Cannes red carpet: Eva Longoria and Nadine Labaki lead strong showing of Lebanese designs


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

As the Cannes Film Festival heads into its first weekend, the stars continue to shine on the red carpet.

Lebanese designers were a popular choice, with Eva Longoria wearing a sequin-embellished Elie Saab Haute Couture gown accented with a sharp V-neckline during the Kinds of Kindness premiere on Friday. She was later spotted hugging Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who arrived in a shimmery double-shaded green and silver gown by Falguni Shane Peacock, featuring a trail and dramatic shoulders. They took a moment to pose for a photo together.

Meanwhile, TV presenter Diala Makki showcased outfits from Syrian designer Rami Al Ali and later from Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. Her first outfit was a blush pink jumpsuit paired with a flowing, floor-length cape, featuring a plunging neckline and billowy sleeves. Her second outfit was a strapless, form-fitting creation adorned with deep blue and silver sequins in an intricate baroque-inspired pattern.

Zuhair Murad was another popular choice, with actress Victoria Justice wearing a sheer black off-shoulder gown with horizontal metallic embroidery and a bow detail. TV presenter and model Annabella Hilal sported an ivory-coloured fully embroidered top with a matching skirt veiled by an attached chiffon stole. Model Alessiya Merzlova wore a blue sleeveless gown with ruffle tulle details.

Diala Makki in a Georges Hobeika dress at the Chopard Trophy gala. Getty Images
Diala Makki in a Georges Hobeika dress at the Chopard Trophy gala. Getty Images

Veteran Egyptian actress and singer Youssra wore a shimmery silver and gold embroidered dress from Tony Ward, while Chinese actress Jing Liang wore a striking white-and-black gown from the same atelier.

Other outfits from Lebanese designers spotted at the festival include Georges Chakra, who dressed TV presenter Raya Abirached in a red velvet couture gown with a structured strapless neckline and a cascade of embellishments at the waist. Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki, who is a jury member this year, wore a black Jean Louis Sabaji dress with an embellished collar and sleeves.

Meanwhile, Indian actress Urvashi Rautela shined in a custom design from Tunisian designer Souhir El Gabsi.

Lebanese designer Fouad Sarkis also dressed a number of attendees, including actress Sandy Aouad, TikTok star Elie Fy, Indian influencer Aastha Shah and models Kate Alexeeva and Loredana Salanta.

Saudi filmmakers Raneem and Dana Almohandes also wore all-black ensembles by Sarkis at the Women in Cinema Gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival and Vanity Fair Europe.

Six women were also honoured at the event for "fiercely redefining what is possible for future generations of female storytellers". They were Saudi actors Aseel Omran and Adhwa Fahad, filmmaker Ramata-Toulaye Sy, popular Thai actor Sarocha Chankimha, Bollywood actress Kiara Advani and acclaimed Egyptian actor Salma Abu Deif.

The Cannes Film Festival runs until Saturday

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

Updated: May 19, 2024, 6:21 AM`