Amna Alsalem grew up in Kuwait. She's the daughter of an art collector and homeware designer, and she taught herself to craft bespoke designs by hand. After finishing university, where she studied business, she went to London and took courses at Istituto Marangoni. These formative years find their way into each piece in her collections, informing her signature fusion of East and West – modern elegance with an exotic edge. Unaffected by transient fashion trends, Amna Alsalem designs her garments to embody her own perception of beauty, taking fashion back to its roots as an art form: a true expression of self. This lends her creations a timelessness that cannot be replicated. Specializing in women’s formalwear, Amna Alsalem’s eponymous designs are produced in Kuwait using the highest-quality fabrics, sourced from Paris and Milan. Showing painstaking attention to detail, her collections exhibit the old-world craftsmanship of traditional couture. Her work was featured in Vogue Arabia, L’Officiel and Marie Claire. Harper's Bazaar called her collection, “prettier than pretty” in their Star of the Future feature.  

Azzi & Osta, the brainchild of designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta, is a couture house that began to take shape when the duo joined Esmod Beirut in 2004. They graduated top of their class, with Azzi awarded the Prize of the President of the Jury (Elie Saab) and Osta awarded the Prize of the July. Afterward they worked at Elie Saab for 18 months. With their common interest in mid-century inspirations and vintage art, they decided to launch their couture house together in 2010. Their expert manipulation of fabrics gave rise to structured, swirly volumes and contoured silhouettes. Their vintage style has a contemporary twist, which, combined with the delicate embellishments and embroideries, resulted in impactful creations for the modern sophisticated and glamorous woman who also appreciates tradition. Their creations of unique, elegant and eclectic couture tailored for the modern woman have caught the eye of a number of international celebrities such as Beyoncé, Cardi B and Kendall Jenner. Azzi & Osta launched their first ready-to-wear collection in Paris for spring-summer 2019. The collection was immediately bought by prestigious boutiques in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi and Oman.  

Since 2008, Basscoutur founder and artistic director Riad Trabelsi has been activating the idea of re-using and re-interpreting classics using recycled fabrics and vintage pieces. Basscoutur features designs that embrace a minimalistic and maximalist aesthetic viewpoint. The brand twists the obvious and revisits the pieces and their material to grant them a new lease on life. Inspired by the eco-responsible concept of upcyling, Basscoutur questions the notion of clothing’s timelessness while respecting the environment and the era.

Amine Jreissati grew up in a Lebanese family with an acute affinity toward fashion. After a Bachelor's in business hospitality from the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut, he went on to obtain a Master’s degree in fashion design from Istituto Marangoni. Since then, he has been living, breathing and working the fashion industry. Amine kicked off his career with a five-year stint as head of the fashion department at Marie Claire Arabia, after which he became a freelance art director for luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Prada and Bulgari, and as a stylist for select regional and global celebrities. Having worked closely with an array of talented photographers, as well as with reputable regional online and print publications, Amine has produced high-caliber visual shoots and acclaimed editorial content, thus building strong relationships with the local and international press. In October of 2017, he launched his own label, Boyfriend, which consists of capsule-like collections that are minimal, subliminal and gender invisible. He created a special capsule in collaboration with regional influencer and style icon Dana Hourani. His brand has gained a following among the fashion-savvy Beirut and Dubai crowds, garnering such high-profile fans such as Queen Rania of Jordan.

Lebanese-born fine jewelry designer Donna Hourani launched her eponymous brand in August 2016, after earning a degree from the Gemmology Institute of America. Reflecting the designer's passion for creating honest, high-quality handcrafted works of wearable art, Donna Hourani pieces tell inspiring stories set to impact the soul and elegantly adorn those who wear them. Donna Hourani pieces have already been spotted on royalty and celebrities, including Queen Rania of Jordan and Bella Hadid, and they've been featured in key media including Vogue Paris, the Financial Times, Vogue España, Vogue Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Grazia magazine. Ethically sourcing gemstones handpicked by herself, Donna works with the most skilled artisans in Dubai to create pieces that portray stories greater than their existence. The collections stem from sentimental memories of the simple joys in life, and the purity of love and nature.

Hamza Guelmouss is a 24-year-old emerging Moroccan fashion designer whose brand combines a downtown grungy yet luxurious vibe with a fetish for black and leather. After graduating at the top of his class from Casamoda Academy fashion school in Casablanca in 2015, Hamza had the opportunity to intern for Julien Fournié haute couture and discover the creative scene in Paris. His first collection, Dystopia 3.0, garnered pan-African recognition as the winner of the 2015 ELLE rising star competition in South Africa, as well as the 10th edition of FIMA-Africa contest in Niger in 2016. Hamza went on to collaborate with the South African retailer MRP to launch a successful range in 2017. In parallel with his consultancies and collaborations in Morocco’s denim field, Hamza’s time and energy are devoted to crafting empowering pieces that push boundaries and question society, gender and youth culture via subverting the codes of luxury and fashion.

