Georges Hobeika

Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
The first Arab designer to stage a runway show at this season’s Paris Couture Week, Georges Hobeika‘s Fall/Winter 2022 collection is titled ‘Eternal Gifts’. Below, are five things to know about the presentation.
Georges and Jad Hobeika. Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
1. It was the first show with Jad Hobeika as co-creative director
Earlier this year, ahead of the Beirut and Paris-based brand’s 27th anniversary, designer Georges Hobeika announced that his son, Jad, will join him as co-creative director of his namesake label. “Jad was born in this universe and over the years I gave him more and more space to create because I trust his ideas and hard work,” Hobeika had stated at the time. “He brings something very youthful and modern to the brand.” This was evident in the duo’s debut show since the partnership, which also marks a new chapter for the storied maison.
Amira Al Zuhair. Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
2. The collection is an ode to Mother Nature, the planet Earth, and humanity
The show notes for the collection read that the pieces were inspired by a need to pay tribute to Earth, humanity, and the “rare gifts” of Mother Nature. Reminded by Georges Hobeika this season, the sentiment continues to be one of the biggest to come out of the Covid-19 lockdowns around the world, as the fashion industry does its bit to honor the planet. Presented on the runway by models like Saudi talent Amira Al Zuhair and influencer Leonie Hanne, art-like pieces in mesmerizing hues aimed to capture the natural wonders of the world, from waterfalls to the sun.
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
3. Maximalist details reigned supreme
Among other things, it is Georges Hobeika’s jaw-dropping elements that have led its pieces to be a celebrity-favorite, having been worn by Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and many more. These very details were championed this season by employing “innovative techniques” inspired by the ever-changing world, from airbrushed fabrics to metallic spikes. On the runway, pieces came dripping entirely in crystal embroidery, lined with feathers, showcasing daring cuts, and others blooming with a bunch of flowers. Expect to see some of these on your favorite stars walking the red carpet soon.
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
4. The collection evoked a Mediterranean sunset for Fall/Winter 2022
Borrowing from “Mother Nature’s palette”, Georges Hobeika painted a Mediterranean sunset in the collection that rekindles the cheerful spirit of summer in the colder season. Think, fresh hues of ocean-inspired blues and sunset tones of peachy orange, and yellow, merging with fuchsia and pink, and punctuated by a delicate pistachio shade and glittering black.
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
5. The Georges Hobeika woman values self-expression
A constant theme in the collection was that of the freedom to express yourself—whether that is in a spiky mini dress, or a floor-grazing gown with layers of ruffles jutting out. According to the brand, the Georges Hobeika woman is one who is “valiantly navigating a new world taking shape in front of our eyes,” and what better than pieces meticulously crafted by the seamstresses in the brand’s Beirut atelier as the wardrobe?
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Tara Emad in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Instagram.com/taraemad
Tara Emad is bringing her unique brand of cool girl style to Madrid and championing Arab designers at the same time. The Egyptian actor is currently in the Spanish city for the unveiling of Cartier’s new high jewelry collection, and making the most of the sun-drenched weather in uplifting outfits.
For her first stop, the Suits Arabia star stepped out in a yellow mini skirt, paired with a knee-length coat style top by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. The statement piece came with a lapel collar and tufts of feathers at the elbows, which struck the right balance between professional and playful. A pair of nude stilettos and a chrome clutch completed her look.
Tara Emad in Elie Saab. Photo: Instagram.com/taraemad
After momentarily slipping into a romantic strappy red dress during the day, Emad later made a showstopping appearance in a white gown by Elie Saab. Emad sat front row for the jewelry presentation wearing a flowy one-shoulder dress with bow detailing at the sleeve, and a sultry cut-out at the waist above a thigh-high slit. Stylists Maissa and Sahar Azab accessorized her look with a metallic choker and earrings with red stones, and a silver box clutch and white heels from Jimmy Choo.

