Big names in global politics rubbed shoulders with stars from the entertainment elite on Thursday, as US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron for a state dinner at the White House.
Officials from US government congregated with business executives and celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, creating a fashionable spin on the political gathering.
More than 330 guests were also treated to a performance by Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste, who attended with his wife Suleika Jaouad, who looked radiant in a modest yellow gown by Oscar de la Renta. Batiste arrived in a smart tuxedo by American brand Bode.
The theme of the dinner was red, white and blue, a nod to both America and France's flags and "our common values: liberty and democracy, equality and fellowship", Biden said.
The first ladies epitomised the theme in their outfits, with Jill Biden opting for a long-sleeved navy column gown with off-the-shoulder neckline from Oscar de la Renta, which featured lace patterning and nude lining.
Brigitte Macron wore a white turtleneck dress by Louis Vuitton with silver detailing on the waist and neckline.
Both presidents donned classic black tuxedos.
Representing the Mena region's designers was American actress Ariana DeBose, who wore a black floor-length dress with thigh-high slit and asymmetrical black and gold shoulders by Lebanese atelier Tony Ward.
American model Teigen wore a floor-length, loose-fitting silk blush-pink off-the-shoulder gown, designer unknown, with gemstones on her puffed sleeves, while husband Legend also opted for a classic black tux.
Actress Jennifer Garner attended with her daughter Violet Affleck, who marked her 17th birthday on the night. The duo twinned in black dresses, Garner in Ralph Lauren and Affleck in an ankle-length, A-line Carolina Herrera number.
Louis-Dreyfus, who arrived with her son Charles Hall, wore a dark, floor-length velvet dress by Filipino-French designer Monique Lhuillier paired with a Tyler Ellis clutch.
American-Uruguayan fashion designer Gabriela Hearst looked particularly chic in a structured, shoulderless spring/summer 2023 dress from her own collection in black, gold and white with puffed-out sleeves.
Wintour, who sets the world's annual fashion agenda, wore an all-black vintage Chanel look from 1983.
The sophisticated dinner menu, created by White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, included caviar, butter-poached lobster from Maine and orange chiffon cake with creme fraiche ice cream for dessert.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
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- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
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Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
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