Tessa Thompson stands out in look by French-Moroccan label

Tessa Thompson’s latest film received rave reviews after premiering on Netflix. File/ AFP
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Updated 18 December 2021
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Tessa Thompson stands out in look by French-Moroccan label

DUBAI: US actress Tessa Thompson showed off a psychedelic dress by French-Moroccan label Casablanca while doing press for her latest movie, “Passing.”

The actress met journalists in a figure-hugging dress by the label of the moment, complete with checkered card suits running across the length of the outfit. 

The look hailed from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2021 ready-to-wear collection titled Grand Prix. The line took inspiration from the glamorous city of Monaco, from its Formula One races to its high rolling nightlife, and features a cohort of vibrant colors with diamond patterns, pussybow blouses and power suits galore.

Thompson donned the look to promote her latest film, which has already received rave reviews after premiering on Netflix in November. 

In the film, two former childhood friends reconnect as adults in 1920s New York. Both are able to pass as white women in a city split by racism, but while Irene (Thompson) lives in Harlem with her black husband, she is shocked to learn that Clare (played by Ruth Negga) has climbed the societal ladder and married a white man — played by Alexander Skarsgard, who is given the unpleasant task of playing an overtly racist, intensely unlikeable man with no clue as to his wife’s heritage. Despite Irene’s misgivings, the two women begin to reconnect, with Clare worming her way into Irene’s circle of friends and, increasingly, her family. 

While speaking to members of the press about the film, Thompson shone in her daytime-appropriate look by Casablanca, which was chosen by Hollywood stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald.

The brand, which has found celebrity fans in the likes of British pop star Dua Lipa, was founded by Charaf Tajer. The Paris-based label is known for its ultra-wearable clothing made out of luxe silks and cashmeres that is inspired by Tajer’s Moroccan roots. 

His debut runway during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in 2018 was a love letter to his parents who met while working side by side in a clothing atelier in the fashion district of Casablanca.

In March, the latest edition of a collaboration between Casablanca x New Balance was released to fanfare online — in fact it sold-out online within minutes 

Drop III came in two silhouettes. The 327 boasts an octopus-like outsole that extends up the shoe and an interlocking Moroccan tile print that stays true to the French-Moroccan designer’s North African roots.


Repossi taps May Calamawy for latest campaign

Updated 08 February 2026
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Repossi taps May Calamawy for latest campaign

DUBAI: Italian jewelry label Repossi has tapped Egyptian-Palestinian Hollywood star May Calamawy to star in its Ramadan 2026 campaign.

The campaign, which was shot in Sharjah in the UAE, features Calamawy showing off pieces by the Paris-headquartered label that is known for taking inspiration from architecture and modern art.

Shot inside Zaha Hadid Architects’ BEEAH Headquarters in Sharjah, Calamawy can be seen wearing signature pieces from the Blast and Serti Sur Vide collection, as well as other classic collections by the brand.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by May Calamawy (@calamawy)

“Celebrating Repossi Savoir-Faire, Heritage and Architectural Poetry (sic),” the actress captioned the campaign video, which she shared with her 354,000 followers on Instagram.

Calamawy is known for her roles in the US Netflix series “Ramy” and “Moon Knight” (2022), where she plays dual characters Layla El-Faouly and the Scarlet Scarab.

She made headlines in late 2024 when almost all her scenes were cut from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” with fans taking to social media to complain.

Her casting in the film was first announced in May 2023.

At the time, Deadline reported that Scott had cast Calamawy after a lengthy search, writing: “While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the (Paul) Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed.”

In January, the star took to Instagram to promote her latest project, which hits theaters in April.

“The Mummy,” a new feature from award-winning Irish writer and director Lee Cronin, will be released on April 17 and features Calamawy alongside Mexican actress Veronica Falcon, Jack Reynor, and Laia Costa. 

The film is produced by Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and New Line Cinema.

“The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare,” the film’s official logline reads.

Calamawy is also known for her activism and regularly takes to social media to support charity initiatives raising money and awareness for Gaza.

In December, she promoted the song “Lullaby,” which the Together for Palestine charity is trying to propel to the Christmas No. 1 spot in the UK chart to raise money for the people of Palestine.