Venice Film Festival is always a fashion spectacle, but this year, Arab designers are having their own moment on the Lido. From archival couture pulled from the early 2000s to sleek, embellished red-carpet gowns, these looks show just how differently Arab fashion can translate onto the festival circuit. Here are some of the celebrities bringing it to Venice.
Leonie Hanne in Rami Al Ali
German fashion influencer Leonie Hanne has become a familiar face at fashion weeks and red carpets around the world, known for her ultra-glamorous, feminine style.
For Venice, she turned to Syrian-born, Dubai-based designer Rami Al Ali, wearing a dreamy white couture gown from his Fall/Winter 2026 collection. The strapless dress features a structured, pleated bodice that cinches the waist before opening into a soft, flowing skirt. The subtle shimmer and sculptural pleats give it just enough drama, while the sweeping train keeps the whole thing feeling suitably red-carpet-ready. She kept the styling elegant with delicate diamond jewellery, letting the dress do most of the talking.
It is the kind of look that manages to feel ethereal without disappearing into the usual sea of white gowns — very Venice, very couture, and very Leonie.
Sydney Sweeney in Georges Chakra
Actress Sydney Sweeney arrived in Venice in a piece of fashion history, wearing an archival Georges Chakra look from his Spring 2003 Couture collection. The outfit pairs a sheer nude Chantilly lace halter top, complete with a high ruffled collar and cascading lace, with sand-colored silk Bermuda shorts tied at the waist.
The whole thing feels very early-2000s, but in the best possible way. Add tortoiseshell sunglasses, a tiny matching bag and barely-there mules, and it becomes a surprisingly effortless arrival look.
Stella Maxwell in Elie Saab
Northern Irish-New Zealand supermodel Stella Maxwell brought a darker kind of glamour to the Venice red carpet in an archival Elie Saab look from the designer’s Fall 2003 Couture collection.
The black gown plays with sheer, patterned fabric and delicate embellishment, creating a fitted silhouette that opens into a dramatic, floor-skimming skirt. The plunging neckline and transparent details give the otherwise classic gown a decidedly sultry edge, while Maxwell kept the styling relatively pared back to let the dress speak for itself.
Simona Jakstaite in Aleen Sabbagh
Fashion personality Simona Jakstaite brought some serious old-school glamour to Venice in a shimmering gown from Lebanese designer Aleen Sabbagh’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection.
The icy silver-blue number features a plunging neckline, a sculpted waist and intricate beading that catches the light beautifully. The fitted silhouette then falls into a soft, sweeping train, giving the whole look an effortlessly glamorous finish. With loose waves and minimal accessories, Jakstaite wisely lets the dress do all the talking.
Kaouther Ben Hania in NÉE À TUNIS
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania arrived in Venice not just as a director, but as a member of the festival’s official competition jury, following her Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize win at last year’s festival.
For the occasion, she wore NÉE À TUNIS, a Tunisian label whose look was inspired by the Mediterranean landscape, from its olive trees to its light and living cultures. The gold, intricately embellished gown feels almost botanical, with delicate detailing climbing across the bodice and flowing down the full skirt. Even the matching green bag gets in on the theme, bringing a playful pop of colour to the otherwise golden look.
It’s a particularly fitting choice for Ben Hania: a distinctly Tunisian creation making its way onto one of the world’s most iconic cinematic stages.
Paola Turani in Tony Ward
Italian model and actress Paola Turani knows how to make a red-carpet entrance, and this Tony Ward look is all about dark, moody glamour. The floor-sweeping gown hugs the body before spilling into a dramatic train, with intricate embroidered detailing creating an almost liquid, sculptural effect. The deep brown-black palette keeps things sensual rather than flashy, while the daring side cut-out gives the otherwise ultra-elegant silhouette a little bite. Tony Ward’s couture craftsmanship is doing plenty of the talking here—and Turani wisely lets it.
Catherine Poulain in Rami Kadi
Italian model and influencer Catherine Poulain takes the sheer-gown route in Rami Kadi, and the result is pure after-dark glamour. The fitted silhouette is covered in delicate floral appliqués and shimmering embroidery, creating that clever illusion of flowers floating across the skin. The plunging neckline keeps the look sensual, while the soft neutral palette gives all that embellishment a surprisingly polished feel. It’s romantic and very Rami Kadi.
Geena Davis in Elie Saab
Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis chose Elie Saab for her Venice appearance, going for a black sequined gown that lets the details do the talking. The column-like silhouette is clean and elegant, while the scattered sparkle catches the light as she moves.
Paired with diamonds and pointed black heels, the look lands somewhere between modern red-carpet glamour and classic Hollywood. Basically, proof that you really can’t go wrong with a great black gown.
What makes these red-carpet moments so compelling is the range: Arab couture doesn’t have one signature look. It can be dark and sculptural, delicate and romantic, or unapologetically dramatic. And with Venice providing the perfect cinematic backdrop, these designers get plenty of room to make their craftsmanship the star.
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