The 2026 MTV VMAs brought no shortage of sheer fabrics, feathers, and high-octane glamour to Los Angeles — and Arab designers were very much part of the fashion conversation. British singer Raye turned to Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika for a shimmering, Old Hollywood-inspired moment, while Teyana Taylor brought the drama in a daring Zuhair Murad couture look. And Victoria Song too served her own Hobeika fantasy.
Raye in Georges Hobeika
Raye leaned fully into her retro-glamour era for the VMAs, arriving in a Georges Hobeika couture gown that was essentially a walking shimmer. The sheer halter dress was covered in silver embellishment, with swirling patterns catching the light across the body and delicate teardrop pearls cascading from the neckline.
The silhouette kept things sensual without losing its vintage elegance: a softly draped bust, scooped neckline and sharply defined waist gave the otherwise fluid gown plenty of structure. Her voluminous curls and deep red lip pushed the Old Hollywood mood even further.
She finished the look with Angara jewelry, including pear-shaped aquamarine drop earrings and a diamond band, letting the icy stones play off the silver detailing of the gown.
Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad
Teyana Taylor went in the opposite direction, bringing full theatrical drama to the VMAs carpet in Zuhair Murad. The Lebanese designer’s Fall 2026 Couture creation was a sheer black coat-gown, with an unapologetically plunging neckline framed by dramatic feathered cuffs, collar and hem.
The look played with the tension between barely-there transparency and old-school glamour. Intricate black detailing gave the sheer fabric dimension, while the feathers exaggerated every movement and turned into something much more theatrical.
Taylor kept the styling relatively focused, sweeping her hair away from the neckline and matching the dark, smoky mood with equally dramatic eye makeup. It was a look that felt made for the VMAs: unapologetic, sensual and just theatrical enough.
Victoria Song in Georges Hobeika
Victoria Song’s look in Georges Hobeika is all about texture, intricate embellishment, and a striking interplay of light and shadow. The fitted black gown features elaborate silver embroidery across the bodice and sleeves, before transitioning into a sparkling, sheer-effect skirt that elongates the silhouette.
The off-the-shoulder neckline adds a touch of understated sensuality, balancing the ornate detailing with a sleek, sculptural finish. It’s a look that feels both romantic and dramatic, with Hobeika’s signature couture craftsmanship taking center stage.
From shimmering embellishment to dramatic feathers, Arab designers brought plenty of glamour to this year’s VMAs red carpet. With Lebanese fashion houses taking center stage on multiple stars, the night offered a glimpse at just how naturally couture from the region fits into the biggest moments in global pop culture.
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