The Gulf Takes LA

This year’s Grammy Awards may not have produced many sartorial surprises, but the influx of Lebanese designers on the red carpet certainly caught our attention. The oft-overlooked fashion nation has come into its own with a crop of emerging and seasoned designers who are now entering the American spotlight.

The most talked-about by far was Basil Soda, a designer who dressed pop-tart Katy Perry and Paula Abdul. The American Idol judge’s taxicab-hued goddess gown garnered mostly rancid reviews, while Perry’s cotton candy pink strapless column, which erupted in bejeweled bows at the waist, received a far warmer reception from critics. Although he’s relatively unknown Stateside, Soda boasts more than 20 years of experience in Middle Eastern couture houses, and is recognized for ornate gowns marked by architectural, corsage-like flourishes and liberal use of glitzy embellishments.

Carrie Underwood also turned to a Beirut-based designer, Zuhair Murad, for her shimmering gold gown. An established designer, Murad has an atelier in Paris and shows during the city’s couture weeks. In addition to his bespoke confections, the 14-year-old namesake label also boasts thriving ready-to-wear and accessories collections, with plans to expand into beauty products, furniture and swimwear in the years to come. In addition to adorning Underwood—who also wore a Murad gown for last year’s music award show—the designer has dressed Christina Aguilera, Selita Ebanks, Olivia Wilde and Christina Applegate for other high profile events.

Finally—and, perhaps, unsurprisingly—there was Reem Acra, the Beirut-born red carpet mainstay who swathed Kate Beckinsale in a dramatic black fishtail gown. Requests for comment from the designers and celebrity stylists in question went unanswered (we blame Oscar week), but given their experience dressing Middle Eastern royalty, we aren’t surprised that these designers are starting to attract Hollywood royalty as well. And after the last few seasons of yawn-inducing awards show fashion, their opulent sensibility may be just what’s needed to finally bring some glamour back to the red carpet.

—Erin Magner