admin2022-01-15T12:07:10+02:00
Salim Azzam
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
Salim Azzam is a Lebanese visual storyteller and illustrator with a Master’s degree in visual communication design from the University of Alberta in Canada. His socially conscious brand is inspired by local traditions and cultural heritage. His bespoke designs are handcrafted and embroidered by women from Lebanon's mountain villages, infusing traditional know-how into his clothing.
admin2022-01-09T19:22:59+02:00
Krikor Jabotian
Quick view>
Evening wear
Lebanese designer Krikor Jabotian jump-started his career within the creative department at Elie Saab following his graduation from the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Beirut, an enriching experience that paved his path into the industry.
Soon after, Krikor developed independent designs and was selected by Starch Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Rabih Kayrouz and Solidere, to showcase his creations. His first collection marked the beginning of Atelier Krikor Jabotian.
At the age of 23, Krikor set up his first studio and designed his very first collection. The company quickly evolved into a thriving, family-run business with support from his father, mother and sister. Atelier Krikor Jabotian takes pride in its refined craftsmanship and use of opulent fabrics to create a timeless message of heritage, style, tradition and innovation.
admin2022-01-09T19:29:56+02:00
Mukhi Sisters
Quick view>
Jewelry
In February 2009, three Indian-Lebanese sisters (Maya, Meena, and Zeenat Mukhi) decided to take their passion for fine jewelry to the next level. And so Mukhi Sisters was born out of the vibrant influences of different cultures and rich traditions. The three sisters grew up surrounded by design and jewelry-making. Their childhood was full of private shows, trade exhibitions, witnessing artisans at work and exciting discussions about the art and science of jewelry. It was only natural since their father, Chandru Mukhi, comes from a long line of Indian jewelers who have been in the business since 1875 and their mother, Effat Kreidie, has been the woman behind Effys Jewelry since 1982. This intergenerational background makes Mukhi Sisters an independent brand that tells an exceptional story of its own.
Mukhi Sisters transforms stories and personal moments into finely crafted jewelry with real individuality. Perfect jewelry for day and night, the creations reflect each sister’s personal style, interests and obsessions. At Mukhi Sisters, the subtle meets the bold, the vibrant clashes with the sober, the nostalgic meets trendsetting style, the ethnic merges with the urban, and nature blossoms next to fanciful symmetry. It’s a cascade of sensations that celebrates the beauty of semi-precious stones, gold and diamonds to create original statements and to reflect a lifestyle sparkling with individuality. It’s ultimately an invitation to remain true to yourself.
admin2022-01-09T19:30:04+02:00
Roni Helou
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
Roni Helou was born in Lebanon in 1992. He attended Creative Space Beirut, a progressive fashion design institution offering free education. Upon graduating, he took part in Starch Foundation for two seasons, and through Starch his collections were presented at Fashion Forward Dubai.
Roni was awarded the Boghossian Foundation Fashion Prize for 2017, which offers a residency at Villa Empain in Brussels. Pieces from Roni's previous collections were displayed at Les Nouveux Créateurs in Paris as part of Exposition Mode Emergente du Monde Arabe, co-curated by Institut du Monde Arabe and Fashion Forward Dubai.
The brand Roni Helou has been featured in prominent regional media outlets such as Vogue Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and UAE's The National. His designs are sold at various boutiques in the region.
admin2022-01-09T19:22:25+02:00
Sabry Marouf
Quick view>
Accessories
Sabry Marouf is a creative partnership working in luxury artifacts that pay tribute to the designers’ cultural heritage. Ahmed Sabry’s creative and historic narrative joins Daki Marouf’s training as an architect and design-thinker for a partnership of true alchemy. The designers spent two years working with metalworkers, smiths and leather-workshops in Cairo’s historic crafts district of Khan el Khalili before launching their collections of jewelry and bags. They both graduated from London College of Fashion with Master's degrees in Fashion Artifact and Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation, respectively.
Creating timeless objet d’art pieces that combine artisanal tradition with the latest technology in manufacturing, the designers transpose ancient Egypt as a new design language – an expression that is entirely modern. A question Sabry Marouf ask themselves is: where will our pieces be in 100 years' time? The notion of timeless, cherished objects distinguishes their philosophy. Like treasures from a royal tomb, Sabry Marouf pieces have a feeling of being discovered. Beguiling and coded, these modern-day artifacts are talismans in their wearer’s story.
