Elisa Sednaoui

Elisa Sednaoui was born in Savigliano, Piedmont, Italy and raised between three countries, Egypt, Italy, and France. She spent much of her early life in Luxor and Zamalek, Cairo.{{cite web|url=https://en.vogue.me/culture/mother-daughter-conversation-anna-morra-sednaoui-elisa-sednaoui-dellal/|title=A Mother-Daughter Conversation Between Anna Morra Sednaoui and Elisa Sednaoui Dellal|website=Vogue|date=15 May 2019}} Her mother is of Italian and Syrian heritage, while her father has Egyptian, Syrian and French roots. The Sednaoui family, a Melkite Greek Catholic family of Syrian descent, finds its roots in the city of Sednaya, from where their surname originates. The Sednaoui family migrated to Egypt at the end of the 19th century and developed successful department stores in Cairo.{{Cite web |title=Remembering Sednaoui - Photo Heritage - Heritage |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/32/138/128924/Heritage/Photo-Heritage/Remembering-Sednaoui.aspx |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Ahram Online}}

Sednaoui's first feature film, Šarūnas Bartas’ Eastern Drift was released in Paris in December 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.flixster.com/celebrity/sharunas-bartas/ |title=Sharunas Bartas |publisher=Flixster.com |accessdate=2012-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407060637/http://www.flixster.com/celebrity/sharunas-bartas/ |archive-date=2015-04-07 |url-status=dead }} She played the lead female role of "Gabriella", alongside Bartas. The film was shown at La Berlinale 2010 – section “The International Forum of New Cinema.”{{cite web|url= http://cineuropa.org/2011/nw.aspx?t=newsdetail&l=en&did=135993 |title= Eastern Drift: Globalization according to Bartas |publisher=Cineuropa.com |date=2010-08-10 |accessdate=2012-02-14}}{{cite web|url= https://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/2010/02_programm_2010/02_Filmdatenblatt_2010_20105896.php#tab=boulevard |title= FILM FILE |publisher=berlinale.de |accessdate=2014-06-20}} In La Baie du Renard, a short film selected to close Critics Week (Semaine de la Critique) at Cannes Film Festival 2009, Sednaoui starred alongside Pierre Torreton {{cite web |url=http://www.semainedelacritique.com/films/2009/2009_spe_labaie.php |title=Closing Night: La Baie Du Renard |publisher=SemaineDeLaCritique.com |year=2009 |accessdate=2012-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430144517/http://www.semainedelacritique.com/films/2009/2009_spe_labaie.php |archive-date=2010-04-30 |url-status=dead }}

In 2010 {{Citation |title=Bus Palladium (2010) - Release info - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1415255/releaseinfo/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |language=en-US}} she starred in French screens in Christopher Thompson's first feature film Bus Palladium, co-starring with Marc André Grondin and Arthur Dupont. Sednaoui also starred opposite French actor Pascal Greggory in Karl Lagerfeld's short film Remember Now,{{Cite web |title=Chanel.com |url=https://www.chanel.com/us/fashion/news/2010/05/remember-now-by-karl-lagerfeld-the-short-movie.html |website=chanel.com}}{{Cite web |date=2010-05-11 |title=Remember Now by Karl Lagerfeld Short Film |url=https://hypebeast.com/2010/5/remember-karl-lagerfeld-short-film |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Hypebeast}} the introduction to the 2010 Chanel Cruise Collection.

Sednaoui has also appeared in Love Lasts Three Years, released by Europa in January 2012,

{{cite web|url= https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117947029/ |title=Love Lasts Three years |publisher=Variety.com |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2012-02-14}} and The Legend of Kaspar Hauser, a surrealistic adaptation of the 19th century Teutonic foundling story transposed to Sardinia.{{cite web|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1887785/ |title=La Leggenda di Kaspar Hauser |publisher= IMDB.com |accessdate=2012-02-14}}