Beirut-born Hussein Bazaza developed an appreciation for all artistic fields at a young age, eventually enrolling at ESMOD Beirut to study fashion. Upon graduation in 2011, Bazaza started with an internship at Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris, and later worked for Elie Saab as a junior designer, before launching his first ready-to-wear collection in 2012, which was selected by the Starch Foundation. At age 23 Hussein opened his first showroom and atelier in Beirut. Hussein was named Best Upcoming Middle East Designer by the ELLE Style Awards in 2013. In 2015, he was named Best Emerging Designer at The Middle East Fashion Awards, and he was also selected as one of the winners of Who Is On Next? in Dubai by Vogue Italia. The following year, he was the inaugural winner of the Style.com/Arabia – DDFC Fashion Prize, with the launch of his capsule collection on Farfetch.com in spring 2016.

Joanna Laura Constantine is the creative force behind her eponymous luxury accessories brand. Her fascination with fashion, jewelry and accessories drove her to the Parsons School of Design, where she obtained a degree in fashion design. After graduation, she held a series of internships at a number of renowned design studios. Her time working in fashion houses such as Donna Karan NY, Lanvin and Nicole Miller marked her creative growth. Soon after in 2010, she launched her own line of fashion jewelry and moved back to Beirut to set up her studio and workshop. Joanna designs with a great deal of whimsy. Her eclectic collections range from the sweet, delicate and sensual to the ultra-edgy and bold. Embracing the duality of a woman, her works represent the feminine as well as the more contemporary, with an urban sense of fearlessness that stems from the core of every individual. Plated in gold and rhodium, her stunning, carefully crafted pieces are encrusted with Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones and pearls. She chooses and perfects each design, down to the smallest detail. Each piece is unique and features a mix of materials and colors that capture pure, clear emotions, whether they are statement pieces or delicate, refined ones. Each collection features a wide range of designs from necklaces and earrings to asymmetrical pieces, handcuffs, ear cuffs, rings, double rings and more. Her signature pieces enjoy a celebrity fan base, including the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kelly Osbourne, Chiara Ferragni, Jessica Alba, Nicole Scherzinger and more. Joanna’s creations are sold online on modaoperandi.com, luisaviaroma.com and ounass.com. They are also available in boutiques and department stores in various parts of the world, including Le Bon Marché, Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols and Bergdorf Goodman.

The goal of fashion should be to tell a story and to transform pieces of fabric into magic that transcends all boundaries – and that’s what characterizes Karim Adduchi’s designs. He is an Arab illustrator and fashion designer who grew up in the mountains in Imzouren, Morocco and moved to Spain at a young age with his family in the hopes of a more prosperous future. When he arrived in Barcelona, he was mute for two years because he was a child lost in translation and confusion. He immersed himself into art and browsing fashion magazines and that helped him find his voice. He started speaking and communicating again due to the healing process of art and fashion. After completing his art studies at the University of Barcelona, he moved to Amsterdam to further his education. Once again, he found himself far away from his family, his hometown and his culture, and he felt an urgent need to express his thoughts through fashion. Unable to speak English or Dutch, he had to escape the silence and communicate with fashion and drawings. His Moroccan and Arab backgrounds gave him the advantage of approaching fashion in a uniquely personal way. He decided to showcase his own story and his heritage in a transparent way – showing who he was instead of who he wanted to be – and the design process was cathartic. What followed was beyond his wildest imagination – he showed his first collection to much acclaim. His story became an example of self-expression and globalization. A year later he was asked to open Amsterdam Fashion Week and the audience related to his message. The dream of a Moroccan child from a small village was coming to life. People saw themselves not just in the clothing but also in Karim's story. Following the success of that show, he decided to have another show in tribute to the Syrian refugees and to give some of them the same opportunity to express themselves using fashion. That same year Forbes Europe and Forbes Middle East included him in their 30 Under 30 lists as one of the most influential designers to watch, and he was honoured with the Amsterdam Culture Business Award. People were speaking of the impact of a Moroccan designer in Europe, showcasing the bridges between Arab and Western cultures and of how his fashion brought a new approach that had never been seen before. That success trickled into him being asked to join the official program of Paris Fashion Week for Fall-Winter 2019-2020 with his first ever ready-to-wear collection. The collection, aptly titled Maktub, tells the story of destiny using Moroccan fabrics, embroideries, prints and designs. The story behind Karim and behind his designs is not just his anymore – it belongs to everyone searching for a way of drowning out the silence of languages and cultures that do not understand them. This is the direction in which we're headed as a society. This is that moment.

