Bella Hadid's Cannes 2024 Appearance: A Powerful Fashion Statement for Palestine

At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Bella Hadid turned heads not just for her beauty but for her bold statement of heritage and activism. The supermodel, whose father is Palestinian-American real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, stepped out wearing a striking red and white Keffiyeh dress, designed by the duo Michael and Hushi. The dress, made from vintage Keffiyeh fabric, served as a powerful symbol of Palestinian culture and resistance.

Bella shared images of the dress on Instagram, captioning them with "Free Palestine forever," highlighting her ongoing advocacy for Palestinian rights. Her choice of attire was a nod to her roots and a statement of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headdress, has long been a symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance, often seen at pro-Palestinian protests worldwide.

The gown, originally created in 2001, features spaghetti straps, a plunging neckline, a ribbon tie on the bust, and an asymmetric hemline adorned with ruffles and tassels. Bella accessorized her look with gold hoop earrings, a dainty bracelet, rings, tinted sunglasses, and peep-toe blood-red sandals. She completed her ensemble with flawless makeup, including on-fleek brows, rouge on her cheekbones, glowing skin, a pink lip shade, and bronzer on her contours. Her hair was styled in a sleek low bun, accented with a white floral adornment.

Bella's fashion choice received widespread praise on social media. Comments ranged from admiration for her homage to Palestinian culture to recognition of the dress's historical significance. "Our Palestinian princess," wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter), while another praised the dress as "fashion with purpose."

Despite some social media users noting that the red and white Keffiyeh more closely resembles those used in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Mortezaie, one of the designers, defended the dress's broader message. He explained,

"This dress was made 23 years ago, and everyone from the region was grouped as one big Other. There was no Google. Only what could be put together with little resources. Hopefully, we can all learn to stand in unity and love against genocide."

Bella Hadid has consistently used her platform to speak out against violence in Gaza and advocate for Palestinian rights. Last October, she expressed her sorrow over the trauma unfolding in Gaza and shared her family's history as Nakba survivors on Nakba Day, commemorating the 1948 exodus of Palestinians from their homes.

Bella's Cannes appearance was more than a fashion statement; it was a poignant reminder of the power of celebrity advocacy and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. Her choice to wear the Keffiyeh dress at such a high-profile event underscores her commitment to using her influence for meaningful causes, inspiring others to do the same.