While Emad wore her hair down in a pin-straight style for her first appointment in Madrid, she later wore it in a sleek bun to complement the Elie Saab number, with blushed cheeks and a matte red pout for her makeup look.
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Photo: Elias Abkar, courtesy of Instagram.com/nancyajram
After performing sold-out shows in Abu Dhabi and Cairo earlier this year, Nancy Ajram arrived in Cyprus for another enthralling concert. On June 4, the Lebanese pop star entertained a crowd of fans with a set list of her hit tracks while representing her home country through her outfit. Known to take the stage in glittering ensembles, Ajram’s latest look was no different as it came from Georges Hobeika’s Fall/Winter 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection.
Photo: Elias Abkar. Courtesy of Instagram.com/nancyajram
The former Vogue Arabia cover star performed in a honey-hued sleeveless number by the Lebanese designer, that came with gold sequins along the neckline and bodice. Styled by Sarah Keyrouz, the dress also featured a two-toned skirt with pleats that flowed gracefully as Ajram moved on stage. The mother-of-three kept the rest of her look simple with a few gold rings and matching earrings, while her glam for the concert complemented her dress. Hairstylist Renzi Zgheib added volume and waves to the singer’s golden brown locks, while makeup artist Rita Berkachi created a glowy look with brown smoky eyes, peach-toned blush, and nude lips.
Photo: Elias Abkar. Courtesy of Instagram.com/nancyajram
Ajram will next take her anticipated concert to Paris, where she will perform at the Olympia Theater on June 10, before returning to the region for the Ayla Music Festival in Jordan on June 18. Expect the pop star to serve up more noteworthy looks in the coming month.
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Raya Abirached. Photo: Instagram.com/rayaofficial
The 2022 Academy Awards took place on Sunday with a greater sense of normalcy compared to the past few years’ ceremonies, calling for noteworthy red carpet style. And who better than designers from the Arab world to deliver just that on Hollywood’s biggest night?
Representing the region was Raya Abirached, who trusted the sartorial power of a sophisticated black gown for her attendance. The presenter’s dress for the evening was picked from fellow Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad‘s Pre-Fall 2022 collection, and featured a strapless corseted bodice that flowed into a pleated skirt made with gleaming silk mikado. Put together by celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad, Abirached’s outfit also came with dazzling jewelry from Bulgari, which she showed off by wearing her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
Mila Kunis in Zuhair Murad. Photo: Getty
Regional talent was also favored by international stars Venus Williams, Chrissy Teigen, and Mila Kunis. While professional tennis player Williams chose a custom white Elie Saab gown, Kunis went the couture route in a gown from Zuhair Murad’s Spring/Summer 2022 couture collection. The rose-colored silk dress featured a ruched one-shoulder bodice, built-in belt, and a long train attached to a fitted skirt.
Chrissy Teigen in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Instagram.com
Making an appearance at the Vanity Fair after-party with husband and singer John Legend, Teigen looked to one of her favorite Arab designers. The model wore a grey-colored number by Georges Hobeika. The one-shoulder dress was adorned with sparkling embellishment and came with an asymmetrical skirt that featured a short hem on one leg and a floor-grazing one on the other.
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Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
“It’s a message of survival in a time when catastrophe can be found everywhere you look,” read the notes of Georges Hobeika’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection. While presenting artful creations and uplifting pieces may have become the post-pandemic norm, it doesn’t make the thought any less significant. Serving one of the many purposes of fashion, designers continue to make people dream with their work, and the Lebanese couturier’s latest offering does just that by transporting fancies to outer space. “We’re focusing on the present while dreaming of a beautiful future,” says Jad Hobeika, co-creative director of the Beirut-born brand. “This collection embodies the women of tomorrow, the future, the dreams.”
Inspired by an “imaginary journey into space” and the planet Mars, the collection bursts with intergalactic shades of black, purple, and blue, mixed with softer petal hues of pink, orange, and yellow. Sequins abound as “celestial hand-embellishments”, evoking the glamorous ’60s that currently appeal to the youth. “The collection speaks to the fire of a generation that fights for love, unapologetically…” remarks Hobeika. “A vision that takes fashion to a new level of freedom, elegance, and simplicity.”
There are dresses that may be seen on the red carpet come award season on both a younger star like Olivia Rodrigo or an iconic one like Jennifer Lopez, such as Hobeika’s versions of the cut-out dress. They are elevated with his signature feathers in white, an edgier one in black with faux fur covered sleeves, another with a monogrammed fabric, and a softer piece in pink with a one-sided cape. Other evening wear standouts include one-shoulder dresses rendered entirely in sequins in a gradient of shades, tulle dresses with floral embroidery which are paired with gloves, and Hobeika’s signature caped gowns. In contrast, the collection also features more grounded looks for daytime including soft-armor pantsuits, jumpsuits, and blazers. The powerful tailored pieces contribute to the designer’s vision of the “new Georges Hobeika woman who commands respect.”
Discover some of the best looks from the collection below.
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
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Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
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Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
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Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
Photo: Courtesy of Georges Hobeika
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In honor of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s 48th birthday today (November 1), we pay homage to the Bollywood beauty (who somehow looks better every year) by rounding up her most memorable fashion moments while wearing designs by regional couturiers.
Every year during the Cannes film festival, the Indian star gravitates towards glamorous creations from the likes of Lebanese designer Elie Saab and Dubai-based Michael Cinco. Who can forget in 2009 when the Bride and Prejudice actor stepped out on the red carpet wearing a grey, one-shouldered gown by Elie Saab? Indeed, it’s still one of her most unforgettable fashion moments nearly 10 years later.
The mother of nine-year-old daughter Aaradhya also shows her appreciation for young emerging talents from the Arab world, such as Lebanese couturier Rami Kadi, whose elegant designs she wore to the Cannes Film Festival on separate occasions. Memorably, at the 2016 edition of the cinematic event, the former Miss World winner stole the spotlight in a flower-embellished, off-the-shoulder gown by the Beirut-based designer. She would go on to turn heads in one of his creations again, in 2018, when she stepped out in front of the cameras donning a sequin-embellished, strapless gown that proved her status as the Queen of Cannes. For her appearance in 2019, she opted for an embossed holographic laser leather number by Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji. The fluorescent gown caught sunlight in all the right ways, changing colors from gold and orange into green and yellow.
In the gallery above, we take a look at the Bollywood star’s fiercest fashion moments while donning creations by Middle Eastern designers on the red carpet. Happy birthday, Aishwarya!
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Although virtual, last night’s  27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) did not keep Hollywood stars from dressing in show-stopping outfits. In the absence of the red carpet, stars took to Instagram to show off their outfits for the pre-recorded awards through portraits which are starting to become a norm at virtual award shows.
Some of the best dressed included British-American actor Lily Collins who was a presenter at the event and wore a bedazzled pink dress from Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika’s spring 2018 couture collection. American actor and SAG awards nominee Jurnee Smollett also made an appearance in a dress by another Lebanese couturier, Zuhair Murad. The voluminous fuchsia-colored ball gown featured a plunging neckline and was plucked from the designer’s pre-fall 2021 collection. Lastly, nominated for The Flight Attendant American singer Merle Dandridge chose a black and silver jumpsuit with a bright blue bow for the occassion, from Georges Chakra’s fall 2018 couture collection.

