At the 2026 Venice Film Festival this week, several Arab designers garnered attention on the red carpet, showcasing their work on a diverse array of international stars. The presence of Middle Eastern fashion highlighted the growing global recognition of the region’s couture houses.
German model Leonie Hanne appeared at the screening of “Succedera Questa Notte” wearing a strapless ivory gown by Syrian designer Rami Al-Ali. The dress, drawn from Al-Ali’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, featured a bodice embroidered with champagne metallic thread in fine vertical lines that radiated from a narrow waist. The skirt was composed of overlapping panels of pale blush silk, creating a layered, petal-like effect that extended into a short train. Hanne complemented the look with a diamond collar, a bracelet, and styled her hair in a low twisted bun. Al-Ali, originally from Damascus and based in Dubai, gained further recognition last year when he presented his work on the official Paris haute couture schedule.
The Lebanese fashion house Elie Saab also maintained its long-standing association with the Venice festival. American actress Geena Davis wore a black sequined gown by Elie Saab to the premiere of “The Basics of Philosophy.” This marked two decades of the Beirut-based brand’s participation in the festival’s red carpet events. Earlier in the week, Italian model Paola Turani opened the festival in an archival Tony Ward gown from Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter 2014-2015 couture collection. The dark dress, adorned with intricate embroidery and a long train, was worn to both the “Ink” screening and the festival’s opening ceremony on September 2.
Revisiting past collections was a notable trend among attendees. American actress Sydney Sweeney chose a look from Georges Chakra’s Spring 2003 couture line, pairing a sheer lace halter top with sand-colored silk shorts rather than a traditional gown. Model Stella Maxwell also selected an Elie Saab piece from 2003, wearing a black column gown embellished with intricate sheer patterns.
Other Arab designers were represented as well. Lithuanian model Simona Jakstaite wore a silver-blue gown by Aleen Sabbagh, notable for its beaded bodice and deep neckline. Meanwhile, Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania—whose documentary “Four Daughters” is an Academy Award nominee and who currently serves on the main competition jury chaired by Maggie Gyllenhaal—appeared in a gold embellished gown by Tunisian label Nee a Tunis.
The visibility of these designers at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals underscores the expanding influence of Arab couture on the international fashion scene.