Yasmine Kenawi, also known for her social media hashtag #StyledbyYK, began her fashion journey with curiosity and passion. Growing up, she always had an eye for style and creativity, but her path became more defined when she moved abroad to pursue studies in fashion. At the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, she immersed herself in the world of design, styling, and brand building.
During her studies, she interned with top fashion houses, learning the discipline, pace, and standards of the global industry. These experiences shaped her into someone who understood both the business and artistic sides of fashion. At the same time, she began experimenting with a personal blog, where she showcased her outfits and styling choices. What started as a small hobby quickly attracted attention, as people began asking about her looks and how she put them together.
This blog was the seed that grew into her full time career. It gave her a platform to express herself, and soon, she was not just sharing her style but also collaborating with photographers, brands, and other creatives.
The Early Struggles: Staying Authentic in a Digital World
Behind the curated posts and beautiful imagery, Yasmine faced her share of struggles. Like many influencers and creatives, she experienced the frustration of waiting for responses from brands, the pressure of standing out in a crowded industry, and the constant temptation to compare herself to others.
She has spoken about the importance of taking breaks, putting the phone down and creating space to think. It was not easy, but these pauses helped her preserve her creativity and focus on authenticity. For her, the key lesson was clear: never lose your own voice. Trends may come and go, but individuality lasts forever.
These struggles taught her resilience. They made her stronger and gave her the determination to push forward even when opportunities seemed uncertain.
Blossoming Career: From NYC to Cairo and Dubai
Yasmine Kenawi’s career soon took on an international flavor. With a base that spanned New York, Cairo, and Dubai, she built a bridge between Western fashion sensibilities and Middle Eastern glamour.
She worked alongside some of the biggest names in the styling world, assisting celebrity stylists and gaining firsthand experience in editorial shoots, red carpet styling, and brand collaborations. These early opportunities allowed her to style global celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Mark Ruffalo, Adriana Lima, and Kate Upton.
At the same time, she remained deeply connected to her roots, styling Arab stars including Salma Abu Deif, Mayan El Sayed, Jamila Awad, Rakeen Saad, Amira Adeeb, Hend Sabry, Huda El Mufti, Asmaa Galal and many more. This balance gave her a unique identity as a stylist who could navigate both Hollywood and the Arab entertainment scene. Her radical taste in the Middle East caught the attention of many celebrities, PR gurus and tastemakers who wanted to finally see a shift in the Arab red carpet.
Her editorial work appeared in major fashion magazines, from Vogue and Harpers Bazaar to Elle, Marie Claire, and more. Each project reflected her editorial eye, sharp, cinematic, and daringly original.
A Royal Style Wedding: Her Personal Fairytale
In December 2024, Yasmine Kenawi’s personal life became a dazzling extension of her professional world when she got married in a fairytale style wedding to her now husband Mostafa Abdelaziz. The celebrations spanned three days and became a showcase of her vision for fashion and creativity.
The religious ceremony, had an elegant and romantic atmosphere. For the occasion, Yasmine wore a sleek satin gown by Georges Hobeika, paired with Louboutin heels and Noora Shamsi jewelry. The combination of modern couture with pieces of family heritage made the moment deeply personal.
For her main wedding celebration, which was held at Mohamed Ali Palace, she wore a custom gown by Elias Riga. This was not just one dress, it was a carefully designed transformation. She began the night in a lace corseted gown, switched to a modified look with a bold corset for the cake cutting, and ended with a shimmering gown and dramatic taffeta cape for the after party. Each stage of her wedding reflected different sides of her personality, romantic, edgy, and glamorous.
The decor was equally cinematic, carefully executed by renowned wedding planner, Dina Iskander. White tones layered with green, burgundy, and aubergine created a warm, royal effect. Roses, candles, vintage mirrors, and a Marie Antoinette inspired dessert table made the event feel like a scene from a period film. It was a celebration of love but also a display of how fashion can tell a story.
The guest list included some of the region’s biggest names in entertainment, further highlighting her place at the center of the cultural and creative scene.
Today: A Life of Style, Travel, and Creative Freedom
Today, Yasmine Kenawi continues to live and work between Cairo and Dubai, while maintaining connections with the fashion hubs of New York and Europe. Her life is a balance of styling celebrities, creative directing editorial shoots, and building her personal brand.
On Instagram, she shares glimpses of her daily life, luxurious styling sessions, travel experiences, behind the scenes moments, and personal reflections. Her feed is not just a portfolio but also a diary of her journey, blending high fashion with authenticity.
She also shares practical tips with her followers, such as styling advice for special occasions, seasonal outfit inspirations, and trend insights. This blend of high level fashion with relatable content makes her presence engaging and inspiring.
Why Her Story Inspires
Yasmine Kenawi’s story resonates because it combines glamour with real human lessons.
- From roots to runway: Her journey shows that passion, experience, and persistence can take someone from humble beginnings to international recognition.
- Authenticity matters: Despite industry pressures, she has stayed true to her style, inspiring others to embrace their individuality.
- Resilience through struggles: She turned early frustrations into fuel for growth, showing that challenges can shape success.
- Life as art: From styling global celebrities to designing her own wedding as a fashion story, she shows that life itself can be a canvas for creativity.
In Summary
Yasmine Kenawi, or YK, is more than a celebrity stylist. She is a storyteller who uses fashion as her language. Her journey, spanning continents, cultures, and industries, demonstrates how passion can evolve into purpose. With her mix of resilience, authenticity, and vision, she continues to inspire not only the fashion world but also anyone chasing a dream.
Her life is a reminder that style is not just about clothes. It is about expression, courage, and the ability to turn every moment into a masterpiece.
Do follow her on Instagram
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