Get red carpet ready for DIFF

The Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) is many things to many people — a chance to watch first-run films, uncut, from all over the world; an opportunity to learn from the cream of local and global filmmakers; a week of star-spotting; or simply a way to bridge those cultures. Here at tabloid!, it's all of those — and it's a great reason to get dolled up, because for eight days at Madinat Jumeirah, it's red carpet central — and the entire city's invited.

Here's tabloid!'s guide to making sure the paparazzi are screaming your name as you hit the red carpet on the gala nights.

Dubai-based stylist Sarah Maisey — she's the secret style weapon of the city's best dressed — gives tabloid! her top tips for looking like an A-lister on the red carpet at this year's Diff.

Strike a pose
The A-lister trick of posing for a camera (one leg slightly forward, pivot from the waist, hand on hip) done well, really works. In shorts and T-shirt at Barasti, it looks contrived, but in a full length gown, it is elegant and stylish.

Good posture
Stand tall. One look at the A-listers will see them standing tall and proud. Tummy in, shoulders back. Try it , it works.

Kiss and make-up
The effect to aim for is polished, not over-made-up. If you feel like you are wearing too much make-up, then you probably are. You should look like you, but fabulous. Not someone else.

Don't take a shine
Full-length is the way to go for mega-watt glamour. Something in matte silk chiffon will move and sway as you walk, and the matte fabric is very flattering. Avoid shiny fabrics, as they draw attention to lumps and bumps.

Stay true to you
Glamorous events are the perfect excuse to push the boundaries, but it should be an extension of your existing style, not something totally new. If you are happiest in understated nudes, perhaps a bright orange gown is not your best choice.

Well-heeled
Make sure you can walk in your heels! So often overlooked, there is no faster way to degrade a stunning gown than shuffling in ill-thought-out shoes.

Don't miss it
Red carpet gala screenings are Dh80, or Dh425 for a package of six, excluding the opening and closing galas and the Children's Gala. Call 04-3913378.

Get out the big guns

Sarah Maisey’s top five runway-to-red carpet looks

Elie Saab. A big name on any red carpet, his dresses are always amazing. I love this dress in rich teal and its soft draped layers are so flattering. Dubai Mall has one very similar for Dh21,348.

Valentino is famous for show-stopping red dresses, and this ticks every box for the perfect red carpet gown. The store has something similar for Dh11,000.

I love Oscar De La Renta for dreamy creations, and this is deliciously frothy. If, like me, you love the romantic layers, check out the full skirted version in magenta, at Boutique 1, Mall of the Emirates, Dh49,095.

From left: Elie Saab, Oscar de La Renta and Valentino:

Jason Wu, a White House favourite, is emerging as a go-to name for gowns. This is feminine and elegant. Symphony stocks his dresses, and has a fabulous dress of his, in exotic burnt orange, Dh13,800.

For the ultimate statement dress, however, nothing competes with Alexander McQueen. Sell the house if you have to, but buy one of his dresses.

From left: Jason Wu and Alexander McQueen

Copy their style

Sarah Maisey chooses the celebrities you should emulate on the red carpet:

• Eva Mendes “manages to combine Latino sex appeal with elegance”.
• Kate Winslet “has blossomed into a true lady”.
• Sarah Jessica Parker “is tiny, not conventionally pretty, and yet manages to out-dress almost everyone. SJP, I salute you.”
• Cate Blanchett “never looks anything less than impeccable”.