Lebanese designer Sleiman Dayaa talks about styling filmmaker Nadine Labaki, who has emerged as the queen of this year’s Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Nadine Labaki in Jean Louis Sabaji. Photo: Instagram.
com The Cannes Film Festival is one of the world’s oldest fashion playgrounds, where recent years have not only seen actors and models bring their sartorial A-game, but directors too. Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki is certainly doing that much and more at the 77th edition of the festival–a special one for the acclaimed director who joins the event’s Palme d’Or jury this year. Labaki’s red carpet wardrobe is no ordinary one, featuring everything from tuxedos by international brands to modest as well as bold evening gowns by Arab designers, all thoughtfully picked by Lebanese designer and stylist Sleimaan Dayaa .
“It’s my first time working with Nadine,” Dayaa tells Vogue Arabia of joining forces with Labaki. “Her cousin Romy is a good friend of mine. She showed her my work and introduced me to Nadine to take care of her styling during the Cannes Film Festival and all went well!” While attendees looked to sultry dresses and princess gowns for the opening ceremony, Labaki made a statement in a power suit and a bowtie, setting the tone for the rest of her week at La Croisette.
Dayaa attributes the choice to the director’s own sense of style, which he describes as “chic and elegant, with a touch of rock,” and adds that he was playing on the element.
