8 Iconic Arab Fashion Looks We Hope To See On The 2024 Met Gala Red Carpet
With its “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme, the first Monday of May presents an opportunity to commemorate the region’s timeless elegance and historical costumes
While the Met Gala exhibition promises to unveil over 250 slumbering treasures from the Costume Institute’s archive, our eyes long for a specific awakening: the dazzling resurgence of archival Arab fashion on the red carpet, the most memorable looks from cinematic masterpieces and iconic performances.
Imagine the scene: a cascade of emerald silk adorned with intricate embroidery, reminiscent of a slumbering oasis come alive. Or, a gown woven from shimmering threads of gold, echoing the grandeur of a forgotten desert palace. These are just glimpses of the potential that lies within the rich tapestry of Arab fashion history, waiting to be re-imagined and revitalised for the grandest stage of fashion – the Met Gala.
Here, Bazaar Arabia shares our wish-list of the most memorable fashion looks by iconic Arab women that we hope to see at the Met Gala 2024.
See Full List Of Looks Here
8 Iconic Arab Fashion Looks We Hope To See At The 2024 Met Gala
Faten Hamama’s Beaded Black Dress
Receiving the well-earned sobriquet “The Lady of the Arab Screen,” the iconic Egyptian actor Faten Hamam graced a 1956 awards ceremony with charm. During the event, she was presented with The Elegance Award and accepted it in a timeless classic: a little black dress adorned with delicate bead work. Known for her sophisticated taste in fashion, Faten favoured styles that embraced sharp cuts and a playful juxtapositions of patterns.
Umm Kulthum’s Guilded Gown
Embellished with intricate embroidery, this gold gown worn by legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, is a showstopping piece of Arab music history – one which we would be delighted to see on the likes of a Grammy Award-winning guest.
An Umm Kulthum 100 year tribute concert will be coming to Egypt this year. Read more about it on Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
Sabah’s Original Khoury Creation
This vintage photograph presents Sabah, the voice that painted the Middle East with melody, in an original William Khoury creation. Loyal to her couturier, whose bold designs were worn by numerous iconic stars, the Lebanese singer and actress models a vintage swing dress echoing beauty and charm – a potential fresh look for Met Gala newcomer looking to make a statement during her debut.
Soad Hosny’s Fairytale-Inspired Get-Up
“By nature, I am bored,” Soad Hosny once said in a 1984 television interview, but boredom never dared enter her wardrobe. In every shimmering thread and in every daring splash of colour, her clothing was a symphony of hues. Known as the Cinderella of Egyptian cinema, Soad stole the show at the Tehran Short Film Festival in an embroidered gown, a true tapestry of threads spun with whispers of forgotten fairy-tales.
Shadia’s Summer Soirée Attire
Shadia embraced fashion as a whispered language, each item a secret story waiting to be told. Sun-kissed by the Golden Age, here she dances in a diamond patterned dress that circles around her ankles and breathes summer soirées. The Egyptian actor covers her hands with a veil of black lace gloves symbolising social status, an ode to timeless elegance, forever brushed on the silver screen.
Dalida’s Blue Sequin Number
In 1954, a crown graced Dalida’s fiery spirit and she was honoured the title of Miss Egypt. Beyond song and screen, her style, always flamboyant in nature, evolved. Before Balmain and Yves Saint Laurent’s embrace, she wore her first statement piece by Egyptian designer Jean Desses in Bobino, 1958.
As a style icon, Dalida is seen sparkling in sequin dresses on stage including this frosty blue number. This particular look would be an ideal option for an aspiring comeback queen, looking to truly make an impact (and the best dressed lists) on the first Monday of May.
Nancy Ajram’s Shimmering Dress
Nancy Ajram’s style dances between two worlds: she’s a graceful goddess on stage, but the epimote of laid-back chic when off-duty.
On stage, she embraces the full spectrum of glamour, with gowns that shimmer like disco balls and bold colours that attract attention. Here, the singer is draped in an Emilio Pucci dress during her 2013 performance in Beirut.
Yousra in Antoine Kareh’s Couture Creation
Yousra is more than just an actor; she is a muse of fashion and a living canvas embodying artistry. The Egyptian artist attended the El Gouna Film Festival in 2018, draped in a gold gown by Antoine Kareh Couture. Each dress she wears becomes a conversation upon which she paints her own brand of eye-catching style. We can see an Academy Award winning starlet stepping out in this gilded number.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/Youssra