Evening gowns by Arab designers on the red carpet at Cannes

Think flamboyant capes and elaborate embroidery

Nadine Labaki in Georges Chakra. AFP

Viola Davis in Elie Saab. Getty Images for L'Oreal Paris

Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak, left, in a Georges Hobeika couture dress, and Lebanese presenter Raya Abirached in an outfit by Lebanese-Italian fashion designer Tony Ward at the Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images

Izabel Goulart in Zuhair Murad. AP

Pritika Swarup in Zuhair Murad. Getty Images

Australian actress Claire Holt in Georges Chakra. AFP

Diala Makki in a caped ensemble by Rami Al Ali. Getty Images

Saudi actress Mila Al Zahrani in a Rami Al Ali gown. Getty Images for Kering

Australian model Chantal Monaghan in a Georges Hobeika ready-to-wear dress from the spring 2024 collection. AFP

Chinese actress Tong Liya in a Saiid Kobeisy couture gown. Getty Images

Syrian designer Rami Al Ali alongside a plethora of Lebanese dressmakers proved their couture prowess on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, which closed on Saturday.

Spotted on regional and international actors, models and influencers, the gowns by Arab designers – from Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad to Georges Hobeika and Georges Chakra – were impeccably tailored and flamboyantly stylish.

Oscar-nominated Lebanese filmmaker and Cannes jury member Nadine Labaki was spotted in Jean Louis Sabaji and Georges Chakra, while Saudi actress Mila Al Zahrani wore a voluminous Rami Al Ali gown with a cinched waist.

Several looks came with elaborate capes, including a shimmering green number designed by Georges Hobeika for Australian model Chantal Monaghan and a pristine white gown by Georges Chakra for Australian actress Claire Holt.

Our favourite, though, is not a gown, but a sculptural Rami Al Ali creation for Diala Makki. The TV presenter looked effortlessly elegant in an organza blouse and scuba pants with a scuba fabric cape with border embellishments.

Elsewhere, Viola Davis was spotted in a pastel chiffon gown by Elie Saab, while Chinese actress Tong Liya in a sparkling Saiid Kobeisy couture gown. Kobeisy, who has created outfits for Queen Rania of Jordan and Jennifer Lopez, also dressed model Heidi Klum in a bold red look at Cannes.

Fellow Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad showed off his versatility by putting Australian model Shanina Shaik in a stunning red off-shoulder gown, while creating a shimmering sari-like outfit for beauty entrepreneur Pritika Swarup and a sheer black dress with horizontal metallic embroidery and a bow detail for American actress Victoria Justice.