Arab Designers Take Centre Stage at Critics’ Choice Awards

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The 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards kicked off the 2026 Hollywood awards season with a glittering display of international fashion and a major victory for Timothée Chalamet. On a night that shifted the season's momentum, Arab fashion designers dominated the red carpet, dressing several of the evening's most high-profile stars in standout creations.

Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward dressed actress Sheryl Lee Ralph in a striking burgundy gown from his Fall/Winter 2025 couture collection, while Kristen Bell chose a sophisticated black lace-panelled ensemble by world-renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab. Emerging regional talent also made a significant mark, with "Marty Supreme" star Odessa A’zion appearing in a silver sequined, semi-sheer gown by the Emirati brand OTT Dubai, featuring dramatic billowing sleeves and a signature peek-a-boo cutout.

In the ceremony’s top categories, Timothée Chalamet solidified his position as the Oscar frontrunner by taking home the Best Actor prize for his performance in Marty Supreme. Chalamet’s portrayal of a 1950s table tennis champion in the Josh Safdie-directed hit has become a global phenomenon, fuelled by the actor's rigorous training and a unique viral marketing campaign. While Chalamet secured the acting honour, the evening’s biggest winner was Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, One Battle After Another, which swept the major prizes for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Other notable victories included Jessie Buckley, who won Best Actress for the period drama Hamnet, and Jacob Elordi, named Best Supporting Actor for his role in Frankenstein. The horror-thriller Sinners also enjoyed a successful night, earning accolades for Best Original Screenplay and Best Score. As the industry shifts its focus toward the Golden Globes next weekend, the Critics’ Choice results have set a clear path for the remaining race to the Academy Awards on March 15.