Sednaoui co-directed with Martina Gili the documentary Kullu Tamam (Everything is Good).{{cite web|url= http://la.racked.com/archives/2012/02/28/elisa_sednaoui_takes_on_hollywood_with_new_film_gig.php |title= Elisa Sednaoui takes on Hollywood with new film gig| publisher= racked.com| date= 2012-02-28}} The film showcases Egyptians not covered by mainstream media by telling the stories of characters who, despite their differences of age and belief, share the sudden discovery of what is usually referred to as “freedom of expression”. The film depicts the countryside of Luxor.{{cite web|url= http://globalgrind.com/2012/01/27/elisa-sednaoui-conquered-print-runway-eyes-world-film-photos/ |title= Actress Elisa Sednaoui: "Classics Like Biggie Never Tire Me" |publisher=GlobalGrind.com|date=2012-01-27 |accessdate=2012-02-24}} Gili and Sednaoui co-directed a music video for music producer Chaim's song “Robots on Meth”, which was initially exclusively released on Interview.com.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-18 |title=Exclusive Video Premiere: 'Robots on Meth,' CHAIM (Co-Directed by Elisa Sednaoui) |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/exclusive-video-premiere-robots-on-meth-chaim-co-directed-by-elisa-sednaoui |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}} Sednaoui also directed "In Conversation With Vogue Arabia" the first short film to ever be featured on the online version of Vogue Arabia,{{Cite web |title=Vogue Arabia debuts online with digital first strategy |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1002031/jserrors/aggregate |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Arab News |language=en}} starring Lebanese designers Elie Saab.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-24 |title=Elie Saab and Elisa Sednaoui: Watch Their Love Letter to Vogue Arabia |url=https://en.vogue.me/fashion/elie-saab-elisa-sednaoui/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-GB}} The short film was part of the Official Selection of 2017 edition of London Fashion Film Festival,{{Cite web |title=Event 2017 - London Fashion Film Festival |url=https://www.londonfashionfilmfestival.com/event-2017 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.londonfashionfilmfestival.com |language=en}} Berlin Fashion Film Festival, Milano Fashion Film Festival, Istanbul Fashion Film Fest, Copenhagen Fashion Film and Aesthetica Short Film Festival.

Funtasia Enterprise is a California Benefit corporation founded in 2020 offering a range of educational services to schools, institutions, to parents and caregivers, including capacity building training, classes and workshops, as well as online resources. Funtasia developed an Educational Approach which is a socio-emotional,{{Cite web |title=Funtasia |url=https://josefina.fr/pages/funtasia |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Josefina Bags |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.funtasia.world/locations#:~:text=Funtasia%27s%20Educational%20Approach%20is%20global,profitable,%20whilst%20concretely%20benefitting%20society. |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.funtasia.world}} experiential and community-based learning and teaching method that can be applied to most subjects. This proprietary Approach is the result of research and testing in more than 4 countries and languages. It is designed to enhance youth and adults’ educational experience towards transversal, relational and creative soft skill sets. The tools used include hands-on activities covering cognitive intelligence and sense awareness – carried out through games, independent projects and layered conversations with instructors and peers that reflect the lessons. The Approach is expressed practically in a deliberately sequenced Learning Arch© used for all Funtasia programs, from the Adults Training, to the youth programs and digital products. Activities are built to help young people and adults strengthen their social and self-awareness, as well as the growth and solution oriented mindset, while allowing them to gain the courage to fully embrace the path towards exploring and celebrating their inner strengths.Funtasia Enterprise currently has a physical presence in 5 countries as well as global online accessibility. Some of its most recent collaborations took place in the USA with Larchmont Charter School on a cross-cultural online workshop{{Cite web |title=The first ever Funtasia program in an American school took place in May 2021. |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpnpP98DKWN/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Instagram |language=en}} and with the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Saudi Arabia.

In 2013, Sednaoui created the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation,{{cite web|url= http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2014/03/27/elisa-sednaoui-foundation---model-on-new-egypt-venture |title=Grand Plans: Inside Elisa Sednaoui's Foundation |publisher=Vogue.com|date=2014-03-27|accessdate=2014-06-20}} a nonprofit organization providing creative learning after-school programs for youngsters. The foundation's pilot program, a music workshop for youngsters in Luxor, Egypt, took place in April, 2014. During a full school-week, local youngsters attended the workshop (organized with the support of Makan—the Egyptian Center For Culture and Arts—and fellow NPO MIMA Music), which consisted in creative, game-like activities that helped them write and record a full song. The foundation has since taken on the name Funtasia Impact, its main project. It is registered as a UK charitable incorporated organization (CIO).{{Cite web |title=Funtasia Impact - Charity 1154528 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_regId=1154528&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_subId=0 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}} It offers underserved communities youth programs and educators building capacity. It is active in Italy through the entity Funtasia Italia founded in 2016 and in the United States, Funtasia Impact USA is registered 501c3 as of 2020.

