Hend Al Otaiba, the first woman to serve as the UAE’s ambassador to France, wore a custom-made dress by Emirati designer Ahmed Alkhyeli to a state dinner held at the Palace of Versailles on Monday.
Al Otaiba joined a delegation of ministers and senior officials for the evening event, which was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron in honour of President Sheikh Mohamed’s visit.
The elegant gown featured a crystal-lined neck, long sleeves and a fitted bodice, which led into a flowing satin skirt.
The look was paired with a bowknot brooch, designed by Joseph Chaumet in 1922.
Khyeli was established in London and describes itself as a label for women who are “strong, educated and successful while retaining a strong sense of her femininity”, it counts Lady Gaga and Lili Reinhart among its celebrity fans.
Al Otaiba has also championed regional brands during the UAE's French state visit, including a custom skirt suit by Saudi label Ashi Studio.
Speaking to The National in France, Al Otaiba said: "The relationship with France is not one solely based on agreements but also on a common vision for the world and an understanding of each other’s cultures.
"Our ties run deep, and France was one of our first allies back in the 1970s. This special relationship has developed for more than four decades, and now englobes deep and rich collaborations across political, economic, and cultural fields.
"We are proud to host the largest French and Francophone expatriate community in the Gulf, and to be part of a large-scale cooperation on culture and education with a country, for which these themes hold the same importance as they do for us.
"The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the International Organisation of Francophonie programmes are just two examples of that bond."
Scroll through the gallery below to see pictures from the UAE's state visit to France
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President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron and Brigitte Macron, the French president's wife. -
The Emirati and French presidents wave in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace. -
A military guard stands to attention as the two leaders meet. -
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron pictured shortly before Sheikh Mohamed's arrival. -
French military personnel line up in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace. -
The red carpet is rolled out ahead of Sheikh Mohamed's arrival, in this image shared on his Twitter account -
Sheikh Mohamed pictured in a photo shared on his Twitter account -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace. Also present are Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council member; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director group chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company; and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, group chief executive of Adnoc and chairman of Masdar. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed attends an official reception, hosted by Sebastien Lecornu, France's Minister of the Armed Forces, at the Army Museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Lecornu stand for the French national anthem during the official reception. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE delegation at the Army Museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed at the Army Museum at Les Invalides palace. Pictured with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, left, and Mr Lecornu. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, at the Army Museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attends a reception at the Army Museum. Seen with Xavier Chatel, French ambassador to the UAE. Photo: Presidential Court -
A French honour guard at the Army Museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate, left, inspect the honour guard before a meeting at the Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is received by Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate, at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Larcher at the Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed signs a guest book at the Luxembourg Palace. Seen with Mr Larcher. Photo: Presidential Court
After touching down in Paris on Sunday, Sheikh Mohamed warmly embraced the French president, describing Macron as a friend and his country as one of the UAE's closest allies.
"I was pleased to arrive in France, a close strategic ally of the UAE, and meet my friend President Emmanuel Macron," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter in Arabic, English and French.
"Our countries enjoy longstanding partnerships across many fields. We look forward to further collaborations and strengthening ties towards a prosperous future."
