Venice Film Festival fashion: 18 dresses by Arab designers spotted on the red carpet

From J Lo in Georges Hobeika to Jessica Chastain in Zuhair Murad, the influence of the region was rife at the world's oldest film festival

Dubai influencer Farhana Bodi wore Saudi Arabian label Eman Alajlan for the premiere of 'The Card Counter' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2021. Getty Images

Kate Hudson, in a black dress by Lebanese brand Monot, attends the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by The Red Sea Film Festival during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2021. Getty Images

Eiza Gonzalez and Demi Moore, both wearing Monot, attend the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by The Red Sea Film Festival during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2021. Getty Images

Jessica Chastain, centre, wore an ice blue embellished Elie Saab gown for a screening of 'The Hand Of God' at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Getty Images

Nilufar Addati wore a white feathered embellished gown by Lebanese label Rami Kadi for the premiere of 'The Hand Of God' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Getty Images

Italian influencer Flora Dalle Vacche wore a nude embellished gown by Rami Kadi for the premiere of 'La Caja' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2021. Getty Images

Actress Jessica Chastain wore a plum lace-insert jumpsuit by Zuhair Murad as she arrived at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2021. Getty Images

Madalina Ghenea wore a dramatic black gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad for the premiere of 'Lost Illusions' during the 78th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, on September 5, 2021. EPA

Sara Croce, in a hot pink embellished Zuhair Murad gown, attends the red carpet of the 'Filming Italy Award' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2021. Getty Images

Giulia Gaudino, in a one-shoulder satin Zuhair Murad gown, attends the red carpet for 'La Caja' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2021. Getty Images

Raya Abirached, in a black Zuhair Murad gown, attends the premiere of 'Competencia Oficial' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2021. Getty Images

Raya Abirached, in a navy sequin Rami Al Ali dress, attends the premiere of 'Madres Paralelas' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2021. Getty Images

Raya Abirached, in a blue asymmetric gown by Lebanese atelier Naja Saade, attends the red carpet for 'The Card Counter' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2021. Getty Images

Fatima Al Banawi, in a purple Tony Ward couture gown, attends the premiere of 'Madres Paralelas' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2021. Getty Images

Leonie Hanne, wearing Rami Kadi, arrives on the red carpet for the premiere of the film 'Old Henry' during the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice. AP

Jennifer Lopez, in a white couture gown by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika, attends 'The Last Duel' with Ben Affleck. Reuters

Madalina Ghenea, in a black velvet gown by Zuhair Murad, is seen at the amfAR gala during Venice Film Festival on September 10, 2021. Getty Images

Natalia Paragoni, in a navy embellished caped gown by Zuhair Murad, attends the red carpet for 'America Latina' during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2021. Getty Images

After a year of disrupted schedules and cancellations for events around the globe, the 78th Venice International Film Festival enjoyed a return to its former glory over the past 11 days, as the great and good of Hollywood descended on the Italian city.

A-listers pulled out all the stops as they returned to the red carpet, with plenty of stars choosing Arab designers to dress them for the occasion.

Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad was spotted on a number of stars at the festival, including actress Jessica Chastain who chose a plum, lace-insert jumpsuit by the brand as she arrived at the festival ahead of the premiere of her film Scenes from a Marriage.

The designer also dressed the likes of Natalia Paragoni and Madalina Ghenea over the course of the festival.

All eyes were on Jennifer Lopez on Friday as she made her red carpet debut with boyfriend Ben Affleck, more than 17 years after the couple ended their engagement. The pair attended the premiere of Affleck's new film, The Last Duel, alongside co-stars Matt Damon and Jodie Comer.

But it was J Lo who stole the show in a form-fitting white gown by Lebanese atelier Georges Hobeika. The couture gown featured a low-cut, crystal neckline. The singer and actress paired the look with diamond drop earrings by Cartier.

Lebanese brand Monot was also spotted on some big-name stars, as Kate Hudson and Demi Moore each wore looks from the label for the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival during the first weekend of the festival.

Fellow Lebanese houses Rami Kadi and Tony Ward were also spotted on several influencers and stars, as well as Saudi Arabian label Eman Alajlan.

Scroll through the gallery above to see all the looks from Arab designers spotted at the 78th Venice Film Festival.

The festival drew to a close on Saturday after an 11-day run. The winners from this year's event were announced, with Penelope Cruz taking home the award for Best Actress.

Full list of winners of the Venice Film Festival 2021:

Main competition

Best Actress: Penelope Cruz for Parallel Mothers

Best Actor: John Arcilla for On the Job: The Missing 8

Best Young Actor: Filippo Scotti for The Hand of God

Golden Lion for Best Director: Audrey Diwan for L’Evenement (Happening)

Silver Lion for Best Director: Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog

Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: Paolo Sorrentino for The Hand of God

Best Screenplay: Maggie Gyllenhaal for The Lost Daughter

Special Jury Prize: Michelangelo Frammartino for Il Buco

Virtual Reality

Best VR Story: David Adler for End of Night

Best VR Experience: Blanca Li for Le bal de Paris de Blanca Li

Best VR Grand Jury Prize: Barry Gene Murphy and May Abdalla for Goliath: Playing with Reality

Lion of the Future: Monica Stan and George Chiper-Lillemark for Imaculat

Horizons

Best Film: Pilgrims by Laurynas Bareisa

Best Director: Eric Gravel for A Plein Temps

Best Actor: Piseth Chhun for White Building

Best Actress: Laure Calamy for A Plein Temps

Orrizonti Audience Award: Teemu Nikki for The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic

Best Short Film: Cristobal Leon and Joaquin Cocina for Los Huesos

Best Screenplay: Peter Kerekes and Ivan Ostrochovsky for 107 Mothers

Special Jury Prize: Kiro Russo for El Gran Movimiento