• Waad Al-Kateab, in Reem Masri, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Waad Al-Kateab, in Reem Masri, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
  • Chrissy Teigen, wearing Georges Hobeika, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. EPA
    Chrissy Teigen, wearing Georges Hobeika, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. EPA
  • Kerry Washington, wearing Zuhair Murad, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. AP
    Kerry Washington, wearing Zuhair Murad, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. AP
  • Elizabeth Chambers, wearing Zuhair Murad, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. AP
    Elizabeth Chambers, wearing Zuhair Murad, arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday, February 9, 2020. AP
  • Paz Vega, wearing Georges Hobeika, attends the 28th annual Elton John Aids Foundation's Academy Awards viewing party on February 9, 2020. AFP
    Paz Vega, wearing Georges Hobeika, attends the 28th annual Elton John Aids Foundation's Academy Awards viewing party on February 9, 2020. AFP
  • Dita Von Teese, wearing Elie Saab, attends the 28th annual Elton John Aids Foundation's Academy Awards viewing party on February 9, 2020. AFP
    Dita Von Teese, wearing Elie Saab, attends the 28th annual Elton John Aids Foundation's Academy Awards viewing party on February 9, 2020. AFP
  • Jane Fonda, wearing Elie Saab, presents the award for Best Picture at the Academy Awards on February 9, 2020. AFP
    Jane Fonda, wearing Elie Saab, presents the award for Best Picture at the Academy Awards on February 9, 2020. AFP
  • Lilliana Vazquez, in Rami Kadi, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. AFP
    Lilliana Vazquez, in Rami Kadi, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. AFP
  • Carly Steel, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Carly Steel, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
  • Giuliana Rancic, wearing Atelier Zuhra, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Giuliana Rancic, wearing Atelier Zuhra, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
  • Tracee Ellis Ross, in Zuhair Murad, attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. AFP
    Tracee Ellis Ross, in Zuhair Murad, attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. AFP
  • Youssra, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Youssra, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
  • Molly Sims, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Molly Sims, in Zuhair Murad, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
  • Sandra Oh, wearing Elie Saab, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters
    Sandra Oh, wearing Elie Saab, poses on the red carpet during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 9, 2020. Reuters

Oscars 2020: Waad al-Kateab's Arabic-inscribed dress leads best Middle Eastern looks at the Academy Awards


Emma Day
  • English
  • Arabic

It's a night that attracts many of the world's most famous fashion labels to the red carpet – but it wasn't only the runways of Paris or New York represented at the Academy Awards this year.

The 92nd annual Oscars, which took place in LA on Sunday, February 9, were given a little extra sparkle thanks to some of the region's most renowned designers.

However, it was emerging name Reem Masri, of Syria, who made headlines for a gown she designed for For Sama director Waad al-Kateab.

The filmmaker, whose study of a family in war-torn Aleppo was nominated for Best Documentary Feature, wore a dress inscribed with Arabic on its train. The passage translates as: "We dared to dream, and we will not regret dignity."

Scroll through the gallery above to see the best Middle Eastern designs on the red carpet at the Oscars 2020.

Meanwhile, Lebanese couturier Elie Saab dressed Grey's Anatomy star Sandra Oh in a softly glimmering, peach-hued gown, complete with theatrical swirls of tulle around the hem and statement shoulders.

Fellow Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad kitted out actress Molly Sims in a plunging, long-sleeved fawn number, finished with an artfully draped skirt. Youssra also turned to his namesake label, sporting an elegant gold and cream floor-sweeper with a sculpted bodice.

Murad also dressed Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross for the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party, with the actress looking like an actual Oscar in a shimmering golden gown with caped sleeves.

Rami Kadi and Atelier Zuhra were also among the Middle Eastern labels showcasing their creations on the red carpet.

When it comes to the rest of the night's red carpet, click here for our best dressed women, or click here for our best dressed men.

For a full list of who took home awards at the Oscars 2020, click here.