LEBANON: Dressing up the Oscars

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Lebanon might not be these days at the forefront of glitz, glamour and glory. But its fashion designers can definitely compete with their Western peers on the world’s most celebrated catwalks.

During the Academy Awards ceremony last month in Hollywood, Lebanese designer Georges Chakra shined on the red carpet through one of his creations: a strapless red satin gown with Swarovski crystal sleeves. The stunning tailor-made dress was worn by Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren, a presenter at the ceremony.

Chakra has created designs for pop stars Beyonce and Carrie Underwood. His dresses also appeared in the hit movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’

In 2002, another Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, caused a sensation at the Oscars when Halle Berry received the award for best actress wearing a burgundy floral embroidered gown he designed.

A flurry of Lebanese fashion designers has made a successful entry into the world of haute couture in the last few decades. Many of them made a name in the fashion business by dressing wealthy women in the Persian Gulf.

— Raed Rafei in Beirut