SELECTS: Stepping Onto the Red Carpet with Stylist Mariam El Kholy

CairoScene

04-07-2025

In this week's Scene Selects, she takes us through the pieces she'd style for a night that calls for a little drama—and a lot of personality.
Stylist and self-described artist Mariam El Kholy dresses people by building a mood. At 27, she's styled a stacked roster of brands - Okhtein, Bvlgari, Shahira Lasheen, Carolina Herrera, Zimmermann, Fatma Mostafa, Rigash - and dressed some of Egypt's most prominent faces, including Yasmina El Abd, Hanan Motawie, Rania Mansour, and Mai Yackout. She's also one half of a dreamy visual duo with photographer Sarah Lasheen. 'We always work together because we just get each other's vision.'
Though she originally studied product design, El Kholy later took fashion communication and styling courses at Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion - and hasn't looked back. 'I thought I wanted to be a designer at first,' she says. 'But styling gave me a much broader creative space. I fell in love with the process.'
Her styling leans avant-garde and experimental, while her personal style is more pared-back and refined. When it comes to designers, she doesn't hesitate: Alaïa, McQueen, Dior, YSL, Mugler. 'My favourite brands constantly change depending on the art director. Each one brings out a different side of the brand.' Right now, she's drawn to Sarah Burton's McQueen, Pieter Mulier at Alaïa, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe, and Matthieu Blazy's Bottega.
Fashion, for El Kholy, was never a phase. She grew up on McQueen, Alaïa, Dior, and a mother with sharp taste. 'My mom was my biggest inspiration,' she says. 'She's the reason I fell in love with fashion so early on.'
At her core, she treats styling as an art form. 'My work is diverse, but my specialty is editorial and celebrity styling.' Which makes her a natural fit for this week's Selects, where she pulls looks for red carpets and film festivals - aka what she does best.
Look One | Opening Ceremony at El Gouna Film Festival (GFF)
'What I love about GFF is that you can be more experimental– while still keeping it elegant,' she says. 'For this look, I'd do a perfect hair bun with 2 side bands by Rizk, and soft dewy glam makeup by Sally Rashid.'
Sara Mrad | Seline Blue Dress
Tiffany | Out Of The Blue Star Urchin Earrings
Jimmy Choo | Love 85 Crystal Embellished Mesh Pumps
Judith Leiber | Cotton Candy Macaron Mini Bag
Look Two | Film Premiere in For El Gouna Film Festival (GFF)
'I have a penchant for fun silhouettes, intricate embroidery, elements from nature and fabrics that move with you,' she describes her stylistic approach. 'For a film premiere at GFF, I'd do a mermaid hair look by Silvia Bernaba and a signature makeup look by Kiki.'
Kaf By Kaf | Flower Embroidery Set Cartier | Tuttii Frutti Watch & Ring
Rene Caovilla | Ellabrita Pearl Grey Sandal
Guerlain | Aqua Allegoria Forte Mandarine Basilic Forte
Gisou | Honey Infused Hair Oil
Look Three: First Day of Red Sea Film Festival
'The Red Sea Film Festival calls for something bold, so I put together a look that is both royal and striking.'
Salma Osman | Black Dress
Bvlgari | Serpenti Eterna Bvlgari Necklace
Pat McGrath Labs | Mothership VII Divine Rose Eyeshadow Palette
Judith Leiber | Pink Peony Bag
De Marly | Delina Exclusif Perfume
Look Four | Closing Ceremony of Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF)
'For me, CIFF is all about looking graceful, effortless, and one of a kind,' El Kholy explains.
Schiaparelli | Spring'25 Gold Dress
Cartier | Jewelry | Art Deco Ribbon Diamond Necklace
Roberto Cavalli | Fang Heel Black Pumps
Sabry Marouf | The Vessel Bag
Dior | Ambre Nuit Perfume
Look Five | Afternoon Appearance For Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF)
'I love contrast. My styling work is all about experimentation, more avant-garde. Here, a cool bronze makeup look by Hindash would be perfect.'
Schiaparelli | Black Set
Azza Fahmy | Red Ruby Saada Earrings And Necklace
Okhtein X Beymen | Golden Opulence Bag
Amina Muaddi | Anok Mule 105
Look Six | Awards Ceremony at Saudi Arabia'sn Joy Awards
'This look screams bedazzled and opulent. Nothing subtle here—my Joy Awards pick is all about showing up and owning it,' she reveals. 'The perfect finishing touch? Blowout hair with a side bang.'
Armani Prive | Spring'25 Purple Dress
Carlo Joaillier | Jewelry
Amouage | Guidance Perfume
Dior | Rouge Blush Color and Glow Palette | 287 Dioramour
Colour Wow | Flat Hair Volumizer Extra Large
Saint Laurent | Norma 90 Pumps