Arab designers ruled the red carpet in 2021, from Cannes to Venice

Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika are only a few of the names in fashion who made an impact on the world of celebrity

Angelina Jolie, right, seen here with her daughter Zahara, chose to keep things simple with a coffee coloured, tiered silk gown by Lebanese-Iraqi brand Harithand at Variety's Power of Women event in Los Angeles in September 2021. Getty Images

To host the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony in March, American singer Jhene Aiko went for feminine pink frills by Bahraini label Monsoori. Getty Images

Victoria’s Secret model Jasmine Tookes wed Snapchat’s Juan David Borrero in a gown by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad in September 2021. Photo: Zuhair Murad

For the October New York premiere of 'The Last Duel', English actress Jodie Comer wore a double-breasted coat dress from the Elie Saab autumn/winter 2021 collection. Getty Images

For the screening of 'Tout s'est bien passe', at the July Cannes Film Festival, model Lorena Rae wore Lebanese designer Elie Saab. Getty Images

In July, Hala Abdallah wore a sleek sequined gown by American/Lebanese designer Rami Kadi at the Cannes Film Festival. EPA

Noel Capri Berry wore a gown by Saudi label Ashi Studio, by Mohammed Ashi, to the 74th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, July 2021. AP

At the Cannes Film Festival, Nieves Alvarez wore a deeply vampish Elie Saab gown. EPA

Flora Dalle Vacche wore a nude embellished gown by Rami Kadi to the Venice Film Festival in September. Getty Images

Natalia Paragoni donned a navy embellished caped gown by Zuhair Murad, during the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September. Getty Images

Jessica Chastain in an ice blue embellished Elie Saab gown for a screening of 'The Hand of God' at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Getty Images

To the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September, Sara Croce wore a hot pink embellished gown, by Zuhair Murad. Getty Images

Wearing a 1930s inspired, belted kaftan by Elie Saab, Paz Vega attended the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival, in July. EPA

Actress Saba Mubarak wearing Zuhair Murad at the Venice Film Festival. Getty Images

Allison Janney wearing Azzi & Osta to the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards in September. Getty Images

Billie Porter wearing Ashi Studio to the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Getty Images

Keri Russell in Zuhair Murad, at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Getty Images

To host the American Music Awards in November, singer Cardi B wore a black and purple feather dress by Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji. Getty Images

Sara Sampaio wearing Zuhair Murad at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez wearing Elie Saab on 'The Tender Bar' red carpet in December. Getty Images

By anyone's reckoning, 2021 has been a good year for Arab designers.

While there may have been slightly fewer red-carpet events because of the ongoing pandemic, across film festivals and even weddings, it seems famous women cannot get enough of regional talent.

At the high-profile Venice and Cannes film festivals, countless ladies turned to the region to find their perfect look, from Kate Hudson in Lebanese brand Monot to Nilufar Addati in white feathered Rami Kadi and Jessica Chastain in embellished Elie Saab.

This simply showed that, increasingly, celebrities are tuning into the high-octane, deeply feminine glamour on offer by Arab names.

With a rich heritage of couture and occasion dressing, designers in the region are well versed in creating rich looks for special events. Even Taylor Swift donned a resort 2022 dress by Lebanese atelier Zuhair Murad for an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November.

Jennifer Lopez, too, has made no secret of her admiration for regional designers, stepping out in looks by Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika over the years. For her performance at the Grammys this October, she wore a custom made, crystal-studded body suit by Zuhair Murad, with matching tights, and thigh-high boots.

However, for what must have been one of her most closely watched red-carpet moment, when she stepped out at the Venice Film Festival with her new (and former) partner, actor Ben Affleck, she turned to Lebanon's Georges Hobeika for her dress. In a deeply scooped, crystal-embellished, form-fitting gown, slashed high on the leg, she looked nothing short of spectacular.

Elsewhere, for a rare red-carpet moment with her daughter Zahara, Angelina Jolie turned to Lebanese-Iraqi name Harithand, for a demure tiered dress, while for her wedding in September, Victoria Secret model Jasmine Tookes opted for a high-necked, long-sleeved lace embellished gown with a train by Zuhair Murad.

Scroll through the photo gallery above to see more looks by Arab designers on red carpets in 2021.