They made heads turn at the Oscars, Cannes Film Festival and Golden Globes, and now Arab designers have stolen the limelight during the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. With all the dazzling ensembles that paraded down the red carpet, it’s easy to see why regional, as well as international celebrities turn to couturiers from the region when it’s time to dress for the world’s most glamorous events.
One of the Middle Eastern stars to stun while making an appearance in Venice was Lebanese Nadine Labaki, who wore Georges Hobeika, a designer from her homeland. The actress and director, who got an Oscar nomination for her film, Capernaum, chose a black silk gown with cape-style sleeves and V-neck, which showed off her jaw-dropping necklace perfectly. Saudi actresses Dhay and Mila Alzahrani also paid sartorial nods to their homeland in one of the Kingdom’s renowned designers, Eman Alajlan.
Meanwhile, Romanian actress and model Mădălina Diana Ghenea made a glittering entrance in a gorgeous gown with lashings of silver embellishments by another Lebanese maestro, Zuhair Murad. The nude-coloured number featured a softly scooped square neckline, train and a thin metallic belt at the waist. Another celebrity to choose a creation by the designer-to-the-stars was Molly Sims. The American actress and model looked simply divine in a pink gown featuring a cascade of frills on the exaggerated shoulders, peek-a-boo lace and a plunging neckline.
Elie Saab, another internationally renowned Lebanese label, made its mark with Alessandra Mastronardi, an Italian actress who was chosen as emcee at the festival. Her bejewelled blush gown is from the Resort 2020 collection. Gabrielle Caunesil also championed the region in an embellished cherry red gown by yet another Lebanese designer, Rami Kadi. The French model’s vibrant, structured gown, from the autumn/winter 2019/2020 couture collection, came with a balloon taffeta skirt and a bodice embroidered with flower sequins. Additionally, Laysla De Oliveira oozed sophisticated glamour in a black velvet autumn 2019 Reem Acra gown that sparkled all over the midriff and sleeves thanks to the sheer crystallised embellishment.
Click through to see all the winning gowns from the region’s amazing designers.
Nadine Labaki in Georges Hobeika at the premiere of “An Officer and a Spy”
Mădălina Diana Ghenea in Zuhair Murad at the “Ad Astra” premiere
Paola Turani in Tony Ward at the “About Endlessness” premiere
Alessandra Mastronardi in Elie Saab at the “About Endlessness” premiere
Gabrielle Caunesil in Rami Kadi at the premiere of “The Truth”
Laysla De Oliveira in Reem Acra at the “Guest of Honour” premiere
Hofit Golan in Gaby Charbachy at the “Adults In The Room” premiere
Mila Alzahrani in Eman Alajla at the premiere of “The Perfect Candidate”
Dhay in Eman Alajlan at the premiere of “The Perfect Candidate”
Molly Sims in Zuhair Murad at the “Marriage Story” premiere
