Los Angeles: Syrian refugee Hala Kamil, the subject of the Oscar-nominated short documentary “Watani: My Homeland” attended the Academy awards in a purple and black two-piece velvet gown with a matching purple hijab by Lady Gaga’s stylist Brandon Maxwell.
Hamil was styled by Katy Perry’s stylist Jamie Mizrahi.
After President Donald Trump’s immigration ban last month, the mother of four was worried that she may not even be able to get into the country to attend the award ceremony. When the ban was lifted, Kamil’s trip was back on.
Maxwell reached out to design Kamil’s dress after director Chris Temple tweeted about her struggle to find an appropriate outfit.
“To me, every woman is a star and every star has a story. Hala’s story sincerely touched me and I am truly honoured that I had the privilege to create this look for her celebrating this momentous occasion. The goal for my collection is always to empower all women and to not just make them look beautiful, but feel beautiful as well.
“Hala’s strength and courage throughout her experiences is supremely admirable. Seeing her walk the red carpet full of confidence and elegance, and being a small part of her special night means the world to me,” the designer wrote on Instagram alongside Kamil’s picture from the Oscars red carpet.
