Lebanese designers Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Georges Hobeika and more once again ruled the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, one of the last major events before the Oscar Awards on March 2. Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the annual event recognises talents in both film and television and is often considered an indication of what's to come at the Oscars.
Actress Leighton Meester wore a strapless cut-out Elie Saab dress to the event. Accompanied by her husband Adam Brody, who was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy for his role in the series Nobody Wants This, Meester finished her look with a long scarf that dramatically draped down her back. Her olive green look was from Saab's spring/summer 2025 collection.
Kaitlyn Dever, star of Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, also opted for an Elie Saab design. She wore a blush sequinned dress with a similar scarf to Meester adorning her neck. Purple Hearts star Sofia Carson also wore an Elie Saab creation in blush, but hers was more dramatic, featuring an asymmetrical neckline with draped fabric over her shoulder that cinched at waist and flowed into a train.
Jackie Tohn, best known for her role as Esther Roklov, the sister-in-law of Brody's character Noah in Nobody Wants This, wore a design by Georges Hobeika. Tohn wore a crystal-heavy sheer gown in baby blue from the Lebanese fashion house's spring/summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection.
Shrinking star Michael Urie wore a Georges Hobeika suit, featuring the label's signature crystal embellishments, his in the form of embroidered flowers.
Elsewhere, Keri Russell, who was one of the night's presenters, as well as a nominee for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Diplomat, wore a striking black Zuhair Murad dress, which featured a rosette detailing on one shoulder and was cinched at the waist with a belt.
Other Lebanese designers featured on the red carpet included Tony Ward, who dressed Wicked star Marissa Bode, in a dramatic black gown with ornately-sewn beads; and Jean-Louis Sabaji, who dressed TV presenter Erin Lim Rhodes in a pink tulle dress featuring fabric flowers sewn all over.
But it wasn't only Lebanese stars who made a mark, as Saudi label Ashi Studio's striking look on actress Ali Ahn also grabbed attention. The dress, which featured blooms that popped out on either side of the shoulders – almost mimicking a fur coat – included an asymmetrical long-sleeve bustier that was worn with a flowing pleated georgette skirt.
Founded by designer Mohammed Ashi, Ashi Studio is the first designer from the GCC to be invited to join the prestigious Federation de la Haute Couture.
Egyptian designer Marmar Halim, meanwhile, dressed Anna Cathcart, star of Netflix series XO, Kitty. The red strapless gown is pleated throughout and features a side-twisted tail detail.
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Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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A foster couple or family must:
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- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
