Zuhair Murad styles Blake Lively, Nicole Scherzinger

Zuhair Murad styles Blake Lively, Nicole Scherzinger
Blake Lively wore a pink taffeta off-the-shoulder gown. (Getty Images)
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Updated 26 April 2025

Zuhair Murad styles Blake Lively, Nicole Scherzinger

Zuhair Murad styles Blake Lively, Nicole Scherzinger

DUBAI: Lebanese celebrity designer Zuhair Murad made a statement at the 2025 Time 100 Gala this week, with American actress Blake Lively, as well as singer and songwriter Nicole Scherzinger, showcasing his creations on the red carpet.

Lively, who attended the event with her husband Ryan Reynolds, wore a pink taffeta off-the-shoulder gown featuring a corseted bodice and a train detail from Murad’s ready-to-wear spring 2025 collection.

She accessorized her look with emerald earrings, cuffs and jade rings from US jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz.

Lively, who posed on the red carpet with Reynolds and her mother Willie Elain McAlpin, was honored at the event.

She took to the stage to speak about violence against women and paid tribute to her mother, who was seated alongside Reynolds.

Scherzinger, meanwhile, chose a black off-the-shoulder sequin gown from Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-fall 2025 collection.

The 2025 Time 100 Gala was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, celebrating Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people worldwide.

The evening brought together a wide range of leaders, entertainers, athletes and innovators recognized for their contributions across different fields.

The event was hosted by rapper Snoop Dogg, who walked the red carpet with his son and gave special mentions on stage to honorees such as gymnast Simone Biles, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, actress Demi Moore, chemistry Nobel Prize laureate Demis Hassabis and makeup mogul Bobbi Brown.

Other notable honorees in attendance included Scarlett Johansson, Serena Williams and Kristen Bell.

Musical performances were given by fellow honorees Ed Sheeran and Myles Smith.

Murad has been recognized for his detailed craftsmanship in haute couture and bridal fashion.

Since founding his brand in 1997, he has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Stewart and Johansson on major red carpets.

He is one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.

Murad made headlines this week for dressing Egyptian actress Laila Ahmed Zaher on her wedding day.

She wore a fitted, high-neck gown with long sleeves, adorned with intricate lace embroidery throughout. The form-fitting silhouette was paired with a detachable voluminous tulle overskirt.


Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan star in boxing film ‘Giant’ to open fifth edition of RSIFF

Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan star in boxing film ‘Giant’ to open fifth edition of RSIFF
Updated 05 November 2025

Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan star in boxing film ‘Giant’ to open fifth edition of RSIFF

Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan star in boxing film ‘Giant’ to open fifth edition of RSIFF
  • Shivani Pandya Malhotra: This year we have 15 films supported by the Red Sea Fund, with six official submissions for the Academy Awards
  • Fionnuala Halligan: This is a festival for everyone; it’s really inclusive. From films for families and children to mature themes, the lineup represents a global cinematic conversation

JEDDAH: British Indian filmmaker Rowan Athale’s “Giant,” the boxing biopic starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan, is set to open the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The festival held a press conference on Nov. 4 at Culture Square in Al-Balad to announce the lineup and major highlights of the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-13.

Returning with the theme “For the Love of Cinema,” this year’s edition promises more than 100 films from , the Arab world, Asia and Africa, alongside exclusive screenings, industry initiatives and a renewed focus on women filmmakers and global collaborations.

Faisal Baltyuor, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Every year our priority is to connect with the public and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. This year we’ve introduced a dedicated space where filmmakers can meet audiences, along with a special area for children to experience cinema.

“The festival’s slogan truly reflects its foundation, nurturing passion and creativity from an early age. Through our new program, Rising Talents — The Voices of Tomorrow, we’re empowering young storytellers aged 10-16 across regions like Jazan, Makkah, Qassim and others. We’ve already received remarkable films, and it’s inspiring to see such quality and vision emerging from across the Kingdom.”

Shivani Pandya Malhotra, managing director of the RSIFF, expressed pride in the festival’s growth and impact, particularly through the Red Sea Souk, and said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve built in the market. The souk is now prominent regionally and globally. This year we have 15 films supported by the Red Sea Fund, with six official submissions for the Academy Awards. We’re also showcasing 37 women filmmakers from France to Taiwan and Palestine to Kenya, reflecting true diversity.”

She added that the souk was involved in 40 projects in development and production, and eight series in collaboration with Film Independent.

Fionnuala Halligan, director of international programs at the Red Sea Film Foundation, and who has joined the festival team for the first time this year, described the lineup as rich and wide-ranging.

She added: “This is a festival for everyone; it’s really inclusive. From films for families and children to mature themes, the lineup represents a global cinematic conversation.”

Among the key announcements, the RSIFF revealed its newly updated Red Sea Film Festival app, offering a seamless, eco-friendly digital experience.

The Arab Spectacular program will feature regional titles including “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir; Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “Unidentified”; and “A Matter of Life and Death” by Anas Ba-Tahaf.

The International Spectacular will present global premieres such as “Couture” starring Angelina Jolie, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” “Scarlet,” “Farruquito — A Flamenco Dynasty,” and “Desert Warrior,” which was filmed in .