Among other nominees, Viola Davis took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her iconic role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in a bright green Louis Vuitton dress. For her portrayal of Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, which she accepted in a beige and black Vera Wang dress. American actor Kerry Washington paid homage to the roaring twenties with a heavily suquined royal blue Etro dress, which she paired with a matching headpiece. Irish actor Nicola Coughlan known for her role in Bridgerton as Penelope Featherington, also made best dressed lists for her virtual appearance in a black Christian Siriano dress.
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Jennifer Lopez in Georges Hobeika, with Stevie Mackey. Photo: Instagram/@georgeshobeika

Jennifer Lopez recently treated her fans to a surprise music video release for the festive season. Joining forces with Stevie Mackey and The Eleven for their rendition of It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the American star is seen wearing a Georges Hobeika design in the video.
The 51-year-old singer dazzled in a crop top and tulle skirt ensemble plucked from the Lebanese designer’s couture Fall/Winter 2020-21 collection, and styled it with a slicked-back high ponytail. Sharing a photo of Lopez in the Beirut-based fashion house’s creation on Instagram, the designer wrote, “The queen of glamour, JLo, making an entrance, in her latest Holiday music video, in a Georges Hobeika pearls and sequins embroidered crop top and a laser cut tulle skirt from the Couture FW20-21 collection.”  The stunning look added to the glitz and glamor of the music video which also features an outfit change by Lopez. For her second look, the star is seen wearing a voluminous, tiered, red gown which she paired with wavy hair and a festive crimson pout.

This is not the first time the Hustlers star has worn a Georges Hobeika number. Earlier last year in January, Lopez walked the red carpet of the 2020 SAG Awards in a black, off-the-shoulder gown by the Lebanese couturier, which followed her appearance at the 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards in a form-fitting, cream colored and bejeweled gown also by Georges Hobeika.
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For her head-turning moments on the red carpet, and other public appearances, Lopez is known to often opt for creations by Arab designers, with Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad being her favorite. Speaking of the designer in an interview she once said, “I love Zuhair, he’s probably my favorite.” Other regional designers worn by Lopez include Elie Saab, Nicolas Jebran, Reem Acra, and Maison Yeya.
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The year 2020 has been one unlike any other. However, despite the many challenges in creativity and cancelation of red carpet events, there were still plenty of noteworthy sartorial moments, particularly at the hands of Arab designers.
A standout moment of the year was Lebanese soprano Majida El Roumi‘s first-ever magazine cover story, for Vogue Arabia’s June 2020 issue. The icon looked extraordinary in gowns by Lebanese couturiers Georges Hobeika and Zuhair Murad for her cover shoot.
Arguably, some of this year’s best looks came from Saudi Arabia‘s most international designer, and Vogue Arabia’s December 2020 cover star Ashi, founder of the label Ashi Studio. Several of Ashi’s incredible creations were worn by French-Italian supermodel, and fellow Vogue Arabia December cover star Cindy Bruna, for their shoot. Additionally, one of the most talked-about ensembles of the year was Beyoncé‘s black hand-made embroidered piece by Ashi Studio, worn in her Black Is King film. And who can forget the custom-made white Ashi Studio number worn by actor Billy Porter to the virtual Emmy Awards?
From Jennifer Lopez‘s showstopping sweeping black gown by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika at the Sag Awards in January to the elegant glittering gold Zuhair Murad creation worn by Egyptian icon Yousra to the Oscars in February, Arab designers were once again responsible for creating some of the very best looks at Hollywood award events. Perhaps one of the most memorable looks of the awards season is the gown by Syrian designer Reem Masri, worn by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, that was embellished with calligraphy translating to, “we dared to dream and we will not regret dignity.” Unsurprisingly, Elie Saab‘s stunning creations were also a favorite among stars this year, especially the voluminous dress worn by Mulan star Liu Yifei, for her Hollywood red carpet debut.
As 2020 comes to a close, take a look at Vogue Arabia’s pick of the best looks by Arab designers this year, in the gallery above.
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