Sabry Marouf was endorsed by Vogue Talents in 2016 as an emerging designer. The designers have also represented Egypt at the International Fashion Showcase 2017 at Somerset House. Supporters include the British Fashion Council’s Anna Orsini, Italian Vogue’s Sara Maino and actor, model and philanthropist Elisa Sednaoui.
admin2022-01-09T19:30:14+02:00
Zyne
Quick view>
Accessories
Zyne means beauty in Arabic and that’s just what Zineb Britel and Laura Pujol are bringing to the world with their unique interpretation of a timeless Moroccan tradition. Zineb is a Moroccan designer based in Casablanca. Her mission is to bring the ancestral footwear know as the "babouche" (mule) and its traditional craftsmanship into the 21st century. Born in the 1990s, her style is anchored in the laid-back, multicultural vibe made popular by her generation.
After studying fashion design at ESMOD in Paris and gaining experience by working at prestigious French fashion houses Christian Dior and Sonia Rykiel, Zineb discovered her passion for shoe design. She furthered her expertise in this discipline at Central Saint Martins in London and Moda Pelle in Italy. It was during those years that she was inspired to explore her own country’s footwear and to develop a fresh new take on the traditional babouche.
Laura is Zineb’s best friend and business partner. She graduated from INSEEC, one of France’s top advertising schools. She then went on to specialize in luxury goods marketing at L’Ecole Internationale de Marketing de Luxe in Paris. Laura has a passion for bringing the painstaking craft of making luxury goods to life and honoring those who dedicate their lives to the trades that make it possible. Laura’s mission is spreading the Zyne passion and message across the world while making new friends for the brand along the way.
Zyne products combine the traditional craftsmanship of Morocco with the quality production of Paris. The footwear collections are 100% handmade by in Morocco by women, in local collaboratives that simultaneously keep the art of babouche-making alive. Already loved by Chiara Ferragni, Leandra Medine and Eva Chen, the shoes regularly sell out on Net-A-Porter.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:28+02:00
AMNA ALSALEM
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:20+02:00
BASSCOUTUR
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:09+02:00
LIUDMILA
Quick view>
Accessories
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:47+02:00
SANDRA MANSOUR
Quick view>
Evening wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:42+02:00
AZZI & OSTA
Quick view>
Evening wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:39+02:00
BOYFRIEND
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:36+02:00
DONNA HOURANI
Quick view>
Jewelry
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:32+02:00
HAMZA GUELMOUSS
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:51:28+02:00
HUSSEIN BAZAZA
Quick view>
Evening wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:33+02:00
JOANNA LAURA CONSTANTINE
Quick view>
Jewelry
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:41+02:00
KARIM ADDUCHI
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:54:20+02:00
KARMA SALMAN
Quick view>
Jewelry
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:54:15+02:00
MARZOOK
Quick view>
Accessories
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:54:04+02:00
OKHTEIN
Quick view>
Accessories
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:59+02:00
POISE
Quick view>
Accessories
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:54+02:00
REEMAMI
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:51+02:00
SADAFA
Quick view>
Accessories
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:53:48+02:00
YASMIN MANSOUR
Quick view>
Evening wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T19:47:15+02:00
NAFSIKA SKOURTI
Quick view>
Ready-to-wear
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.
admin2022-01-09T18:25:41+02:00
MARIA MILANO
Quick view>
Maria Milano has been in the fashion industry for 15 years, starting her career in magazine publishing at Conde Nast and Time Inc. Maria was Editor of InStyle Online before transitioning into retail in 2013, arriving at Harrods as Head of Editorial and Content, where she oversaw all the visuals, styling, product copy and editorial on the Harrods website as well as playing a role in the marketing and social media strategies for the business. In June 2017, Maria was announced Head of Womenswear at Harrods, where she leads the buying teams for all Womenswear categories, including Fashion Lab and Shoe Heaven. Maria has a Master's in journalism from City University, London.
admin2022-01-09T18:25:49+02:00
SARA MAINO
Quick view>
Sara Maino’s first experience in fashion began in the early 1990s while working at the newly opened Corso Como 10 boutique in Milan before joining Vogue Italia as an intern in 1994.
She is now Deputy Editor of Vogue Italia and head of Vogue Talents, a project born in 2009 in support of emerging designers. Vogue Talents is a network that scouts and supports the best creative talents in womenswear, menswear, accessories and fashion photography. It is a platform that creates connections between designers and the fashion industry, supporting the growth of opportunities and new collaborations.
A regular attendee at global talent spotting shows, Sara has served as a judge in several fashion competitions, including the LVMH prize, ITS (International Talent Support), the Designer’s Nest Award, the H&M Award and the Berlin Fashion Film Award, among others.
