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Styled Archives: Ragaa El Gedawy’s Most Memorable Moments

While we all know and love Ragaa El Gedawy for her many memorable on-screen performances, it is perhaps a lesser known fact that the star once turned heads on the runway.

Ziyad El-Helbawy
Aug 15, 2024
Styled Archives: Ragaa El Gedawy’s Most Memorable Moments

Born in 1934, Ragaa El Gedawy was a masterclass in elegance and class. A household name, she was deeply loved and respected by those who had the pleasure of experiencing her work. El Gedawy was one of the most prominent stars in modern history, acting alongside luminaries such as Omar Sharif, Soad Hosny, Ismail Yassine, and Shadia, among many others of similar renown.

Less known is the fact that El Gedawy was once immersed in the world of fashion. In 1958, El Gedawy won the regional title of Miss Egypt, and in 1959, at the onset of her career, she won a low-key modelling competition, which led to her being scouted by Greek-Egyptian designer Pierre Klofass. Gedawy thus became the very first model of Egyptian origin in an industry dominated then by European beauty standards. She went on to model his creations and participate in numerous shows, establishing herself as a fashion icon. Even as her modelling career took a backseat to her flourishing acting career, her influence in fashion endured.

For this week’s Styled Archives, we’re turning back time to look at Ragaa El Gedawy’s most memorable looks, whether on the runway, the red carpet, or behind the silver screen.

With Um Kalthoum | Circa 1960

At the very start of her modelling career, El Gedawy walked the catwalk myriad times, yet two of those times, ‘Kawkab Al Sharq’ herself, Um Kalthoum, was present. During both times, El Gedawy would coincidentally be wearing colourful print dresses.

‏With Safaa Abou El Soud | Circa 1970

Serving class in animal print, Ragaa El Gedawy looked every bit the elegant icon she is alongside fellow star Safaa Abou El Soud. 

On the Cover of ‘Hawa’ Magazine | 1964

For the May 1964 edition of ‘Hawa’ Magazine, Ragaa El Gedawy graced the covers. Pictured in turquoise attire by the beach, Geddawy looked like she was living the American dream…Well, Egyptian actually.

In ‘Ishae’et Hob’ Alongside Omar Sharif | 1960

One of her very first cinematic roles, Gedawy starred in ‘Ishae’et Hob’ alongside Omar Sharif and Soad Hosny. Donning a thin-strap polka dot dress, Gedawy’s character shared a dance with Sharif’s in one of their scenes together, later shaming Sharif’s character for his lack of dance talent.

Photoshoot at the Giza Plateau | 1959

Captured in one of her earlier shoots, Gedawy posed for the shutters at the Giza plateau, wearing a thin-strap silk dress with an animal print bodice. 

In Traditional Egyptian Folk Wear | Circa 1960

In early the 1960s during one of her modelling shows, El Gedawy wore a traditional Egyptian folk dress and headdress, resulting in a look quite different from what the rising model had thus far presented. 

Alongside Fellow Egyptian Model Madiha Hassan | Circa 1960

Dressed like a marble-carved statue of a Greek Goddess, Gedawy donned a form-fitting dress cinched at the waist, fit for a Hollywood starlet. 

At The Aswan International Women Film Festival | 2020

In the fourth edition of the Aswan International Women Film Festival in 2020, Ragaa El Gedawy was honoured for her contribution to Egyptian cinema. Gedawy accepted the award in a minimalistic black dress, accentuated with a glimmering cape with star cut-outs. This public appearance would be amongst Gedawy’s last, seeing as she would pass away later in 2020. 

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