“Bold Statement on the Cannes Red Carpet: Iranian Model Protests Executions with Edgy Noose Dress!”

Mahlagha Jaberi attends the "The Old Oak" red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival. pic.twitter.com/hg4iqaxOqY

— @21metgala (@21metgala) May 26, 2023

The Cannes Film Festival, known for its focus on movies and fashion, has also emerged as a significant platform for protests and political statements. Following a recent protest by a woman adorned in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Iranian-born model Mahlagha Jaberi took a bold stance against mass executions in Iran.

Jaberi used her appearance on the red carpet of the international film festival as an opportunity to express solidarity with the people of Iran, who have been enduring a distressing wave of executions. Her choice of attire aimed to capture the world’s attention and shed light on the concerning situation in Iran.

Wearing an elegant black bodycon dress, Jaberi made heads turn with the striking detail of a beige rope collar fashioned into the shape of a noose—a thought-provoking design created by Jila Saber.

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To further amplify her message, Jaberi shared a montage video showcasing herself in the dress, accompanied by a compelling message: “Stop execution.” Through this powerful visual statement, she sought to draw attention to the urgent need to halt executions within her home country of Iran.

Jaberi dedicated the video to the people of Iran and expressed her gratitude to her dress designer, Jila Atelier, and videographer, Joystrotz, for bringing her vision to life. She also thanked her manager, Myhanh, from Mahlagha Management, for making it all possible. The impactful nature of her dress garnered significant attention on social media platforms.

The model’s courageous act received widespread acclaim. One Instagram user commended her patriotism, stating that her actions had caught everyone’s attention except for the enemies of the country. Another user simply expressed gratitude to Jaberi for delivering a powerful message to the world and hoped for freedom.

The situation in Iran is indeed alarming, with a significant rise in executions reported this year. Human rights campaigners worldwide have expressed deep concern over this dire situation. According to a joint report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty, the number of executions in Iran increased by 75% in 2022 compared to the previous year. In 2021, at least 582 people were executed in Iran, marking the highest number of executions in the country since 2015.

(Inputs from agencies)