The Cannes Film Festival is famed for its glitz, glamour and camera-worthy red-carpet moments. This year is no different.
Given the Middle East’s love of polished dressing, it comes as little surprise that many international celebrities turn to regional – specifically Lebanese – designers for out-of-this-world looks. With their sharp instinct for melding elegance and high-octane allure, these designers all but guarantee a show-stopping entrance.
So far, we've spotted looks by Elie Saab, Georges Chakra, Rami Kadi and Zuhair Murad on the red carpet. With the event running until May 24, more regional designers are expected to follow.
Elie Saab
Heidi Klum arrived for the opening night in an Elie Saab gown with a train that went on for a few metres, and that immediately broke the new Cannes red-carpet rules.
The dress-code section of the festival website now includes the following: “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted.”
Having already expressed a bit of healthy rebellion against the fun police, Saab reigned things in for the premiere of Mission Impossible – Final Reckoning. He dressed Eva Longoria in a fully sequinned halter gown in deep sea green. He also styled Heidi Klum a second time in a sleek, panelled dress of molten silver – this time staying well within the rules.
Georges Chakra
Georges Chakra made a return to the Cannes red carpet with long-time client, Lebanese TV personality Raya Abirached.
Wearing a gown from the designer's autumn/winter 2024 couture collection, Abirached arrived in an off-the-shoulder dress the colour of molten demerara sugar. The look featured a flowing skirt and sheer, cathedral-length train, with a deft interplay of high sheen and matte textures. The bodice was adorned with micro-pleats and framed by draped silk chiffon sleeves.
She completed the ensemble with a scattering of asymmetrical diamond jewellery by Cartier.
Rami Kadi
Lebanese couturier Rami Kadi dressed Egyptian actress Amina Khalil and legendary singer and actress Youssra at Cannes.
Clad in all red, Youssra wore a regal, asymmetric column dress with one draped shoulder that became a stole. She completed the look with a set of white diamonds and emeralds by Chopard.
Khalil, meanwhile, arrived in custom-made Rami Kadi in a delicate shade of pink.
Feminine and romantic, the drop-waist gown came with a three-tiered skirt edged in matching marabou feathers.
Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad showcased his versatility on the opening night of the festival, dressing four women in distinctly different styles.
Ukrainian model and entrepreneur Anna Andres wore a sensual, romantic gown in grape chiffon, while Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a sultry teal dress, detailed with pleats, a high slit and a dramatic stole of densely packed ruffles.
French model Chloe Lecareux arrived in a barely-there gown traced with lines of dense beading, layered under a billowing black cape.
Angolan model Maria Borges took a different approach, exuding quiet elegance in a sculptural gown designed to resemble a single piece of fabric twisting around her body and trailing into a court-length train. The result was poised, refined and striking.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