The number of new initiatives dedicated to talents and signed by her is increasing: The Next Talents, in collaboration with yoox.com, Who is on Next? and Vogue Talents are scouting events in Milan that are organized by Vogue Italia.
admin2022-01-09T18:25:53+02:00
PIERPAOLO PICCIOLI
Quick view>
"I have always loved cinema and during my adolescence I dreamed of becoming a movie director. When I discovered fashion and its narrative power, I decided to become a designer. It was for me a natural evolution of a dream."
After High school, Pierpaolo Piccioli enrolled in the Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome. Commitment sets in during the first years of work in the atelier. After his initial experiences, he arrives at Fendi in 1990 to work on the brand’s accessory line. During this period, he approaches the heart of the profession: the contact with high Italian craftsmanship and the possibility of experimenting with a new approach.
After Fendi, together with Maria Grazia Chiuri, he arrives at Valentino to develop the emerging accessory line. It is the beginning of a challenge: to lead the great tradition of Valentino Couture from dresses to objects, maintaining intact the tradition and the creativity of its founder. The experiment works on all fronts. In 2008, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri are named Valentino’s Creative Directors.
In just a few years, Valentino has become a brand of reference for the fashion system and an international success case. In 2016, with the exit of Maria Grazia Chiuri, Pierpaolo Piccioli is nominated sole Creative Director of the maison. It is the start of a new era, a further evolution for the Italian brand.
"I am interested in the idea of humanism that nourishes creativity. The human connection that forms this maison is for me the best team possible. Here I have discovered that no innovation can exist without a profound knowledge of tradition. At the same time, I know that the sense of limit that springs from this awareness gives you the freedom of thinking of how to trespass it. This, in synthesis, will be the new Valentino direction. A human narration, personal yet unanimous, of a story that is yet to be written."
admin2022-01-09T18:26:00+02:00
NATALIE MASSENET
Quick view>
Natalie Massenet is co-founder and co-Managing Partner of Imaginary Ventures, a venture fund investing in early-stage opportunities at the intersection of retail and technology. Natalie is co-founder alongside Nick Brown, previously of 14W, a New York-based VC firm.
Natalie is also non-executive co-Chairman of Farfetch, a global e-commerce platform for luxury fashion. She was appointed to the role in February 2017 to work alongside Farfetch’s founder, Jose Neves, to help him grow the global brand and strengthen its partnerships in the fashion industry.
Natalie is best known for founding the luxury fashion online retailer, Net-A-Porter, in 2000. The following decade saw Natalie build one of the world’s most influential fashion businesses operating across retail, media and publishing platforms, including net-a-porter.com, theoutnet.com, mrporter.com and the Net Set. With a team of over 2,500 people in London, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Massenet shaped an extraordinary experience for the global luxury fashion consumer. In the year before Natalie stepped down from her role following the YOOX Net-A-Porter merger, the Net-A-Porter-Group recorded net revenues of almost $1 billion
Natalie began her career as a journalist and fashion editor, working at WWD and Tatler before setting up Net-A-Porter. In 2009, Natalie was awarded an MBE, and in 2016 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, both in recognition of her contributions to the UK fashion and retail industry. Natalie was Chairman of the British Fashion Council between 2013-2017, and was appointed a UK DTI Business Ambassador in March 2016.
admin2022-04-28T13:56:50+03:00
ERDEM
Quick view>
ERDEM is an independent house of bold fashion, based in London. Founded in 2005 by designer Erdem Moralioglu, the brand has forged its own path within the industry. Poetic and rigorous, ageless and timeless, powerful and versatile, Erdem’s world is an intriguing interplay of strength and beauty. In fifteen years, Erdem has established an exuberant language of creativity that transcends fashion to inspire strength and confidence in the women for whom he designs. It is a passionate language that is evocative and eccentric in character, fluently spoken with a beauty that is intense and romantic. Renowned for modern, powerful womenswear, the brand introduced menswear in 2021, inspired by the conversation and exchange between male and female expression. The house of ERDEM is cultured and erudite, underpinned by a belief in the power and skill of craftsmanship. Mind and hand work together to bring imagination to life with precision, artistry and the compelling dexterity of the handmade. Respect for traditional skills is combined with an excitement for innovation, in technique and application. Erdem is at heart a storyteller. Collections are formed around a narrative, championing heroic characters at a particular moment in time. Erdem’s fashion is dramatic, atmospheric and expressive.
admin2022-01-09T18:24:30+02:00
ANTOINE ARNAULT
Quick view>
Antoine Arnault is a French businessman. He graduated from HEC Montreal and holds an MBA from INSEAD. He's been CEO of Berluti, the Paris-based company specializing in upscale shoes, accessories and ready-to-wear for men, since 2012. Antoine Arnault is also Chairman of Loro Piana, the Italian label renowned for materials of the finest quality. Previously, he was Head of Communications at Louis Vuitton. Both Berluti and Loro Piana are part of the LVMH Group, of which Antoine has been a member of the board since 2006.
