What a Model Actually Wears to Set With Saudi Model Zahra Hussain

CairoScene

21 hours ago

What a Model Actually Wears to Set With Saudi Model Zahra Hussain
There's a certain image that comes to mind when you hear the word model - all glossy skin, dewy cheekbones, and aspirational chaos in the back of a cab. But Zahra Hussain, with her quick wit and even quicker shoe change, is here to gently unpick that illusion.
The UK-based Saudi model never planned to become the face that launched campaigns. In fact, her path to fashion began not with dreams of runways but with a pragmatic twist of fate. As a university student studying Finance in the British countryside, her world revolved around textbooks and netball courts - until her height started turning heads. 'Everyone told me, you should model,' she says. 'So I walked into an agency on a whim, and they signed me straight away.' Just like that, the athlete became an accidental icon, trading sports gear for couture.
If fashion demands conformity, Zahra sidesteps it with ease. 'My style is never one aesthetic,' she tells SceneStyled. One moment she's in ethereal pastels; the next, she's leaning into midnight-hued rebellion. Modelling - with its casting-call uniform of black-on-black - only deepened her creative fearlessness. 'Before, I'd thought, 'You can't wear that with that'. Now? Who actually cares?'
Raised Muslim in rural England, deeply rooted in her Saudi heritage, Zahra carries her identity with both gentleness and clarity. 'There's a generational shift happening. My mum might not love some of the outfits I wear now, but Arab fashion isn't monolithic.' For her, style is a space for nuance. 'Respect your roots, but make room for yourself. There's beauty in balance.'
Though she's graced international campaigns and editorials, Zahra's love for modelling is all about collaboration. 'Photographers, artists, other models - I love the energy of it. But I also wonder: why do we still centre European labels in our region's fashion story? There's magic in what we have - Saudi boutiques, in Egyptian craftsmanship, that we overlook.'
And while her portfolio is full of high-shine fashion moments, she's also just really, really good at surviving a 6am call time without losing an earring - mostly by not wearing any. 'People don't realise - jewellery's a no-go. You'll always be asked to take it off, and you're bound to lose something eventually. It's just not worth it.'
So instead of a glossy dreamboard of looks that rarely leave the stylist's rack, For this SceneStyled SELECTS Zahra shares the real model on-set edit. 'It's all about ease,' as she says. 'Chill, but it works.'
Best on set outfit
'The best on-set outfit is all about ease - jeans you can pull on and off quickly, a stretchy tank so makeup doesn't get ruined, and slides for easy shoe changes. It's chill, low-maintenance, and you don't care if it gets a bit dirty.'
A practical yet polished on-set uniform: mid-blue flared jeans with patch pockets for a touch of structure, a ribbed cotton tank that's soft, breathable, and makeup-friendly, and comfy LV slides that slip on and off in seconds. It's the kind of look that works hard behind the scenes - casual, functional and effortlessly cool.
Sakura — Patch Pocket Flared Jeans In Mid Blue
Skims — Cotton Rib Long Tank in Marble
Louis Vuitton — Sunset Comfort Sandals in Blue/Blanc
Casting outfit
"For castings, it's always about keeping it simple- clean lines, no distractions. You want to look long, lean, and effortless. That usually means all black, something tailored, and absolutely no jewellery. You'll just be told to take it off- and if you forget, you'll lose it. It's happened.'
A pair of high-waisted, flared black trousers, paired with a fitted cotton-blend top that hugs without clinging. The silhouette is sharp, especially when grounded by sleek heeled boots- something structured to subtly enhance her posture and add height without screaming for attention. And if it's cold? A checked Acne Studios scarf adds polish.
Priya — Twill Patch-Pocket Flared Trousers In Black
Harvey Nichols — Massachusetts Cotton Top in Black
Off-White — Silver Allen Heeled Ankle Boots
Acne Studios — Check Logo Scarf, Narrow in Black & Gray
What's in my bag?
'My bag's always full of things that keep me ready for anything, Day-to-day beauty staples, a few snacks - just the things that make sure you're cute, fresh and prepared.'
In her tote - Fendi's oversized FF-embroidered canvas shopper - you'll find the kind of staples that keep her camera-ready without trying too hard. A Mario Badescu rosewater spray for mid-day refresh, Clinique's cult Black Honey lip tint, a protein bar and an apple (always), and her Canon G7x. 'Anything can happen in a day, and I like to be ready—especially for behind-the-scenes moments,' she says. And then there's the one non-negotiable: Chanel's Noir Allure mascara. 'I always have my own. I'm not sharing mascara with anyone. Ever.'
Fendi — Roll Large Blue canvas shopper with FF embroidery Louis Vuitton — Sarah Wallet in Blue Wash
Mario Badescu — Rose Spray Toner For Refreshing
L'Oreal — Paris Fine Flowers Cleansing Wipes
Keihl's — Mini Ultra Facial Refillable Moisturising Cream with Squalane
Clinique — Black Honey Lip Digital Camera (G7x) For Behind The Scenes If Possible
Apple & a Protein Bar
Chanel Noir Allure
Weekend Dinner Outfit
'I do tend to end up wearing black a lot, but I just like things that feel classy and versatile - you can go to dinner, but if you want to go to a party afterwards, you're ready. I like little accessories that just make you look… expensive and chic.'
A structured black Emiliana top by X REVOLVE paired with cropped Cindy trousers—clean lines, zero fuss. She adds height and attitude with YSL's patent Opyum heels, and slings the crocodile-embossed Le 5 à 7 bag over her shoulder. Gold accents - a twisted bangle and Prya's Mia hoops - finish the look with just enough polish.
Revolve — Emiliana Top in Black Revolve — Lovers And Friends Cindy Cropped Capri Pant in Black
YSL — Le 5 À 7 In Crocodile-Embossed Shiny Leather
YSL — Opyum Sandals In Patent Leather
Browns Family Jewellers — Soleil Collection Twisted Bangle in 9K Solid Yellow Gold
Prya — Mia Earrings
In Her Wardrobe That She Cannot Live Without
'They've been my dream since I was a little girl, and I finally got them'
Tiffany & Co. — Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Necklace in Silver with a Diamond, Medium Tiffany & Co. — Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Stud Earrings in Silver, Mini