We are in the middle of awards season and Oscars fever seems to be at a peak. While we spotted many Arab designers in previous years and, more recently, on the red carpet at the Grammy and Bafta awards this year, we can’t help but hope the impressive nominees pick regional talents for their moment in the spotlight.
From Nadine Labaki to Lady Gaga, here’s who we recommend the stars should wear at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday 24 February.
NADINE LABAKI
Nadine Labaki (Getty), Elie Saab
“Usually, Nadine Labaki goes for an elegant and minimalist red carpet style, with gowns in classic cuts and darker colors. For the Oscars 2019, where her movie Capharnaüm is nominated as best foreign language film, I would like to see her wearing something brighter, showcasing her great physique in a chic way. This white dress from Elie Saab’s latest couture show would accentuate Labaki’s skin tone and dark hair, creating a guaranteed ‘wow’ moment in front of the flashes. The side bling gives that extra dose of glamour that is so spot-on for the region. Being one of the most gorgeous and elegant women of the Arab world, she can pull it off.”
Manuel Arnaut, editor-in-chief
AMY ADAMS
Amy Adams (Getty), Amal Al Raisi
“No one does old-school Hollywood glamour like Amy Adams – and with her strawberry blonde hair she’d look simply breathtaking in this caped pink gown from Omani designer Amal Al Raisi’s SS19 collection. This is Adams’ sixth Oscar nomination – for best supporting actress for her role in Vice – and a gold statuette would be just the accessory to complement the delicate hand-embroidery.”
Christine van Deemter, copy editor
MELISSA MCCARTHY
Melissa McCarthy (Getty), Reem Acra
“Playing a failing writer whose taste in fashion is nonexistent, lead actress nominee Melissa McCarthy needs a gown to show off her true style prowess. Often pictured in an A-lined gown on the red carpet, a dress from Lebanese designer Reem Acra’s SS19 collection would look romantic, and fit her in all the right places.”
Alexandra Venison, beauty editor
GLENN CLOSE
Glenn Close (Getty), Zuhair Murad
“Arguably the one to watch on the red carpet this awards season is Glenn Close – at 71, she’s dressing better than ever: confident, polished, and tailored to perfection. A longtime fan of an elevated trouser suit, I would love to see her in this Zuhair Murad white SS19 suit with front tie detailing. I would add a simple camisole underneath to make it more modest for the iconic star.”
Claire Carruthers, executive fashion editor
EMMA STONE
Emma Stone (Getty), Zuhair Murad
“With Emma Stone’s effortless balance of delicate and edgy red carpet looks, she usually opts for gowns from French fashion houses such as Givenchy and Louis Vuitton. At the 2019 Academy Awards, where she is nominated for her supporting role in The Favourite, I’d love to see the star veer more in the direction of Arab designer Zuhair Murad. Combining both edgy and delicate elements with its Cinderella-like gown shape in soft hues and its strong metallics cascading down the dress, this look would encapsulate everything the Oscar nominee strives for while also maintaining classic red-carpet glamour.”
Nour Altoukhi, intern
LADY GAGA
Lady Gaga (Getty), Ashi Studio
“Lady Gaga has a history of pushing the envelope with her red carpet sartorial choices – 2010’s meat dress immediately comes to mind. However, her approach to dressing up has taken on a less outlandish route in recent months. For the worldwide promo tour for her role in A Star is Born, the singer-turned-actor has embraced unabashed glamour, choosing straight-off-the-runway pieces and making them her own. Inspired by the bygone eras of the 1950s, Ashi Studio‘s sheer white, crystal-laden gown paired with a dramatic feather cape offers just the right amount of Hollywood glamour with an added dose of drama, that also serves as a subtle nod to the fur-trimmed number worn by Janet Gaynor in the 1937 version of the film’s final scene.”
Khaoula Ghanem, Online Writer
OLIVIA COLMAN
Olivia Colman (Getty), Zuhair Murad
“British actor Olivia Colman has been a major star in her home country for years, but her stellar performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite finally sees her receiving the international acclaim she deserves. As such, it’s only befitting that she should grace the red carpet in a truly regal outfit that reflects her talent. This stunning embellished blazer and tailored trousers combo from Zuhair Murad’s SS19 collection provides the perfect modern, majestic look – chic yet making a standout elegant impact.”
Alexandria Gouveia, managing editor
JENNIFER HUDSON
Jennifer Hudson (Getty), Rami Al Ali
“Hudson has never had any trouble showing off her hourglass figure with a feminine touch on the Oscar red carpet. It’s been 12 years since she won best supporting actress for her performance in Dreamgirls. This year, she has been nominated for best original song for “I’ll Fight” from RBG. I’d like to see the actor-singer wearing a show-stopping red number from Dubai-based Syrian-born designer Rami Al Ali’s SS19 Couture collection. The gown will accentuate her shape and the drama will add the glamorous factor.”
Mohammad Hazem Rezq, editorial & fashion coordinator
MARINA DE TAVIRA
Marina De Tavira (Getty), Zuhair Murad
“For Marina de Tavira’s Oscar appearance this year, I would love to see her go bold in a new couture creation from Zuhair Murad’s SS19 collection. She is nominated for best supporting actress for her role in Roma and since the film is set in the early 70s, it would be nice to see her in a similar look.”
Khulood Ahmed, online writer
YALITZA APARICIO
Yalitza Aparicio (Getty), Georges Hobeika
“Yalitza Aparicio, the 24-year-old primary school teacher from rural Mexico who plays the role of Cleo, a worn-out nanny, in Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, deserves to look every inch the Oscar nominee this season. This glorious silk chiffon dress with muted kaleidoscopic colors would accentuate her petite frame and raven hair without swallowing her silhouette, making it the perfect red carpet look. We are rooting for you, Yalitza!”
Katie Trotter, fashion director
RACHEL WEISZ
Rachel Weisz (Getty), Georges Hobeika
“This dress will show off Rachel Weisz’s elegant neckline to perfection. What could be more perfect for the actor nominated for her supporting role in The Favourite than this beaded gown from Georges Hobeika, which gives off lady-meets-Bond-girl vibes?”
Donna Williams, art director
Read Next: All The Celebrities Who Wore Arab Designers At The BAFTA And Grammy Awards 2019