In 2011, he launched the “Journées Particulières,” which give the public free, behind-the-scenes access to parts of the LVMH Group. The fourth edition took place on October 12, 13 and 14, 2018, with LVMH inviting visitors to discover 56 maisons and 77 exceptional places on five continents.
In addition to his current roles, Antoine supervises all communication and image issues related to the LVMH Group, including all major events.
admin2022-04-28T13:54:09+03:00
EDGARDO OSORIO
Quick view>
Exuding a modern, alluring elegance, Aquazzura's footwear collections have become instantly iconic since their debut in 2012. Exquisitely handmade in Italy with a particular focus on comfort and wearability, Edgardo Osorio's creations combine luxury and craftsmanship with an innovative design, sophisticated embellishments, and vibrant colour palettes.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the brand: a decade of extraordinary successes defined by a new sophisticated femininity that has immediately gained international recognition. The Creative Director and Founder Edgardo Osorio - a life spent living between Colombia, Miami and London working for prestigious fashion houses - decided to establish his own brand in Florence, heart of Italian art and capital of the best shoemakers and artisans. Edgardo's dream business idea came to life inside the spectacular setting of Palazzo Corsini, Aquazzura’s headquarters, starting a ten-year journey of pure creativity and love for Italian savoir-faire, through the combination of traditional techniques and luxurious materials.
From the signature seasonal collections to exclusive collaborations and bespoke creations, Aquazzura’s styles have been worn by the likes of Hollywood stars such as Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lawrence, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa among many others, and royalties including HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Aquazzura’s shoes have been recently showcased in major movie productions; such as the popular TV series And Just Like That… starring Sarah Jessica Parker (sequel of the iconic TV series Sex & The City), in the latest James Bond movie No Time to Die with Ana de Armas, and worn by Lady Gaga in House of Gucci, directed by Ridley Scott.
Aquazzura's collections are available at over 300 top retailers in 58 countries, online at aquazzura.com, and at flagship boutiques in Florence, London, New York, Miami, Doha, Dubai, Milan, São Paulo, Capri, and soon in Madrid and Paris.
admin2022-01-09T18:24:39+02:00
ALEXANDER WANG
Quick view>
Alexander Wang was born and raised in San Francisco, California and later moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. In 2005, after two years, he pursued the launch of his own label. The collection began predominately in knitwear, represented by six unisex silhouettes. In Spring 2007, it had evolved into a full women’s ready-to-wear line and the collection was shown for the first time on the runway in Fall 2007.
In its essence, the Alexander Wang brand’s sensibility is a reflection on contrasts, blending seamlessly between the refined and the imperfect. His collections have an unprecious outlook on fashion, and always reflect a sense of ease. He is renowned for his irreverent approach and for perpetually evolving and re-contextualizing the urban uniform.
admin2022-01-09T18:25:44+02:00
SARAH MOWER
Quick view>
Sarah Mower MBE is a journalist and advocate for young designers whose curiosity about the meaning and direction of fashion has always motivated her to seek out new talent. As chief critic for Style.com, and then American Vogue’s Voguerunway.com she has charted the rise of the designers in London Uprising, often finding and making relationships with them as students. Her interest in scouting talent and representing their problems to the British Fashion Council led to an active roaming role as the BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent in 2009. She took the chair of the New Gen selection committee in the same year, bringing in London’s top expert buyers and fashion editors to collectively help navigate young designers through their first years in business.
Sarah’s career started as fashion editor at The Guardian in 1986, but she attributes her first interests to growing up in Bath, visiting the Museum of Costume, and to the encouragement of her art teacher mother Celia Mower, the inspiration of her stylish grandmother Maisie Defriez and to her aunt Dodo Palengat, who changed her life by giving her a subscription to Vogue as a 13th birthday present. Sarah studied English and History of Art at Leeds University. She was appointed MBE for Services to the Fashion Industry by her Majesty the Queen in 2011.
admin2022-01-09T18:25:56+02:00
IMAAN HAMMAM
Quick view>
Imaan Hammam’s fierce ascent into the top tier category of fashion model has without doubt projected her to become one of the industry’s most recognizable supermodels.
Of Moroccan and Egyptian descent, she made her fashion debut in 2013 when she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Hermès, Proenza Schouler, Chanel and Valentino. Since then, Imaan has become the choice subject for renowned fashion photographers Steven Meisel, Craig McDean, Annie Leibovitz, David Sims, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and Inez & Vinoodh.