Funtasia Impact currently has physical presence in 24 cities around the world, as well as global digital presence. To date, it has impacted 11291 Youth ages 4–18 and involved over 1500 adults globally. Its indirect beneficiaries through partnership such as the one with Save The Children Italy have reached over 50000 individuals.

Funtasia manages its own center in Luxor, Egypt,{{Cite web |title=Blue sky thinking (Porter Magazine) |url=https://models.com/work/porter-magazine-blue-sky-thinking |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=MODELS.com}}{{Cite web |title=Funtasia Cultural Center – Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy |url=https://akphilanthropy.org/funtasia/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |language=en-US}} where youth classes, workshops and adult training programs are implemented. Additionally it works through partnerships with Sawiris Foundation, the Swiss Embassy in Egypt, Right to Play, and A.P.E. in Esna, Assiut, Mokattam, Cairo, Haram City.

Funtasia Impact was invited by the Xalapa municipality to build capacity of over 30 adults from the community,{{Cite web |last=Xalapa |first=Crónica de |date=2021-09-19 |title=Concluye primera etapa de talleres Funtasia |url=https://cronicadexalapa.com.mx/concluye-primera-etapade-talleres-funtasia/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Crónica de Xalapa |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=Llega a Xalapa programa Funtasia |url=https://eldemocrata.com/llega-a-xalapa-programa-funtasia/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=El Democrata |language=es}} and to run 2 workshops for 600 students of public school Escuela Mexico. Renowned Italian photographer Laura Sciacovelli and Mexican film director Moises Aisemberg also joined community educators and creatives.

Funtasia works with public schools in the cities of Bra,{{Cite web |last=Saladino |first=Di Marta |date=2021-10-27 |title=Elisa va veloce. E ha una mission: far diventare la scuola davvero inclusiva e persino 4.0... |url=https://www.elle.com/it/magazine/interviste/a38065935/elisa-sednaou-intervista/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=ELLE |language=it-IT}} Savigliano, Torino. In collaboration with the Public Schools Board of education, Funtasia provides courses to develop essential life skills with a focus on authentic expression and self-confidence, interior and exterior wellness, connections and empathy with others.

In partnership with Caffè Vergnano, Funtasia developed an Educational program focused around Entrepreneurship and gender inclusion for two highschool classes{{Cite web |last=Civalleri |first=Elena |date=2021-02-25 |title=Caffè Vergnano partners up with Funtasia to promote gender equality in public schools |url=https://www.caffevergnano.com/en/blog/caffe-vergnano-partners-up-with-funtasia-to-promote-gender-equality-in-public-schools |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Coffee & news |language=en}} (about 50 youth) plus 500 online beneficiaries. An experiential journey combining strengthening of essential life skills, with the opportunity to reflect on the theme of personal realization, diving into pre-assumptions, prejudices and gender gaps.

The organization has been working with SAVE THE CHILDREN Italy since 2016 to build capacity of Save the Children educators working in Punti Luce centers across Italy,{{Cite web |date=2019-05-15 |title=A Mother-Daughter Conversation Between Anna Morra Sednaoui and Elisa Sednaoui Dellal |url=https://en.vogue.me/culture/mother-daughter-conversation-anna-morra-sednaoui-elisa-sednaoui-dellal/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-GB}} in Napoli, Roma Ostia, Roma Torre Maura, Roma Ponte di Nona Udine, Genova, Milano Giambellino, Prato, Bari, Torino, Palermo Zen, Palermo Zisa, Sassari{{Cite web |title=UISP - Sassari - Sassari: i giovani del Punto Luce e Futuro Prossimo incontrano la città. |url=https://www.uisp.it//sassari/pagina/sassari-i-giovani-del-punto-luce-e-futuro-prossimo-incontrano-la-citt |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.uisp.it |language=en}} (Italy). The most recent project they collaborated on was called “Equip today to thrive tomorrow “ (ET3{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title=Equip Today To Thrive Tomorrow |url=https://www.savethechildren.it/cosa-facciamo/progetti/equip-today-thrive-tomorrow |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Save the Children Italia |language=it}}) and financed by Accenture Foundation, in collaboration with Save the Children USA. The project is carried out in Italy and simultaneously in 5 other countries around the world and over the 3 years will reach approximately 44,000 beneficiaries, including children and youth and 3,000 parents, teachers, facilitators and educators. ET3's main objective is to develop the human and digital skills of children (aged 8 to 14) with a high level of awareness of their needs with a focus on growth mindset and creativity in a perspective of gender inclusion.

