Perla Harb, Miss Lebanon 2025... Highlights from the ceremony

22-year-old Lebanese woman, Perla Harb, was crowned Miss Lebanon 2025 at a lavish ceremony held in an area surrounding Beirut, attended by a host of celebrities and personalities, amidst a dazzling celebratory atmosphere.

Following her coronation, Perla Harb expressed her happiness at the title, emphasizing that her most important project this year revolves around empowering women and giving them a voice through which to express their ambitions and dreams. She emphasized her commitment to standing by women in their daily struggle for self-realization and equality. She added that she is fully aware that challenges are an integral part of the journey, considering them a necessary step on the road to success and maturity.

It's worth noting that the ceremony was hosted by Lebanese media personality Hilda Khalife, who dazzled in a one-shoulder purple gown and long shawl by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran. Her hair was styled in thick, wavy waves and with delicate, elegant makeup, all under the supervision of Lebanese fashion coordinator Cedric Haddad.

It's worth noting that the judging panel comprised an elite group of prominent figures in the fields of beauty, fashion, art, and politics, including Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran, Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata, Lebanese makeup artist Bassam Fattouh, Tunisian model Rym Saidi, and former Miss Lebanon and Lebanese actress Valerie Abou Chacra.

The contestants began the evening in uniform gold dresses featuring off-the-shoulder necklines, a high slit, and a "Lebanon" accessory at the chest. They then presented their second look in indigo blue one-piece swimsuits, adorned with an embroidered star and a long scarf with delicate details.

The first look of the participants was in uniform golden dresses with a slanted golden accessory bearing the name of Lebanon in English. The first look of the contestants was in uniform gold dresses with a slanted gold accessory bearing the name Lebanon in English. In the final stage, the contestants wore dresses by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran, ranging from mermaid cuts with sheer fabrics to puffy, long-sleeved designs, in colors ranging from white, red, purple, blue, pink, and black.

Nancy Ajram in three elegant looks Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram also stole the spotlight with three elegant looks during the ceremony. Her first look featured a shiny, metallic blue, off-the-shoulder gown. Her second featured a short, white, pearl-embroidered gown, accessorized with a silver Indian-inspired hair accessory. For her third look, she opted for a black velvet dress.

She opted for wavy hairstyles in the first and second looks, while the third hairstyle was higher in the front, inspired by 90s hairstyles, and was designed by Lebanese hairstylist Rinzi Zgheib.

In this vein, Lebanese makeup artist Fadi Kataya, in an interview with CNN Arabic, pointed out the details of Ajram's makeup, which relied on a smoky style with warm colors ranging from brown to fiery orange, with shiny, crystal-like touches on the mobile eyelid. The lipstick was nude in the first and second looks, while in the third, it went brown. Kataya explained that this time he avoided shiny makeup, adopting a soft-matte look without shine.

This is Miss World's message to Miss Lebanon! Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata, a member of the jury, revealed in an interview with CNN Arabic her concept of the modern queen, noting that she must embody strength, authenticity, and compassion. Beauty is not measured solely by appearance, but also by character, culture, and the ability to use your voice to spread positive values.

In a country like Lebanon that celebrates diversity, resilience, and art, she believes the Queen should be a reflection of these values, combining pride in tradition with openness to the world.

She noted that the Miss World pageant's "Beauty Has a Purpose" platform gives Lebanese winners a unique opportunity to inspire the world, citing current Miss World Nada Kousa, who has made a remarkable achievement in raising awareness about mental health.

Bassam Fattouh: The abundance of beauty was a real challenge! In this vein, Lebanese makeup artist Bassam Fattouh expressed his own vision of beauty in an interview with CNN Arabic, believing that true beauty begins with personality. He explained that before selecting any look, he carefully understood each contestant's personality, what distinguished her, and what she wanted to convey, so that the look was designed to align with her identity and reflect her nature, without overshadowing her authentic personality.

Fattouh added that there is no single standard for beauty, but rather a complete combination of clear skin, harmonious features, a sincere smile, self-confidence, presence, and the ability to connect with the audience.

Regarding the challenges facing the judging panel, Fattouh noted that the sheer number of beauty contestants posed a real challenge, as each contestant possessed a unique charm and appeal. He congratulated this year's beauty queen on her victory.