DUBAI: Designers from the Middle East dressed a number of celebrities at the Critics Choice Awards in Hollywood on Sunday, with looks by John Paul Ataker, Georges Hobeika, Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab on show.
US actress Geffri Maya showed off a dramatic gown by New York-based label John Paul Ataker, which is helmed by designer Numan Ataker, who is from Turkey. Maya’s gown hailed from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection.
Meanwhile, US actress Allison Williams opted for a chic white jumpsuit by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, complete with silver detailing on the bodice and waist. The floor-grazing look hailed from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear line.
Actress Mandy Moore went for a summery coral shade with a form-fitting dress created by Lebanon’s Elie Saab. The glittering, textured gown featured peek-a-boo cutouts on the bodice and a plunging neckline.
For her part, US writer, producer, actress, and comedian Quinta Brunson took to the red carpet in a semi-sheer gown by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. The look featured white floral detailing and a sheer skirt.
“Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan's movie about the creation of the atomic bomb, cleaned up at the Critics Choice Awards, winning best picture and seven other prizes over its rivals as the Oscars race heats up.
The $1 billion-grossing movie, now the clear frontrunner for the Academy Awards in March, also won for best director, supporting actor, cinematography, score, ensemble, editing, and visual effects, AFP reported.
Emma Stone won best actress for “Poor Things,” a surreal dark comedy in which she plays a Victorian reanimated corpse with the brain of an infant, who gradually learns about the world but refuses to pander to its social mores and hierarchies.
“Playing Bella was one of the greatest joys of my life. I got to unlearn a lot of things in playing her — unlearn parts of shame, and societal stuff that gets put on us,” she said.
The award is her latest after she won at last weekend's Globes — as did Paul Giamatti, who famously celebrated his victory by taking a late-night trip with his trophy to California's popular fast-food chain In-N-Out Burger.
“I didn't think my week could get any better than going viral for eating a cheeseburger,” joked Giamatti as he won the best actor trophy for 1970s-set prep school comedy “The Holdovers.”
“It's a good story about people connecting in divisive times. So thank you for helping get it out to audiences,” he added.
