Cannes Film Festival 2021

The Cannes film festival is back, and with it, so is red-carpet glamour. The return has enabled regional stars to flock enthusiastically to the French Riviera and turn heads at the opening ceremony of the 74th Cannes film festival. Arab fashion houses aren’t far behind, becoming the go-to designers for renowned names in the industry for one of the world’s most fashionable red carpets.
Middle Eastern representation was hard to miss as German model Lorena Rae made an appearance in a skin-tone feathered gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, while Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid championed vintage fashion in archival Jean Paul Gaultier. Whether it was layered textures carried by Dubai-based influencer Farhana Bodi in a yellow tulle ballgown by Omani label Atelier Zuhra, or Emirati influencer Ola Farahat making a case for the color salmon in an Alberta Ferretti dress, the region’s presence, and design talent reigned at the event.

Click through the gallery above for some of the best Arab representation at the 74th Cannes film festival.

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The Cannes Film Festival is the world’s biggest red carpet. For 75 years, the event’s lineup of premieres and parties has enriched the film industry while providing style devotees with a seemingly endless array of standout fashion. Cannes’ dress code is famously strict and arguably passé, but it has ensured the festival’s position as the premier showcase for haute couture and decadent gemstones. Cannes is not casual. Unless you’re this year’s inimitably cool jury president, Spike Lee, you don’t get to walk the steps of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès wearing sneakers.
In 2020 there were no premieres or parties due to the coronavirus pandemic and its travel bans, but this year the event comes roaring back. With a jury that includes chic international talent like French-Senegalese director Mati Diop, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, and Tahar Rahim, the fashion was bound to be good, but guests were already exceeding expectations. From the moment Gyllenhaal walked into day on’’s first photocell in a sleek Hedi Slimane-designed black trousers and tube-top combo from Celine, things were off and running.
Opening night at the world premiere of Leo Carax’s Annette, there were impressive outfits as far as the eye could see. Jessica Chastain delivered gothic vibes in a corseted Christian Dior Haute Couture gown paired with nearly 200 carats worth of Chopard rubies, while Lou Doillon twirled in Gucci’s gold lamé. Step up the staircase, and you’d find Bella Hadid posing in vintage Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture, nearly stealing the show from the movie stars. Not to be outdone, Annette’s star Marion Cotillard dazzled in a silver, tea-length Chanel Haute Couture look with so much sparkle it gleamed once the paparazzi began to snap Cotillard’s picture. All in all, it was a thrilling return to form and proof that the red carpet magic lives on.
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Originally published on Vogue.com