And of course, Middle Eastern designers helped to further put the region on the fashion map, with countless celebrities dressing from established and up-an-coming brand.
The top 10 most-read stories on Emirates Woman from 2019:
10 – These four Emirati women are on Forbes’ Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands list
View this post on Instagram
style=”color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;”>A post shared by Ahlam Alshamsi (@ahlamalshamsi) on
For the first time ever, American business magazine, Forbes has released a Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands power-list.The magazine’s inaugural list was compromised of 60 women, four of whom are Emirati. Click the link above to find out which local women represented the United Arab Emirates.
9 – Emirati champion Zahra Lari on how figure skating transformed her
View this post on Instagram
Our June cover-star Zahra Lari has become one of the most discussed female athletes of today. Not only was she the world’s first figure skater to compete in a hijab, but she is also UAE’s first figure skater to participate in the winter qualifications last year.
In Nike’s latest Dream Crazier campaign, the five-time UAE Ice Skating National Champion shares her story on how she is paving the way for the next generation of female athletes.
8 – This Lebanese shoe designer is quickly becoming Hollywood’s favourite
View this post on Instagram
Middle Eastern designers have been breaking into Hollywood more often than before, and we have seen some of the industry’s biggest names champion household names like Elie Saab to more up-and-coming labels like L’afshar. Now, Lebanese shoe desginer, Andrea Wazen and her designs are getting their time in the limelight, as several celebrities were spotted in her pieces this year.
7 – Queen Rania released a rare statement to address wardrobe rumours
View this post on Instagram
Earlier this year, one of our favourite style icons Queen Rania released a rare statement addressing criticism of her wardrobe. The Jordanian Royal’s office shot down rumours concerning the prices of the pieces that she wears, after a fashion website released a blog regarding the cost of her closet.
6 – Meghan Markle paid tribute to Prince Harry and Archie through her jewellery
View this post on Instagram
Meghan Markle and jewellery are two staples of 2019, so it comes as no surprise that a combination of both made it to the top 10. In a recent public appearance, the Duchess of Sussex was seen wearing two necklaces from Canadian brand, Suetables, one representing Prince Harry and the other representing their son, Archie.
5 – Kylie Jenner championed this Kuwaiti designer in the new KUWTK promo shoot
View this post on Instagram
One of the standout designers of 2019 is Kuwait’s Yousef El Jasmi. The Khaleeji designer, known for his love for all that sparkles has an impressive clientele, but his biggest fan has got to be Kylie Jenner, who championed the designer on numerous occasions.
4 – See inside Elie Saab Junior and Christina Mourad’s stunning Lebanese wedding
View this post on Instagram
This year, the region witnessed a star-studded wedding when famed designer Elie Saab’s son wed Christina Mourad. The bride walked down the aisle Elie Saab haute couture gown that took 450 hours to make and included a 4.5m long train.
3 – The female cast of Netflix’s Jinn on Empowerment, Expectations and Experiences
View this post on Instagram
This year was another big one for Arabic television content, as streaming giant Netflix released their first Arabic original series. In anticipation for the series, Emirates Woman sat with the two female stars of the show to learn more about what became a highly controversial series.
2 – Get your winter wardrobe sorted with Sandro’s Fall 2019 collection
View this post on Instagram
Reminiscent of 80s fashion, our review of Sandro’s fall ’19 collection was a hit. The line is all you need to upgrade your winter closet.
1- Meet Fai Abu Khadra, the Palestinian mystery man in Kendall Jenner’s instagram
View this post on Instagram
Kendall Jenner is one of the most in-demand models with a high following, so it comes as no surprise that people are entranced with her personal life. The 24-year-old leads a very private life in comparison to her sisters and was recently romantically linked to Fai Abu Khadra, her Palestinian best friend.
Image: Instagram
