Vogue Arabia [IG] continues its pursuit of excellence with the release of five covers in the September 2023 ‘Once upon a STYLE’ issue.

The model trio on the first cover includes left to right: Iran’s Farnoush Hamidian, Spain’s Aouatif Saadi and Tunisia’s Myriem Boukadida, photographed at Disneyland Paris by London-based Desiree Mattsson [IG] with creative and fashion direction by Amine Jreissati./ Makeup by Linda Wickman; hair by Simon Chossier

Describing herself as a “righteous daughter of Kuwait”, actor Haya Abdulsalem blooms in yellow on her 1 of 5 covers for the September 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia. The Kuwaiti actor is fresh off major success in her gripping Netflix series ‘The Devils Advocate’.

Mohammad Hazem Rezq styles Abdulsalem in images by Sam Rawadi [IG]./ Makeup by Sara Yunis; hair by Kavya

While embracing her Kuwaiti heritage, Abdulsalem also speaks candidly in a universal sentiment that most creative and progressive-thinking global women understand.

“Some male artists are jealous of successful female artists who were able to surpass them. I have noticed this with some actors and directors,” the star shares.

Meet Arabia’s Queen of Comedy Esaad Younes on her Vogue Arabia September ‘Once upon a STYLE’ September 2023 cover, lensed by JABE [IG] and styling by Seba El Mawawi. The TV presenter, writer/producer has a major resume. You can read it here. /Makeup by Kasia Domanska; hair by Deena Alawaid

"Why do I always say that I’m the most beautiful ‘girl’ in Egypt? To help women break free of the tiny box that they’re placed in as soon as they turn 40," Younes explains.

Looking divine in a bejeweled headpiece, the actor-presenter-author makes her Vogue debut styled as never seen before, while discussing highlights like her outstanding career, but also patriotism, and the importance of having a positive self-image at any age.

Iranian model Farnoush Hamidian has the universal story that AOC embraces. As far back as 2010, AOC was delivering digital press for the “greens” in Iran, while protesting the brutal flogging of women in Sudan, most notably Lubna Hussein.

Anne sounds like a broken record with my constant praise, but I so admire the editorial finesse of Vogue Arabia EIC Manuel Arnaut [IG] — even when I don’t agree with him. He understand his cultural and political landscape far better than I do. Watching Arnaut in action has given me more than one editorial lesson to consider.

[Chuckle] I don’t know anyone who describes a woman as a “true phoenix” rising from the ashes except Anne and Arnaut. The beautiful Farnoush Hamidian has such a life story, and the EIC writes:

A true phoenix, Farnoush has risen from the ashes time and again — first when she was captured by Iran’s morality police for not wearing her veil ‘correctly’, and a year later, when she was raped by three intelligence service officers. Now, she has her eyes set on living her dream. “What I want to do is to be the definition of a supermodel,” she shares. “My modeling career has been a rollercoaster, with mental and physical challenges that no one can even begin to imagine. But I love what I do so I am not going anywhere.”

To the extent that AOC can be of benefit, we will help Farnoush Hamidian reach her goals, being both familiar and emotionally impacted by her story.

The model is photographed by Desiree Mattsson, wearing Stephane Rolland, with creative and fashion direction by Amine Jreissati. / Hair by Simon Chossier; makeup by Linda Wickman

The last cover is Arnaut’s so-called ‘Trump card’, Tunisian beauty Myriem Boukadida.

Her proudest achievement to date is her appointment as Ambassador of Tunisia for Traditional Dress by the country’s Ministry of Culture.

“My goal is to always represent the Arab world and the Arab region, the Arab woman, and everything that's around that,” the 24-year-old rising star says. “I've always had to explain to people my origins, where I come from, what language I speak, which is honestly kind of sad. But that's why I'm doing this, because I want to represent my country.”