If you’re one of her 1.4 million Insta followers, you’ll know that 39-year-old Egyptian actress Arwa Gouda has a deep fondness for travel. Between vaycay hotspots and envy-inducing filming locales, Arwa circumnavigates the globe from London to Romania and Beirut to Dubai, posting tantalising style inspo from every stop.
Highlighting her jetset lifestyle, she was part of the judging panel for the 2017 International Emmy Awards Competition hosted in Abu Dhabi, which chooses the regional nominees to be announced at the International Emmy Awards Gala in New York City. Having starred in films and TV shows such as Zai Enaharda, Khotoot Hamra and Gezira 2, and recently seen on our screens in Ramadan’s Abu Omar Al Masry TV series, Arwa understands the importance of looking the part – be it on screen or off the grid.
Whilst embracing the beauty of being happy and focusing on within, and before taking some time off this summer to refresh and refocus, Bazaar gets the lowdown on living the high life the Arwa way...
PACKING
Capsule wardrobe or excess luggage Excess luggage; I can never make up my mind and you never know what you’ll need. Vaycay style The most important thing for me while travelling is feeling comfortable whilst looking good. If I travel for a festival, I try to keep the designers as Egyptian as possible to help promote local designers, especially now that there are so many up-and-coming talents in Egypt. Bikini or one-piece Always a bikini. There’s a Brazilian brand called Salinas that I love. Shop local or global To be honest, I only really shop when I need something.
Arwa wears: Caped Top, Kojak Studio and Vartan Diamond Earrings
IN-FLIGHT
Do you have an in-flight routine? I usually sleep and watch a lot of movies, especially if it’s a longer flight. Luggage style Usually Samsonite, and Bvlgari for carry-on. Carry-on essentials I literally put everything in my handbag – and always a spare change of clothes if I know I’ll have a stopover. In-flight entertainment Loads of movies!
Arwa wears: Life In Plastic Vest from Lou By Hebatullah
TRAVEL
Earliest holiday memory It was when I went to France with my family when I was six years old. We flew on Concorde, which was pretty amazing, and I remember waking up and seeing the Eiffel Tower from our hotel room window. I also remember my father adopting the French lifestyle and feeding us croissants and jam for breakfast! Travel is... My life. I love travelling around Egypt, as I like our beaches and I always avoid crowded places because I like calmer holidays. Most memorable vacation Greece last year when I had a reunion with my friends at a wedding on Serifos, a beautiful island that hasn’t been commercialised. I love Greek people and the food is amazing. If I was given the choice to have a another house somewhere, it would be Greece. Dream destination Japan – there’s so much technology and culture.
Arwa wears: Trouser suit, Dhs2,875, Kojak Studio. Sunglasses, Dhs2,050, VNTG. Earrings, Dhs355; rings, from Dhs100, Indira Jewellery
DESTINATIONS
Top spot for a relaxing holiday Nuweiba in Sinai – you can hear the Red Sea when you go to sleep because you’re usually in an eco-lodge. It’s beautiful and magical. Fave cultural holiday Turkey to play tabla. I basically follow music and dance! Beach or city Definitely beach. Vaycay activities Poi spinning and playing music, especially tabla, because I’ve been playing it since I was 12 years old.
Outfit as above. Jacket, Dhs1,130, Kojak Studio
STAYCATION
Holiday on home turf Nuweiba. Hidden travel gem in Egypt Siwa oasis and the desert outside Nuweiba. Top tourist tips for visiting Egypt Well, you’ve got to visit the Pyramids, take a Felucca ride along the Nile and visit the beaches in Marsa Alam. I’d also recommend going to the Underwater Museum in Alexandria, and having lunch at Abou El Sid restaurant in El Gouna.
Arwa wears: Trouser suit, Salem Alta Moda and Indira Jewellery from Dhs350 to Dhs185
LIVING THE LIFESTYLE
Country with the best food in the world Turkey or Greece. Fave cuisine Italian. Best night-out hot spots Any party by Nacelle. Dream vaycay day Wake up in Turkey have breakfast by the Bosphorous; spend the day on a beach on one of the hundreds of islands in the Philippines; lunch in Indonesia; followed by sunset in the Seychelles; and dinner in the mountains of Switzerland while it’s snowing outside and I’m sitting by a log fire.
Production: Maison Pyramide.
Photography: Malak El Sawi.
Photography assistants: Zeinab and Laila El Tawil.
Art Direction: Alia Dessouki.
Stylist: Nour Bayadi.
Stylng assistant: Farah Shamala.
Hair: Al Sagheer Salons.
Make-up: Diana Harby.
Project Manager: Dorothy Chakra.
Locations: El Gouna Airport and G Space
Via Harper's Bazaar Arabia July/ August 2018 Issue
