The latest season of Netflix's hit series, Emily in Paris, is serving more than just romantic escapades and picturesque European backdrops. While the plot whisks Emily Cooper from Paris to Rome and Venice, a subtler, more significant narrative is unfolding through her wardrobe. Season 5 is making a powerful style statement by seamlessly integrating and spotlighting fashion talent from the Middle East, moving these designers from the periphery to the center of global fashion storytelling.
A Global Wardrobe: From Cairo to Venice with Ease
Fashion in Emily in Paris has always been a character in itself, speaking a visual language of color, silhouette, and audacity. However, the recently released season elevates this dialogue by weaving in Middle Eastern design with remarkable normalcy. The inclusion is not presented as a novelty or a cultural footnote. Instead, pieces from Arab designers appear as natural, essential components of a contemporary, global wardrobe. The message is clear: fashion today is borderless, and craftsmanship from Cairo, Beirut, and Dubai belongs on the world's most watched style stages.
Egyptian Craftsmanship Takes Center Stage
In a cinematic finale set in Venice, Emily makes a bold appearance in a head-to-toe red ensemble. The standout accessory anchoring this look is the Alhambra bag by Egyptian brand Mesh Mesh. Sculptural and playful, the bag's presence is deliberate, signaling that accessories from the region are now focal points, not just supporting players. Its architectural elegance feels perfectly at home against the Venetian canals, proving its place in any fashion capital.
Further enriching the season's sartorial tapestry is jewellery from another Egyptian talent, Jude Benhalim. Her rings, earrings, and delicate sculptural pieces recur throughout Emily's outfits. These designs act as modern heirlooms, adding subtle texture and expression without shouting for attention. Their consistent presence reinforces that Middle Eastern jewellery is a natural element of everyday luxury.
Lebanese Elegance and Dramatic Flair
The representation from Lebanon showcases two distinct yet complementary aesthetics. Maison Rabih Kayrouz brings its signature couture restraint to the series, with pieces defined by clean lines, impeccable tailoring, and a quiet, confident authority. This philosophy aligns perfectly with a wardrobe built on sophistication.
In contrast, Lebanese jewellery maison Yeprem injects moments of high glamour and drama. Its statement earrings and bold, sculptural designs sparkle, elevating simpler outfits and striking a masterful balance between artistry and extravagance. Together, these brands highlight the diverse creative energy emanating from the region.
The UAE's Influence: Effortless Glamour with Depth
The integration extends to the United Arab Emirates, underscoring its role as a burgeoning hub for fashion that resonates globally. Dubai-based designer Dima Ayad, who has appeared in previous seasons, returns with her fluid silhouettes and vibrant prints. Her work merges Middle Eastern heritage with modern sensibilities, creating garments designed for women who dress with ease and for themselves. Ayad's designs exemplify a growing movement where regional identity informs global trends without being confined by it.
The true power of these appearances lies in their effortless integration. Middle Eastern fashion is not framed as exotic or 'other.' It is simply presented as good design, judged on its merit and taste rather than its geography. This reflects a larger shift in the industry where narrative, individuality, and craftsmanship are becoming more important than labels of origin.
Fashion's Borderless Future
As Emily in Paris blends fantasy with a touch of realism, it underscores a vital truth: contemporary fashion is shaped by a cross-cultural dialogue, not a hierarchy. From Cairo to Beirut to Dubai, Middle Eastern designers are no longer waiting for an invitation to the global stage; they are already there, defining it. A handcrafted bag from Egypt feels native to Venetian streets, just as jewellery from Cairo layers seamlessly with Parisian tailoring.
For viewers, each episode becomes a treasure hunt of global discovery. The series, known for its maximalist approach, makes one of its most stylish statements yet through these moments of quiet, global elegance. By showcasing these designers, Emily in Paris amplifies emerging voices and contributes to a more inclusive and representative landscape in fashion storytelling. It's a celebratory moment that signals global screens are finally opening up to the rich, diverse tapestry of world creativity.
