DUBAI: Hollywood’s leading women turned to a host of Middle Eastern designers in order to dazzle on the film industry’s biggest night, the Academy Awards, on Sunday night.
“Vampire Academy” actress Zoey Deutch wore a stunning Elie Saab gown in lilac. The teared, beaded dress was given an envelope-pushing edge due to its sheer skirt and the star completed the look with side swept hair and red-hued make-up.
Allison Janney — who took home the Oscar as expected for best supporting actress for her searing portrayal of figure skater Tonya Harding’s mom LaVona in the biopic “I, Tonya” — looked ready for her close-up.
The statuesque actress was red-hot in a show-stopping fire engine red Reem Acra gown with flowing sleeves, a plunging neckline — and plenty of diamonds to fill the gap.
Acra also dressed Helen Mirren, outfitting her in a head-to-toe blue gown which was accented by a show-stopping sapphire and diamond necklace.
Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad was behind the ballroom-ready ball gown worn by “Deepwater Horizon” actress Gina Rodriguez. The expertly-structured soft pink dress was delicately embellished and synched in at the waist with a belt.
However, none of these red carpet wonders made headlines in the same way that a twice-worn dress did. Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish strode on stage in a $4,000 white Alexander McQueen dress she’s worn publicly at least two other times, widely considered a faux pas in Hollywood, spawning a flurry of amused reports. Haddish wore the dress at the premiere of “Girls Trip” in July. She wore it again during her stint as host of “Saturday Night Live” in November — and dedicated half her opening monologue to it.
“My whole team told me, ‘Tiffany, you cannot wear that dress on ‘SNL,’ you already wore it. It’s taboo to wear it twice,” Haddish said on “Saturday Night Live,” she said in the monologue.
“I said, ‘I don’t give a dang about no taboo, I spent a lot of money on this dress,’” Haddish said. “This dress cost way more than my mortgage.”
(With AFP and AP)
Hollywood’s leading ladies turn to Arab designers on the Oscars’ red carpet
Hollywood’s leading ladies turn to Arab designers on the Oscars’ red carpet
Review: Voyna 19 — ready-to-wear pieces designed with precision
- The collection features pieces such as the trench jumpsuit and signature belts, which highlight attention-to-detail and create garments suited for fast-paced urban life
In today’s fashion landscape, a few brands stand out not just for selling clothes but for presenting a clear lifestyle vision.
Among these emerging names gaining attention regionally and internationally is Voyna 19, a contemporary women’s fashion label that blends modesty with modernity and offers a forward-looking take on elegance.
At its core, Voyna 19 focuses on ready-to-wear pieces designed with precision, combining comfort with a bold artistic touch.
The brand recently launched its “Silence” fall-winter 2025/26 collection, which marks an evolution in its identity toward more structured, contemporary pieces.
The capsule emphasizes clean lines, geometric cuts and layering techniques that balance strength and femininity. Each piece is designed for flexibility and movement, catering to women seeking elegance that fits seamlessly into a modern, urban lifestyle.
The collection features pieces such as the trench jumpsuit and signature belts, which highlight attention-to-detail and create garments suited for fast-paced urban life.
The use of textures, precise tailoring and layered silhouettes demonstrates the brand’s commitment to blending practicality with high-concept design.
While Voyna 19 excels in blending modernity with modesty, the brand could further diversify its palette and materials to appeal to a broader range of climates and cultural contexts.
Some pieces, though visually striking, may lean toward conceptual styling that might not fully translate into everyday wear for all women. Expanding accessibility in sizing and experimenting with more versatile, seasonless designs could help the brand to strengthen its global presence.
Voyna 19 represents a rising success story in contemporary fashion, redefining how modesty and elegance can coexist.
