Rula Jebreal Wore A Spectacular Dress By Lebanese Designer Jean-Louis Sabaji To BIAF
The embroidery alone took 400 hours
Over the weekend celebrated Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal was awarded ‘Most Influential Media Personality’ at the Beirut International Awards Festival (BIAF), and all eyes were on her outstanding dress.
She wore the ‘Tree of Life’ gown from Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji’s Mesopotamia collection. The ornate needlework took 400 hours, with motifs displaying Mesopotamian mythology hand-embroidered on silk tulle, finished with glass beads and micro sequins.
Image: Patrick Sawaya
“The dress celebrates life, our beautiful region, and our heritage,” Jebreal commented. “It’s so elegant and mystical. The artwork on it is a maze of Mesopotamian symbolism.”
While the front of the gown tells a story, the back is beautifully simple, with cascading raw silk linen.
“A dress is never just a dress. It’s a statement about the woman wearing it,” Jebreal explained. “A dress can help accentuate a woman’s character. It can be empowering, bold and expressive. It also tells the story of the hard hours put into it and the dedication of those who strive to represent our culture and pluralistic identities in whichever way or form.”
Image: Patrick Sawaya
The journalist, political analyst, author and screenwriter was clearly honoured to accept her award at the ninth edition of BIAF, which was held at Nejmeh Square on June 29.
Discussing the event, Jebreal said: “Throughout my career, I have received several awards for the work I’ve done in international media. But this is the first time I am given an award in an Arab country.”
Image: Ammar Abd Rabbo
And it was clearly important to her to make sure that her sartorial choice reflected this special moment in her career. “It is truly an honour to be recognised by my own people, and in Beirut I wanted to be clad in Lebanese artistry,” she said. “Jean-Louis is a dynamic new talent that has suddenly emerged. I see his aesthetic as a bridge between East and West. And this dress is a manifestation of that.”
Fashion shots: Patrick Sawaya
Coordination: Mohieb Dahabieh
Makeup: Nassim Masri