Everything Egyptian Stylist Yasmine Kenawi Wore on Her Big Day
Each of the stylist’s bridal looks was crafted by Syrian designer Elias Riga, all guided by one distinct vision: royalty.
Set at the historic Mohamed Ali Palace, Egyptian stylist Yasmine Kenawi’s wedding was nothing short of a royal affair. The celebration unfolded against the grandeur of the 19th-century palace, with a series of looks that highlighted Kenawi’s distinctive eye for style.
Over the course of the wedding, Kenawi unveiled three bridal looks, all created by Syrian designer Elias Riga. From her regal entrance to the dinner reception and the lively afterparty, each outfit reflected a different facet of her personality and style ethos. The creative vision was brought to life through custom designs and subtle details that combined the contemporary and the classic. Even amid the splendor of Mohamed Ali Palace, Kenawi’s bridal fashion remained the centrepiece of the celebration.
LOOK ONE | The Grand Entrance
The first look set the tone for the entire event - majestic, ethereal and timeless. “When I was designing Yasmine’s first look, I wanted to bring her character to life,” Syrian designer Elias Riga tells SceneStyled. “Like the gown, she’s regal and romantic, yet still sensual and modern. The balance is Yasmine.”
The gown was created around a vision of royalty and romance, emphasised through intricate lacework and a stunning veil. “The veil was where it all started,” Riga explains. “It took me seven days to design and three days of handwork. I crafted it to feel like a halo around her.”
The veil was a standout element, its grandeur symbolizing Kenawi’s royal entrance. Riga’s design vision for the veil was to create a soft, ethereal look that surrounded Kenawi’s body. “When Kenawi saw the final look of the veil, she cried,” Riga recalls.
The bodice is sculpted and adorned with intricate lace that flows seamlessly into a mermaid silhouette, accentuating the contours of the body. Subtle pleating and delicate embroidery create a sense of texture and movement, while a plunging, structured V-shaped detail in the neckline introduces contemporary sophistication to the gown.
LOOK TWO | The Dinner Reception
The second look was all about subtlety. Riga wanted to maintain the essence of the first look while introducing a softer, freer element for the dinner reception. “I aimed to create a soft transition between the first and second looks,” Riga tells SceneStyled. “The skirt from the first look remained the same, with only the corset changed, featuring very subtle draping.”
This gown was designed to flow freely, evoking fluidity and elegance, with its sheer, ruched fabric, delicately embellished with lace appliqué. The off-the-shoulder, sweetheart neckline showcases the décolletage, while the long, sheer sleeves add a hint of romance. The mermaid silhouette gracefully traces the contours of the body before gently flaring out. “This gown is all about movement and freedom,” Riga says.
LOOK THREE | The Afterparty
The third look was a bold, striking departure from the previous two. “This one was a shocking shift from the previous looks,” says Riga. “It’s 1920s Great Gatsby with a bridal twist.” Kenawi had described her vision for the afterparty look simply as ‘avant-garde’, and Riga executed it perfectly.
This dress is crafted from a shimmering, sheer ivory fabric adorned with intricate beadwork and sequins, leading to a sparkling and textured effect. The fitted silhouette hugs the figure, complemented by a halter neckline with layered beaded detailing that draws attention to the collarbone.
“The cape is what transformed the nightlife-inspired dress into something bridal,” says Riga. The voluminous cape around the arms adds a dramatic and couture-inspired touch, trailing behind Kenawi in an elegant sweep.
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Dec 11, 2024