While this year’s festival unfolds, we’re rewinding through some of our favourite Arab celebrity Cannes fashion moments across the years.
As the 79th Cannes Film Festival takes over the Croisette once again, the red carpets are back to doing what they do best: producing fashion moments that outlive the flashbulbs.
And while every year brings a fresh rotation of gowns, tuxedos and photocalls, Arab celebrities have been delivering standout Cannes style for decades.
From Omar Sharif smoking his way through the Riviera in razor-sharp tailoring to Haifa Wehbe’s sheer black glamour era, these archival Cannes appearances are a reminder that Arab stars have long understood the assignment. Whether it was Yousra mastering denim-on-denim in 2004 or Hend Sabry moving down the carpet in sequins and pink drama, many of these looks could still hold their own today.
So while this year’s festival unfolds, we’re revisiting some of our favourite Arab celebrity fashion moments from Cannes through the years.
Haifa Wehbe | 2004
Haifa Wehbe arrived at Cannes in peak early-2000s glamour: a sheer black gown, soft blowout, classic makeup and a bedazzled clutch tucked neatly in hand.
Omar El Sherif | 1954
Omar El Sharif mastered effortless movie-star dressing. Standing alongside Arlene Dahl and Jacques Fath, the Egyptian icon wore a sharply tailored classic suit with a cigarette casually in hand.
Yousra | 2004
Yousra may have cracked the denim-on-denim formula years before it came back around. Wearing a pink denim jacket layered over blue denim, the Egyptian actress gave the Cannes photocall circuit a playful twist that feels fresh.
Mohamed Imam | 2006
Photographed seaside during the Cannes photocalls for ‘The Yacoubian Building,’ Mohamed Imam kept things casual in a tattersall check shirt and denim.
Laila Eloui | 2008
Laila Eloui stepped out in a sleek black gown detailed with rhinestone-lined accents tracing across the bust and shoulders. Framed by soft bangs and finished with a gold clutch, the look balanced glamour with just enough sparkle.
Nadine Labaki | 2011
Known for her affinity for darker palettes and structured tailoring, Nadine Labaki surprised in a simple red midi dress paired with black pumps.
Khaled Abol Naga | 2011
Black blazer, black polo, denim and dark sunglasses, Khaled Abol Naga kept things clean and uncomplicated at Cannes. The monochrome palette gave the look an easy Riviera charm.
Nahed El Sebai & Bassem Samra | 2012
Nahed El Sebai and Bassem Samra arrived looking every bit the Cannes power duo. Nahed wore a fully sequined gold gown layered with stacks of silver bangles, while Bassem balanced the shimmer with a classic black tuxedo, crisp white shirt and bow tie combination.
Menna Shalaby | 2012
For the ‘Baad El Mawkeaa’ photocall, Menna Shalaby leaned into understated tailoring with a vest-and-pantsuit combination paired with a metallic silver tie. With sunglasses perched over her half-up, half-down hairstyle, the look felt effortlessly cool.
Aseel Omran | 2019
Aseel Omran leaned fully into princess-gown territory with a flowing pink dress that moved dramatically across the Cannes carpet. Soft, romantic and unapologetically glamorous.
Mona Zaki | 2022
Mona Zaki took the classic black dress route and elevated it with oversized diamond-like embellishments scattered across the dress.
Hend Sabry & Kaouther Ben Hania | 2023
Hend Sabry arrived in a shimmering pink sequined gown complete with a dramatic trailing detail, while Kaouther Ben Hania contrasted the look beautifully in a flowing royal blue dress finished with intricate gold embellishment near the neckline.
May 16, 2026
