Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father

Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father
Jessica Kahawaty has launched her own fine jewelry brand, Kahawaty Jewels, alongside her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 May 2025

Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father

Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father

DUBAI: Lebanese Australian model and entrepreneurJessica Kahawaty this week launched her own fine jewelry brand, Kahawaty Jewels, alongside her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty.

Based in Dubai, the brand is a continuation of their family’s long-standing tradition in jewelry craftsmanship.




Kahawaty Jewels debuted with the Octagon collection, a design inspired by the number eight, which holds deep family significance, Jessica said. (Supplied)

“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Jessica told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”

For Jessica, building the brand with her father has been a meaningful journey. “He’s the only man I trust when it comes to diamonds and jewelry. He has an impeccable eye for detail and quality,” she added. “He has the most incredible craftsmanship. So, I learned so much from him, and launching this with my father feels like a true partnership.”

Kahawaty Jewels debuted with the Octagon collection, a design inspired by the number eight, which holds deep family significance, Jessica said. Jessica was born and her father took over the family business in 1988. The eight-sided motif also symbolizes infinity, Jessica added.

Jessica describes the brand’s aesthetic as “incredibly timeless, yet modern and wearable.” She added: “It is for the woman who loves craftsmanship and loves to feel like she’s wearing jewelry that stands out yet, you know, she can kind of keep it for many years to come.”




Based in Dubai, the brand is a continuation of their family’s long-standing tradition in jewelry craftsmanship. (Supplied)

Beyond the Octagon collection, Kahawaty Jewels features additional lines such as Art Deco, Floral and Classic collections, offering a variety of engagement rings, glitzy necklaces and tennis bracelets. Each piece is crafted with GIA-certified natural diamonds sourced globally and produced in ateliers across Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The approach focuses on offering detailed consultations and explaining the craftsmanship behind each piece, reflecting the brand’s family-run nature, Jessica said.


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 .