96th Academy Awards: A Saudi designer was worn on the Oscars red carpet

On Sunday March 10, the world watched on in anticipation as the 96th Academy Awards ceremony got underway.

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Hosted at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the event brought together showbiz royalty and movie stars from around the world for the presentation of the much-coveted Academy Awards, which are more commonly known as the Oscars.

The iconic golden 'Oscar' statues were awarded to winners across 23 categories, recognising various acting and directing categories such as Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Picture alongside other more 'behind-the-scenes' categories such as Best Costume Design, Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects, for films released in 2023.

Although it was an exciting evening of Oscar winning, including Ireland's first actor to ever win an Oscar; Cillian Murphy took home Best Actor for his role as J. Robert Oppenheimer in the Oppenheimer blockbuster that became a cinematic sensation around the world. And, Emma Stone took home Best Actress for her role as Bella Baxter in film adaptation of the novel, Poor Things.

Amongst all the winners, and the glitz and glamour of the Oscars red carpet, there was one red carpet look that truly stood out - and it was that of a Saudi Arabian couture designer.

Korean American content creator, Ashley Yi wore a floor length dress by the renowned Saudi Arabian fashion house, Waad Aloqaili. The full length white gown shone bright on the famous Oscars red carpet.

Styled by Benjamin Holtrop, Ashely wore a high-neck, form-fitting crisp white gown with delicate floral and petal shaped beading on the bottom edge of the hem. The simple, yet structured dress was complemented by a dramatic, sweeping, ruffled tulle shrug, only further adding to the glamour of the evening.

Established in 2019 by Saudi Arabian sisters Waad and Ahlam Aloqaili, Waad Aloqaili Couture is an iconic, independent, female-owned fashion brand. The beauty of the brand stems from the sisters' shared values and exceptional skills: Waad concentrates on creative direction, whilst Ahlam plays a pivotal role as the managerial partner and technical designer to ensure the couturier runs smoothly.

Waad Aloqaili Couture aims to embody timeless elegance whilst also embracing female empowerment, and indulging in Saudi luxury - all through the shape, design and quality of women's couture clothing. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the collective journey of women, each design reflects the founders' commitment to empowering women.

Several distinguished and high-profile stars proudly showcased pieces from recent collections during the 2022 and 2023 Venice and Cannes Film Festivals, as well as Saudi Arabia's acclaimed Joy Awards.

@waadaloqaili @ashyi