Arab Designers Illuminate the 2025 Oscars Red Carpet: A Celebration of Elegance and Heritage

March 4th, 2025

A New Era For Arab Designers Unfolds On The Oscars Red Carpet.

The 2025 Oscars unfolded with the dazzling display of cinema’s finest, but it was the red carpet that truly stole the show. As Hollywood’s brightest stars graced the stage, they did so draped in the extraordinary craftsmanship of Arab designers whose work is leaving a profound mark on the global fashion scene. With each step, the gowns of Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Mohammed Ashi, and emerging talents like Marmar Halim made it clear: the Oscars had become a stage for Arab couture to shine in all its glory.

Mohammed Ashi: Couture Elegance Redefined

No designer’s influence was more keenly felt than that of Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi. His ability to blend modern sensibilities with a rich heritage of Middle Eastern craftsmanship was on full display when actress Meg Ryan stepped onto the red carpet in a sumptuous velvet gown by Ashi Studio. The gown, with its deep, rich hues and intricate beading, felt both timeless and contemporary—a perfect reflection of Ashi’s design philosophy. His mastery of texture and detail ensures that every gown tells a story, one of quiet sophistication and powerful elegance. 

French-Algerian influencer Lena Mahfouf also embraced Ashi’s visionary work, donning a gown that encapsulated his signature style—luxurious yet bold, with an unapologetic nod to Eastern glamour. Ashi’s delicate embroidery and expert tailoring have long made him a red carpet favourite, but this year, his designs cemented his place as one of couture’s most exciting talents.

Elie Saab: Soft Hues and Effortless Luxury

Of course, no discussion of Arab designers at the Oscars would be complete without the legendary Elie Saab. Known for his mastery of exquisite embroidery and luxurious fabrications, Saab’s creations continue to reign supreme on red carpets around the world. Danish actress Connie Nielsen was the epitome of grace in a soft pink couture gown from Saab’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. With its delicate florals and ethereal silhouette, it was a gown that seemed to float with an effortless elegance—an Elie Saab trademark.

And it wasn’t just Nielsen who chose to wear Saab’s couture brilliance. English actress Annabelle Wallis too graced the carpet in one of the designer’s timeless creations, her gown’s flowing lines and intricate detailing a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that has made Saab a global icon. Saab’s designs are more than just dresses—they are works of art, quietly commanding attention without ever screaming for it.

Zuhair Murad: Bold, Dazzling, Unforgettable

Zuhair Murad is a designer whose name is synonymous with opulence and dramatic flair, and the 2025 Oscars were no exception. Murad’s designs are all about making a statement, and US TV host Kelly Ripa certainly did just that in an orange gown from the Resort 2025 collection. The bold colour and intricate beadwork of the dress exuded confidence, while its luxurious fabric clung to Ripa’s silhouette in the most flattering way imaginable.

Actress Keleigh Teller also embraced Murad’s daring aesthetic, opting for a pale blue gown adorned with exquisite floral beading. The soft colour palette contrasted with the gown’s intricate detailing, which added a layer of depth and sophistication. Murad’s ability to combine sensuality with elegance is part of what makes him such a coveted designer, and this year, his creations truly shone on the red carpet.

Marmar Halim: A Rising Star in Couture

A breath of fresh air came from Dubai-based, Egyptian-led label Marmar Halim, whose work is carving out a unique space in the world of high fashion. Ryan Michelle Bathe was a vision in one of Halim’s striking creations, a gown that combined the rich embroidery of the Middle East with a modern, almost sculptural silhouette. Halim’s designs offer something different—an innovative take on couture that is as rooted in tradition as it is forward-thinking. His work continues to gain traction, and the Oscars were the perfect platform for Halim’s creative vision to captivate the world.