We are thrilled to introduce you to the ninth annual edition of Harper’s Bazaar Best Dressed, in which we celebrate the enduring style of women from this region and those that call the Middle East home. The beauty of this book is in capturing the true essence of what makes a woman stylish. It goes far beyond the clothes she wears – it’s an attitude, a confidence, a certain je ne sais quoi defined by herself only. Within these pages, style knows no bounds and each of the 30 women photographed is testament to the fact that the real beauty of ‘best dressed’ lies in a marriage between strength, substance and sartorial savoir-faire. Let these individuals inspire you, as they have us, as we move towards a future that celebrates women in all their captivating guises.
Rosemin Manji
Editorial/Brand Consultant
The definition of true style is... “Elegance with a modern touch.”
Who best embodies that? “Queen Rania of Jordan.”
Whose wardrobe would you love to raid? “Aerin Lauder’s.”
Secret to growing old stylishly: “Invest in good fabrics and cuts.”
Who would you most like to meet? “Oprah, Oprah, Oprah!”
Regional designers on your radar: “Azzi & Osta for gowns and Iam Mai for kaftans and abayas.”
Rosemin Manji
Rula Tayara
Producer
Definition of ‘best dressed’: “It’s a personal sense of style that makes a woman feel confident and comfortable. It’s about incorporating style in every aspect of your life, from what you wear to work, to picking up your kids, to dinner with your husband...”
The Arab aesthetic is... “A timeless cross between what is old and what is new, and I love seeing women embrace modern minimalism with traditional conservatism. It’s something nobody else in the world does as well.”
Woman you’d most like to work with? “Amal Clooney, because I think she’d provide a very interesting perspective on human rights, as a Lebanese barrister living in London.”
Rula Tayara
Teresa Karpinska
Stylist
Best Dressed 2018 highlight? “Walking into some of the women’s dressing rooms that would put Mariah Carey’s to shame!”
What did you learn? “That a smile and a positive attitude is a priceless accessory.”
Definition of ‘best dressed’: “It should be organic, effortless and in line with one’s personality, as clothing is an extension of who you are.”
What do you love about the Arab aesthetic: “The attention to detail and vivid colours.”
Teresa Karpinska
Christos Tsamadias
Photographer
Favourite 2018 shoot? “Sandy Maaz in the sand house. The contrast, composition and colours are amazing.”
What did you learn? “That all women are different and unique in their own way.”
Advice for women in front of the camera? “There’s no need to try too hard. Just be yourself.”
Insta inspo: @luigiandiango, @alexilubomirski and @harpersbazaarjapan
Christos Tsamadias
Elaine Lloyd-Jones
Writer
What did you take away from Best Dressed 2018? “Anything goes! Unabashed luxury, avant-garde fashion, heritage-inspired style... As long as you dress in a way that is true to yourself, you’ll dress successfully.”
Which women inspired you the most? “I admire women who dress confidently without labels. Nadia Gohar stood out for her distinct sense of style; Paula Al Askari as someone who excels at going against the grain – she doesn’t do fashion yet has a remarkable sense of style; Shayma Nawaf Fawwaz who gets sheer joy just from the act of getting dressed...”
Insta inspo: “For style, @lucywilliams02, for interiors @designmilk, and for flowers, @floretflower.”
Elaine Lloyd-Jones
Richard Hall
Photographer
What did you learn from Best Dressed 2018? “The need to understand the type of person you are shooting to compliment their personality.”
Favourite image? “Definitely Roxie Nafousi’s shoot against the collapsing hot air balloon, which made such an abstract and surreal backdrop.”
What do you love most about photographing Best Dressed? “I enjoy shooting women whose style pushes new boundaries, and on top of that those who are pushing their own cultural boundaries.”
From the Harper's Bazaar Arabia Best Dressed 2018 Book