Since 2015, Elisa is also a high profile supporter of UNHCR,{{Cite web |title=UNHCR - personaggi celebri al nostro fianco |url=https://www.unhcr.org/it/chi-siamo/personaggi-celebri-al-nostro-fianco/sostenitori-di-alto-profilo/ }} with a first visit in Lebanon{{Cite web |last=Bonazzi |first=Di Laila |date=2016-03-20 |title=Rifugiati siriani: viaggio in Libano con Elisa Sednaoui e Unhcr |url=https://www.marieclaire.it/magazine/a26099456/rifugiati-siriani-in-libano-elisa-sednaoui-testimonial-unhcr-agenzia-onu/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Marie Claire |language=it-IT}} in 2016 and follow up visits to a Syrian refugee family legally relocated in Italy. She has also visited a refugee center located in Xalapa, Mexico in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Reconoce ACNUR trabajo de Xalapa, México, en favor de la población refugiada |url=https://www.acnur.org/noticias/stories/reconoce-acnur-trabajo-de-xalapa-mexico-en-favor-de-la-poblacion-refugiada |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=ACNUR |language=es}}

In addition to film, Sednaoui has appeared in campaigns for Chanel Eyewear, Giorgio Armani and a Roberto Cavalli fragrance campaign in February 2012, shot by Steven Klein for print and Johan Renck for television. In December 2015 she collaborated with Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino on his campaign for Missoni Fragrance.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.it/beauty/notizie-bellezza/2015/11/missoni-look-paolo-sorrentino-spot-profumi-da-donna-regali-natale-elisa-sednaoui|title=Paolo Sorrentino ed Elisa Sednaoui per il profumo Missoni|website=Vogue|language=Italian|date=27 November 2015}} Before his death during February 2019, Sednaoui served as a muse to Karl Lagerfeld.{{cite web |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/15th-anniversary/sarah-doukas/elisa-sednaoui |title=15 faces to watch for 2011 |publisher=Vogue UK |date=2010 |accessdate=2014-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922042114/http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/15th-anniversary/sarah-doukas/elisa-sednaoui |archive-date=2013-09-22 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url= https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a26402997/karl-lagerfeld-death/|author=Amy De Klerk |title=Karl Lagerfeld has died in Paris|publisher=Harpers Bazaar|date=February 19, 2019 |accessdate=2019-06-10}}

She also worked extensively with photographer Peter Lindbergh,{{Cite web |last=US |first=FashionNetwork com |title=Buccellati unveils new fall campaign starring Elisa Sednaoui in Venice |url=https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/buccellati-unveils-new-fall-campaign-starring-elisa-sednaoui-in-venice,716258.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-US}} particularly for the multi-years contract with italian Jewelry brand Buccellati and the fashion brand Ermanno Scervino in 2016 and 2017.

In 2019, Christian Louboutin launched a new handbag model that he named "Elisa"{{Cite web |title=Harrods - Elisa Mini Embellished Chain Bag |url=https://www.harrods.com/en-us/shopping/christian-louboutin-elisa-mini-embellished-chain-bag-16559789}}{{Cite web |title=Inspired by Egypt, Christian Louboutin introduces Elisa |url=https://www.luxuryfacts.com/index.php/sections/article/Inspired-by-Egypt-Christian-Louboutin-introduces-E }}{{Cite web |title=The Hottest Bag of 2020 Is Already Here |url=https://www.instyle.com/fashion/christian-louboutin-elisa-bag |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=InStyle |language=en}} after his Goddaughter and muse.

