Who is Honayda? Lupita Nyong’o steps out in Saudi label at premiere of 'Us'

The Academy Award-winning actress wore the emerging brand to unveil her latest film

Actress Lupita Nyong’o wears Saudi designer Honayda to the premiere of  'Us' at SXSW 2019. AFP

For the premiere of her latest film, Us, actress Lupita Nyong'o arrived at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, wearing a masculine-cut suit by emerging Saudi label Honayda.

Looking chic in a look from the Spring 2019 collection, Nyong’o wore a tailored trouser suit, in pure white, that was cut sharply into the waist.

The double-breasted jacket also featured cut-away panels at the waistline, and was teamed with straight-cut, wide trousers. At the collar was a feminine froth of tulle, to provide balance.

The look was designed by Honayda Serafi, who was born and raised in Saudi. Hailing from an artistic family - her mother is a fashion and art historian, and her father is a well-known patron - Serafi studied Islamic art before decamping to Paris to study fashion at Parsons.

In a nod to her Arab heritage, Serafi gave her own name to her fledgling label, with Honayda meaning sword's sheath in Arabic.

This is not the first time Serafi has dressed someone famous, however. Rapper Eve wore one of her designs to the 2019 Grammy Awards, while Olympic skater Lindsey Vonn donned a look from the Saudi designer for the 2019 Oscars ceremony.

Nyong'o is known for her strong fashion sense. Never afraid to take risks on the red carpet, the Black Panther star decided to pair her Honayda suit with a block of red eye shadow and a crown of hair clips.

Us is the latest horror film by writer/director Jordan Peele, the man behind the eternally creepy Get Out. It stars Winston Duke – best known for his role as M'Baku in Black Panther - and Nyong'o, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Patsey in 12 Years a Slave in 2014.