Born in London and raised in Beirut, Karma Salman fell in love with jewelry while she was still in school. She graduated with a fine arts degree before specializing in jewelry design. Karma first entered the local jewelry industry after she interned at Selim Mouzannar (2011) and Nada Zeineh (2014). She then launched her first collection. Karma has a passion for architecture in all its expressions: buildings, furniture, objects and forms, across cultures, geographies and time. Inspired by ancient Arabic, Persian and Classical European art, Karma’s collections are the result of extensive research, creative design and skilled craftsmanship. Her universe is playful yet serious, solid yet delicate. To craft her jewelry, she uses the principles of geology, physics, math and chemistry – not just design aesthetics. Karma’s designer jewelry, made of gold and other noble materials, withstands the test of time. Choosing and wearing one of her pieces establishes a personal relation between the piece, the person wearing it and Karma. All the pieces she creates blend elegantly with the wearer and are a source of positive energy.

Liudmila was founded in 2014 by young Kuwaiti designer Najeeba Hayat. The project began as a translation of childhood obsessions with the aesthetic of shoes in cartoons, miniature paintings and Victorian drawings into wearable objects. She saw a gap in the market for birthday shoes: shoes that surprise and delight without moving into the realm of obvious sexy or kitsch. Liudmila brings the Italian artisanal techniques, innovative materials and attention to detail lavished on high heel evening footwear to a lower heel category. Najeeba believes that the future of footwear lies in creating desire and fantasy, while respecting a woman’s mobility.

Marzook's journey into design was initially driven by their passion for art and design. Their maiden collection came about by chance, starting with designing for family and a close circle of friends. Their design intend was to push boundaries, to challenge fashion norms and to create an expression of individuality. As a sibling duo, Marzook signifies the unity of two creative minds. The circle is a profound, transcendent symbol. It is said to represent the cycle of life, completion, inclusion, and eternity. The intertwined double circles (or the letters O) featured in the Marzook logo express the two siblings' interlocking creative relationship. They are dependent on each other's design decisions and they rely on one another for support. Marzouk creates handmade luxury art forms. Each design is individually unique, finding inspiration from art, architecture and nature. The brand's exquisite line of accessories consists of precious metals, plexiglass resins and Swarovski-encrusted spherical shapes and styles. The designs draw inspiration from a rich mix of Eastern and Western cultures, reflecting the world in which the brand was developed.

Nafsika Skourti is a directional upper contemporary womenswear brand that embraces both glamour and anti-glamour. Collections are built around an eclectic mix of references, research and textile development. Nafsika and Stephanie Skourti, two Greek-Jordanian sisters with a balance of fashion and business savvy, are the duo behind the label. Nafsika Skourti has presented eight collections at Paris Fashion Week in international showrooms. Since its inception in 2014, the label has received much recognition from press and celebrities alike and has gone on to be featured in i-D, W Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, Dazed and Vogue. Nafsika Skourti was also a finalist in the 2015 Dubai Design Fashion Council’s Style Arabia Prize. The label is stocked at department stores and boutiques across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, and has secured seed-round investment. Nafsika, the designer and creative director, 31, has a BA in fashion design from London’s Central Saint Martins, and trained in couture embroidery techniques at the prestigious École Lesage in Paris. Before launching her own label, she also spent time working at Marchesa, Jasmine Di Milo and Kumbaz (the renowned Jordanian couture house). If Nafsika is the creative, right-brained sister, Stephanie is the vital left brain of the operation. Stephanie, the commercial director, 29, has a degree in law and five years’ experience at Goldman Sachs in London and Dubai. She manages the business side of the brand: overseeing production, handling clients, keeping an eye on finances and more. Despite the lack of an established fashion landscape in Jordan, Nafsika Skourti has helped create a community of like-minded artists through their passion for design and has had the honor of dressing one of the most stylish women in the Middle East: Queen Rania of Jordan.

Egyptian siblings Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf launched their brand Okhtein – meaning sisters in Arabic – because they wanted to bring true luxury back to their home country. They also sought to draw international attention to the inherent refinement of Egyptian artisanship, while sensing a gap in the market for luxury accessories produced in Egypt. Launched in 2013, Okhtein seeks to set new trends, promoting Egyptian artistry as well as presenting new designs to the world. Born and raised in Cairo, Aya and Mounaz had an early fascination with fashion, with Aya studying communication and media arts along with digital arts and design at the American University of Cairo. Mounaz studied marketing and art at the same institution. Mounaz is also a highly skilled painter and has exhibited her work in galleries in Egypt and Paris. As a brand, Okhtein is remarkable due to its local manufacturing process. Each Okhtein product has deep cultural associations. To manufacture their products, Aya and Mounaz felt compelled to take a philanthropic approach to their work, while also seeking to incorporate more handmade embroidery and straw into their leatherwork. This led to a mutually rewarding collaboration with several local NGOs that work to provide assistance to skilled female workers who have faced considerable financial hardship. Okhtein stands apart as a luxury brand that is truly committed to supporting the cultural value of Egyptian craftsmanship and to giving back to those in need while promoting innovative, cutting-edge design on an international scale.

