Cinematic Season Style Guide with GFF's Salma Malhas & Hayat Aljowaily

El Gouna Film Festival is all about the flashbulbs and red carpet, but the real story is the people sprinting between panels and afters to make the magic happen.

Salma Malhas, Jordanian actress and multidisciplinary artist, usually faces the lens, but she’s equally at home behind the scene, moving from Netflix sets to the Amman Film Festival and the African Film Festival in New York. Her vibe is cool-girl comfy with a playful, retro twist – think a bias-cut slip grounded by lived-in sneakers, or cargo trousers with a soft, body-skimming tank that hugs like a jersey. There’s a sporty-femme energy ease to it all: she dresses for the momentum, hands free, hair loose, and her favourite Johnny Farah bulk bag swallowing all her essentials. On Salma, cozy reads chic where the off-duty becomes the point.

Hayat Aljowaily, Egyptian cultural programer and creative producer, thrives in that behind-the-scenes blur, from coordinating the Egyptian pavilion at Cannes to Kalam Aflam cultural gatherings to steering the Cinegouna Emerge team in Gouna. Comfort isn’t a luxury, it’s her uniform. Built from a patchwork of styling tips and pieces borrowed from friends and family – grandma’s layered vintage jewellery, a cousin’s dress reimagined, a borrowed jacket that’s been to more festivals than most films – she carries her people wherever she goes. “Not a fashion girlie,” she laughs, but festival dressing lets her play: a soft return to her beloved 2000s, slip dresses with oversized knits, low-waisted concho belts over slouchy tees, switching characters as the day demands.

Together, as they loop the El Gouna's plaza coordinating the Cinegouna Emerge program – from panels to quick bites to whatever after-party finds them, their style respects the schedule. Every outfit is designed to be camera-ready in daylight, dance-ready by dusk, with a hoodie rolled in the tote “just in case.” Having both lived between cities and continents, their wardrobes read like passports – pieces thrifted in Amman and New York to inherited at home in Egypt – a collection gathered from places and people that shaped them. Through the bustle, their wardrobes still echo their politics: mostly thrifted, often borrowed, and proudly local. It’s stylish, yes, but always grounded in community.

Look One | Full Day of Workshops and Panels - SALMA MALHAS“I usually choose my outfits based on how I’m feeling that day, this feels like a perfect mix of comfortable and cool. I’ll be running around from event to event, so a big bag is a must for my laptop and all the other essentials. Of course, I’m using my Johnny Farah bag, as always!"

Thrifted in Dar Akhdar Thrift Market in Amman | Baby Doll top
Thrifted in Dar Akhdar Thrift Market in Amman | Adidas Shorts
Onitsuka Tiger | Mexico 66™ "Birch/Peacoat" Sneakers
Johnny Farah | Rouen Bag
Rota Pieces | Sunday Brown Necklace
Thrifted at Relive Vintage in Zamalek | Sunglasses

Look One | Full Day of Workshops and Panels - HAYAT ALJOWAILY“Style inspo for my day outfits: Marianne Khoury! I very quickly realized that she really knew how to choose outfits that can survive the Gouna sun, look good at all the different functions we have to attend, and they are always natural linen, which is great for the planet!”

Palma | Sugar Stripe Dress
Aldo | Suede Wooden Platform Sandal

“Pair of vintage Versace glasses my grandma found”

Vintage Versace | Grandma’s Closet

“One of my magic makeup tools I carry with me everywhere I go. Faux freckles and a whole lotta blush: bam, no need for any other makeup”

Faux Freckles
Areej | Neroli Water

“Barely any time to style my hair in the morning so I usually just refresh my curls and just… make sure I can go outside like that! But a good Curly Studio cut always helps with this.”



Look Two | Red Carpet Film Premiere - SALMA MALHAS
“To be honest, I’m not really into getting dressed up for the red carpet. With everything going on in the world, it just doesn’t feel that exciting. So I went for something simple and elegant. The dress is actually secondhand, I found it at LOVEMEBACK in Amman, which is one of my favorite thrift stores (they also have a branch in Aqaba!).”

Thrifted Vanina | Belle de Nuit Dress
Eclat Boheme | Judas Rings

Karmamalhas | Red Asymmetrical Earrings

Spikey 90s bun
Kotn | Amber Nemat Perfumes

Look Two | Red Carpet Film Premiere - HAYAT ALJOWAILY

“Being on the red carpet still makes me feel like I want to pinch myself – the 5 year old in me (and the 14 year old too!) I still can’t believe this is my reality now. It’s the one moment I allow myself to dress the way little I would've wanted me to with more glitter and dazzle, but I still always make sure it’s a comfy outfit so I don’t make a fool of myself walking. I like to get dresses tailored for the red carpet with my local tailor Madame Souad, or to collaborate with local brands like Youcouture by Palestinian designer Fida Kiblawi who I met the first time I attended GFF!”

Tailored Dress Made by Madame Souad from Pinterest Inspirations
Jozee | Black Gold Beaded Clutch
Gold Jewelry | Grandma’s Closet
Look Three | After-party fun - SALMA MALHAS

“For the afterparty, I want to be comfortable but still look cool, so I’m wearing this set from Rota. I’ll be layering on lots of jewelry, including my Karma Malhas ring, I wear it everywhere. I’m pretty sure it’s good luck because something good always seems to happen when I have it on.”

Sam Edelman | Marley Ballet Flat
Rota Pieces | Mia Green Top
Rota Pieces | Mia Green Skirt
Karmamalhas | Touch Me and I Punch You Bands
Pre Loved Johnny Farah | Leather Shoulder Bag
Huda Lip KitThrifted bangles from Cairo Vintage Market
Hairstyle

Look Three | After-party fun - HAYAT ALJOWAILY

“A successful after-party or cocktail outfit for me is one that can be concocted and put on during a 5 minute quick change as my colleague Amina waits in the car by the lobby.”

Shakhalil | Black and White Mini Dress
Ecco | Sculpted Lx Heels
Thrifted Cairo Flea Market
“Borrowed from my cousin (thanks Hana!)
1st Dibs | Chandelier Earrings
Mont Blanc | Signature Absolue Perfume
“A few bobby pins to fix up any curls that are falling out of place.”
“My friend Sarilou taught me this lip trick and it’s my quick fix all the time now!”
Mars | Edge of Desire Lip Liner