Lebanese model Nour Arida scoops Arab Women of The Year Award in London 

Arida wore a custom-made green figure-hugging velvet dress. (Instagram)
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Updated 17 March 2023
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Lebanese model Nour Arida scoops Arab Women of The Year Award in London 

DUBAI: Lebanese model and influencer Nour Arida on Thursday received the Arab Women of The Year award at an event that took place in London. 

The event, hosted by London Arabia Organization, recognizes the achievements of Arab women across the globe.

“So Grateful! Just been awarded the Arab Women of The Year Award in London,” Arida wrote to her 11 million followers on Instagram, sharing a series of images from the event. 
“This award for me is yet another promise that I will continue to lend my voice to every woman undergoing any sort of violence and to do the best I can to help fight for their rights.” 

Arida, who is signed with Elite Models Paris agency, wore a custom-made green figure-hugging velvet dress with a plunging neckline by Lebanese designer Karoline Lang. 

For her accessories, she wore jewelry from Parisian luxury label Chaumet. 

Her celebrity friends quickly took to Instagram to congratulate the star including Lebanese actress Cynthia Samuel, Danish stylish and influencer Pernille Teisbaek, Saudi social media star Alanoud Badr, Iraqi content creator Noor Stars and more. 

The 33-year-old Paris-based model and social media influencer has years of fashion experience under her belt. 

She worked with international brands including French fine jewelry label Boucheron, LVMH-owned French cosmetics brand Makeup Forever, British beauty label Rimmel and much more. 

The blogger was appointed Boucheron’s global brand spokesperson in 2020. She joined other international stars who have lent their faces to the high-end jewelry maison, such as US actress Kate Winslet and French model Laetitia Cast, to front key campaigns and act as a muse for future collections.

Arida, who fronted a number of magazine covers, attended multiple fashion weeks in New York, Milan, Paris and more. She also made head-turning appearances at film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. 

Before becoming a successful fashion blogger and designer, Arida worked as a buyer and brand manager for a number of prestigious fashion labels, including Rag & Bone, Zimmermann, Theory, Vince, J-Brand and Frame Denim, among others.


Will Smith brings ‘Pole to Pole’ docu-series to Dubai for Middle East premiere

Updated 12 January 2026
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Will Smith brings ‘Pole to Pole’ docu-series to Dubai for Middle East premiere

  • Star takes part in live onstage Q&A session alongside Allison Fong, Richard Parks, Bryan Fry

DUBAI: Global star Will Smith walked the blue carpet in Dubai on Monday for the Middle East’s premiere of National Geographic’s “Pole to Pole with Will Smith,” marking the regional launch of his seven-part global exploration series.

The event was held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City Dubai, the region’s first net-zero emissions building, and brought together government officials, regional celebrities, content creators and sustainability advocates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Following a private screening of the first episode, Smith took part in a live onstage Q&A session alongside Allison Fong, Richard Parks and Bryan Fry, three of the experts involved in the series.

Five years in the making, the cinematic docuseries follows Smith’s travels from the ice fields of Antarctica to the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, African deserts, Pacific islands, and the Arctic, exploring both extreme environments and the people who study and protect them.

L-R: Explorers Richard Parks, Bryan Fry, and Allison Fong with Will Smith. (Supplied)

Faris Saeed, the founder and chairman of SEE Holding, said the series “reminds us that progress is not only about how advanced we become, but by how deeply we remain connected to our humanity and our planet,” adding that future cities must bring people and nature closer together.

The premiere was produced by KS Konnect, the strategic consultancy founded by Kris Fade and Sarah Omolewu.

Sarah Omolewu, co-founder of KS Konnect and Will Smith. (Supplied)

Omolewu said hosting the event in Dubai was “deeply meaningful” and reflected both the city’s status as a cultural hub and Smith’s commitment to purpose-driven storytelling.

“Pole to Pole with Will Smith” will air on National Geographic on Jan. 13 at 8 p.m., on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on Jan. 14 at 9 p.m., and will be available to stream on Disney+ from Jan. 14.