The 70th Cannes Film festival with Hafsia Herzi

As Festival de Cannes opened its 70th edition, I had the privilege to make a custom dress for actress Hafsia Herzi. I couldn’t be more thrilled about it!

We started the project 40 days before the festival and did all the fittings in my Parisian atelier. We even made an exclusive film for Marie Claire Arabia to show you guys all the working process of a custom-made design: from the sketches to the making of the “toile”, all the way to the embroideries and detailed finishing of the garment. It is quite fascinating to see what craftsmen are capable of making out of patience and passion…

On the big day of the montée des marches for the closing ceremony of the festival, my whole team and I went to Marriott hotel to dress up Hafsia Herzi in her room. L'Oréal did her hair, and Boucheron brought her a set of exquisite diamonds that was an absolute dream to wear. The bracelet was very sophisticated and the carved earrings, an absolute perfection in terms of craftsmanship.

The Sakina Paris dress is a celebration of the glamour of the 50s, with a body-hugging structure and a slit on the leg for a more glamorous look. The details of the organza petals embroidered by hand give a light effect to the train.

We shoot the preparation with my photographer Marleen Serné, until the Renault car escorted Hafsia Herzi all the way to the red carpet, where photographers and journalists were waiting for her.