Sednaoui has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Italian Vogue,{{Cite web |date=2016-04-11 |title=Sneak Peek to our April 2016 issue |url=https://www.vogue.it/moda/cover-fashion-stories/2016/04/11/anteprima-cover-vogue-italia-aprile-2016 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Vogue Italia |language=it-IT}} Vogue Arabia,{{Cite web |date=2019-04-29 |title=Meet the Vogue Arabia Ramadan Cover Stars. Hint: There Are Babies On Board |url=https://en.vogue.me/fashion/vogue-arabia-may-2019-issue/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-GB}} Vanity Fair italia,{{Cite web |date=2015-07-28 |title=Elisa Sednaoui: "La vita è adesso" |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/mondo/15/07/28/elisa-sednaoui-madrina-venezia-2015-cover-vanity-fair-intervista |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=VanityFair.it |language=it}} Glamour Italia, L’Officiel, Flair, Marie Claire and Elle, among others.{{cite web|url= http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2011/10/25/elisa-sednaoui-for-roberto-cavalli-fragrance |title=Cavalli's New Woman |publisher=Vogue UK |date=2011-10-25 |accessdate=2012-03-20}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-starscelebsmodels/models-and-supermodels/2010/04/elisa-sednaoui |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918045803/http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-starscelebsmodels/models-and-supermodels/2010/04/elisa-sednaoui |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-18 |title=Elisa Sednaoui |publisher=Vogue.IT |date=2010-04-10 |accessdate=2012-03-20 }}

Nessuno Può Farti Star Male Senza Il Tuo Permesso (Nobody Can Hurt You Without Your Permission), the first book she co-wrote with Italian linguistic intelligence expert Paolo Borzacchiello, through cognitive behavioral tools supports the building of self-esteem, self-awareness and confidence in the interactions with others.

• Borzacchiello, Sednaoui (2022). Nessuno può farti star male senza il tuo permesso, Mondadori, ISBN 9788804755333

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/where-i-see-myself-in-ten-years_b_7322028

Sednaoui married an Anglo-Sephardic businessman,{{Cite web |last=Pener |first=Degen |date=2021-11-14 |title=The Old Santa Monica Post Office Re-Opens as Art Gallery |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/old-santa-monica-post-office-art-gallery-opens-1235044564/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Joanna |date=2015-03-13 |title=Sir Philip Green sells Bhs HQ to Alexander Dellal |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/sir-philip-green-sells-bhs-hq-to-alexander-dellal-10106249.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} Alexander Dellal, on 3 May 2014.{{cite web|author=Laila Bonazzi|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/it/attualita/gossip/a22424974/elisa-sednaoui-intervista-famiglia-fondazione/|title=Il potere della fantasia secondo la modella e mamma Elisa Sednaoui|website=Marie Claire|language=Italian|date=19 July 2018|access-date=25 June 2019}} They have together two sons, Jack Zeitoun in 2013,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetot.com/mama/being-mama-elisa-sednaoui-dellal/|title=Being Mama: Elisa Sednaoui Dellal|website=The Tot|access-date=26 October 2019}} and Samuel Luxor{{Cite web |title=Modern Woman – Gio Journal |url=https://giojournal.com/modern-woman/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |language=en-US}} in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/photo_le_mannequin_elisa_sednaoui_maman_la_jeune_femme_et_son_compagnon_alex_dellal_ont_accueilli_leur_2e_enfant_405041|title=PHOTO – Le mannequin Elisa Sednaoui maman, la jeune femme et son compagnon Alex Dellal ont accueilli leur 2e enfant|website=Gala|language=French|date=26 September 2017}}

Stéphane Sednaoui is her uncle.{{Cite magazine |url=https://lucire.com/insider/20111025/elisa-sednaoui-is-the-new-face-of-roberto-cavallis-womens-fragrance/ |title=Elisa Sednaoui is the new face of Roberto Cavalli's women's fragrance |date=25 October 2011 |magazine=Lucire}}

• Qasr el-Nil Street

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• search using Google, criteria [https://www.google.com/search?q=when+Elisa+Sednaoui+was+married&oq=when+Elisa+Sednaoui+was+married&aqs=chrome..69i57.10959j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 "when Elisa Sednaoui was married"]

{{Commons category}}

• {{iMDb name|3412453}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sednaoui, Elisa}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:French female models

Category:French film actresses

Category:French film directors

Category:French women film directors

Category:French people of Syrian descent

Category:French people of Italian descent

Category:Egyptian Melkite Greek Catholics

Category:21st-century French actresses

Category:IMG Models models