Born in Lebanon, Emma Boutros graduated with honors from the Lebanese American University (LAU) with a Bachelor's in graphic design. She possesses a high fashion sense with a refined eye for quality, detail and style. By pairing her innate creativity with her acquired design skills, she took on the role of creative director in 2010 to launch Poise, a contemporary footwear label presenting sophisticated lines for an elegant but unconventional young clientele. Emma wanted to cater to women looking to express their individuality and who care as much about style as they do about comfort and quality. Most Poise pieces have embroidery, hand-patches and a mix of colors and fabrics. Emma incorporated the keffiyeh print in many of her designs. She mixed the traditional Arab print with high-quality fabric, and embroidery became her signature. It was her way of celebrating her cultural belonging. In 2012, Emma launched the first-of-its-kind ready-to-wear bridal line, along with the bespoke service of footwear customization. In 2016, she was chosen by Coca-Cola to be the first Arab designer to customize a limited edition of the brand's iconic Coca-Cola Light can, while capturing the beverage's #LOVELIFE philosophy. The collaboration also featured a capsule collection of six exclusive #cokelightxpoise footwear styles. Another major collaboration was with Italian sneaker brand Superga. Emma created a ready-to-wear bridal sneaker line for the brand three years in a row.

Reema Al Banna is the founder and designer of award-winning UAE-based label Reemami. Originally Palestinian, Reema was the first to set up a contemporary fashion label of its kind in 2010. Her label has since been celebrated for its signature architectural and experimental cuts, playful concepts and hand-illustrated graphics and prints, which showcase a passion to dress the cool, quirky and stylish woman. Reema's interest in print was first cultivated as a graphic designer, when she developed technical expertise with an aim to apply it to fashion. She pursued her training in fashion at ESMOD in Dubai and graduated after two years. Reemami's collections are inspired by the designer's love of boxing, mountain climbing, music and traveling. Customers include Queen Rania of Jordan, Bella Hadid and Kelly Rowland.

Dina El Sheikh was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and was raised among diverse cultures, increasing her curiosity and appetite for culture and heritage. She graduated from the American University in Cairo in 2005, majoring in theater with a specialization in costume design and a minor in art. She further continued her studies in fashion design at Istituto Di Moda Burgo in Milan in 2006. In 2015, after working in styling and fashion consultancy, she studied at the Design Studio by Azza Fahmy, learning the techniques of jewelry design. The story behind S.a.d.a.f.a was to revive Egyptian heritage and craftsmanship by adding a contemporary twist. It is about honoring and taking great pride in Egypt's handcrafting skills. S.a.d.a.f.a pays homage to how majestic and grand the city of Cairo is. Just like Cairo, S.a.d.a.f.a has a firm skeleton, but if you focus on the details, you will notice how intricate and delicate they are. The dual meaning in the name of the brand symbolizes S.a.d.a.f.a, meaning mother of pearl in Arabic, and it is also derived from "soudfa" (meaning coincidence in Arabic), because everything in this journey has happened by sheer coincidence. S.a.d.a.f.a strives to create sophisticated and fashionable products that combine elegant design with high quality. The brand's products and the cultural values they embody blend tradition and innovation, and kindle dream and fantasy. S.a.d.a.f.a stands for modern elegance and cool glamour with a distinct sense of refined quality.

Sandra Mansour, a fashion house known for its intricate ready-to-wear line and bespoke bridal wear, was established in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2010. With knowledge and passion for painting, paired with her experience in the fashion world, Sandra’s vision came to life, adorning women around the world. The Sandra Mansour brand is dedicated to creating artistically driven pieces with timeless silhouettes, made of delicate fabrics with extreme attention to detail, as seen in the hand and thread embroidery technique and style. Each piece is romantic yet strong, fashioned to make you dream.

Yasmin Mansour was born in 1990 and earned her fashion degree in 2012. Inherent in her designs is a message to empower women, to give them freedom to be what they want to be. Yasmin is also influenced by her father’s strength and work ethic – seeing her father thrive and build from nothing encouraged her. The Yasmin Mansour brand was founded in 2014. It's one of the first luxury womenswear labels based in Qatar and one that is inspired by Arab culture and traditional women’s clothing. The first collection, Sierra, included embroidered capes reminiscent of an undulating landscape and replete with geometric and structural details. One of the main ideas behind the Yasmin Mansour brand is to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Other achievements for the brand include a collaboration with Nespresso and a sunglasses collection created with Dutch designer Leo Vanweersch.