DUBAI: Fairies, brides in black and hand-knit dolls take the runway in Dubai this week for the fifth Arab Fashion Week, a five-day affair focused on instantly available “ready couture” and pre-collections.
At the opening shows Wednesday night, ballgowns and evening gowns appeared in full force, with Lebanese designer Saher Dia showcasing a collection inspired by old Hollywood — including a metallic-fringed dress that appeared to be a modern-day tribute to Ginger Rogers.
And in a city that has become a metaphor for luxury, Filipino designer Furone One, of Dubai’s Amato Couture, turned his models into fairies living the high life.
“This collection is inspired by fairies — sea fairies, all kinds of fairies, because as a child I believed in fairies,” Furone told AFP backstage.
His collection did not disappoint.
The celebrity favorite, who has dressed Beyonce, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum among others, sent more than 20 models down the runway in holographic and pearl headpieces.
Embroidered or beaded, gowns in muted blues, blushes and beiges were paired with voile capes and purses made from seashells in a collection that was still wearable for the Dubai crowd. “For me, Arabs are very creative,” One said.
“They love to experiment, they love to explore,” he added. “Here in Dubai, you have the time for luxury.”
While Aiisha Ramadan, the Lebanese designer who has garnered a dedicated following in the Gulf for her traditional abaya robes, did embrace the unisex structured blazer; hers had blue ruffled overlays pouring out of the shoulder pads.
“The Arab client is definitely changing,” Ramadan said backstage, in biker boots studded with crystals.
“She’s changing in the way she’s thinking. She’s becoming simpler, someone who wants to shine more than the dress on her.”
The shows this week will also feature Mua Mua’s hand-knit celebrity dolls, made in Bali by Italian designer Ludovica Virga.
Fairies, brides in black descend on Arab Fashion Week
Fairies, brides in black descend on Arab Fashion Week
Arab designers shine bright at the Golden Globes
DUBAI/ LOS ANGELES: Arab designers dressed a handful of stars at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on Sunday, with talent from Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia among the designers to be featured on the awards ceremony red carpet.
Show host Nikki Glaser took to the red carpet at the event in a baby pink gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.
The outfit, one of many costume changes for Glaser on Sunday night, hailed from his Resort 2026 collection.
For her part, Kylie Jenner was spotted at the awards ceremony in a custom-made silver gown by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Paris-based label Ashi Studio.
Irish TV personality Maura Higgins looked elegant in a figure-hugging black gown with a textured golden shawl-like accessory by Dubai-based Egyptian designer Marmar Halim.
Timothee Chalamet and a sea of other stars also said goodbye to color at this year's Golden Globes, opting instead for black.
Ariana Grande left behind her “Wicked” character's signature pink color for a black Vivienne Westwood couture dress but brought back her ponytail. Other notable celebrities in black included Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Mia Goth.
Edebiri chose a black off-the-shoulder Chanel dress embellished with jewels on the shoulders from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show.
Celebrities held onto their gowns and watched their steps as they posed for photos on high stairs that served as the red carpet. Like the Met Gala, they lined up at the bottom and had to perilously climb their way up.
The 83rd Golden Globes gives a glimpse into how celebrities will showcase their original take on fashion as the awards season progresses. Since 1944, the show has honored the best in film and television.
The carpet, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, is a chance for nominees to make a statement, though some are beholden to fashion houses who pay them as ambassadors.
Several, including George Clooney, wore Giorgio Armani. The fashion world lost Armani in September, but his eponymous brand lives on.
“It was nice to see so many attendees, including Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson, wearing the brand and pay tribute,” said Véronique Hyland, fashion features director for Elle.
Stars also shone in metallics. “Sentimental Value” actor Renate Reinsve twirled on the carpet in a shimmery silver tasseled dress by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton. Her co-star Elle Fanning's Gucci dress was embroidered with Norwegian flowers in honor of their Norwegian drama film.