Imaan held the most international Vogue covers of any model in 2017. Her ever-growing cover resume includes the Arabic, British, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Dutch and coveted September issue of American Vogue, along with Allure, Teen Vogue and Porter Magazine.
She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and is represented by DNA Model Management.
admin2022-01-09T18:26:05+02:00
CARLA BRUNI
Quick view>
Carla Bruni-Tedeschi was born in Turin, Italy, on 23 December 1967. She is the daughter of concert pianist Marisa Borini and of industrialist and opera composer Alberto Bruni-Tedeschi.
Carla grew up and went to school in Paris. After her high school graduation, she studied art and architecture. She left school at 19 to become a model.
As a model she worked with the most prestigious designers (Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Armani, Ferre, Valentino, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Jen-Paul Gaultier and more), both for runway shows and advertising campaigns. She graced the covers of magazines worldwide such as Vogue, Elle and Marie-Claire, worked with the most renowned photographers (Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Michel Comte etc.), and became part of the exclusive group called the ”Supermodels” in the 1990s.
She retired from modelling in 1997 to dedicate herself to her music career.
In 2008 Carla Bruni married French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
In December 2008, Carla was named global ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS by UNAIDS, UNICEF and The Global Fund against HIV tuberculosis and malaria.
In April 2009, the Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Foundation was established under the Foundation de France’s aegis, and started operating in September that year.
admin2022-01-09T18:27:03+02:00
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Quick view>
Victoria Beckham started studying ballet at a young age, moving on to pursue her interest in dance at the Laine Theatre Arts college in the United Kingdom. She went on to achieve global stardom with the Spice Girls.
Victoria is now a global businesswoman and Creative Director of the Victoria Beckham brand – launched in 2008 and awarded the prestigious Designer Brand of the Year accolade at the British Fashion Awards in both 2011 and 2014. The brand showcases only the finest craftsmanship, fabrication and materials, with all four Victoria Beckham lines developed at Victoria’s studio in London. As the Victoria Beckham collections become ever more progressive, so this passion for innovation extends to the brand’s communications and creative projects.
The year 2013 saw the launch of victoriabeckham.com, a website offering both e-commerce and interactive content curated to provide a more intimate view of Victoria’s design approach and working processes. In 2014 Victoria Beckham opened its first store at 36 Dover Street in London – a collaboration with architect Farshid Moussavi to transform a neglected Mayfair townhouse into a shopping destination echoing the dynamism and modernity at the heart of the brand. In March 2016 Victoria opened her second retail site at the Landmark Hong Kong.
In 2014 Victoria was appointed International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. In this role Victoria is collaborating with UNAIDS to raise awareness around HIV. She has undertaken several global field missions - from China to Africa raising awareness on HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
In April 2017, Victoria was awarded an OBE for her services to the fashion industry.
admin2022-01-09T18:21:30+02:00
STEFANO TONCHI
Quick view>
Stefano Tonchi was the Editor in Chief of W from 2010 to 2019. Under his direction, W has garnered numerous awards, from being named Hottest Fashion Magazine by Adweek to receiving several Webby nods and more than 20 medals from the Society of Publication Designers, to winning the 2018 National Magazine Award for Photography.
Stefano oversaw the publication of W: Stories, a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most memorable fashion portfolios from the past decade, and W: The First 40 Years, a photographic celebration of the magazine’s 40th anniversary.
Prior to W, Mr. Tonchi was the Creator and Editor in Chief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, which he introduced in 2004 after serving as Style Editor at the Sunday Times Magazine. In 2008, T was named Magazine of the Year by the Society of Publication Designers.
From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Tonchi was the Fashion Creative Director for Esquire. In 2001, Esquire earned the Magazine of the Year Award from the Society of Publication Designers, as well as National Magazine Award nominations for Photography and Design.
admin2022-01-09T18:21:50+02:00
SONAM KAPOOR AHUJA
Quick view>
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is an Indian actress and the daughter of Bollywood star and global icon Anil Kapoor.
Sonam started her career as an assistant director to the legendary Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the award-winning film Black. During her time on set she was cast in her first film Saawariya. Her path to stardom ascended rapidly with leading roles in Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which earned her numerous best actress nominations.
In a welcome departure from her previous roles and one that would be one of the most commercially successful films with a woman as a protagonist, Sonam went on to win a National Award for her film Neerja in 2016.
With a versatile choice in films, Sonam emerged as the most profitable female actor, proving her to be one of the most bankable stars of the industry. In 2019, Sonam appeared in Bollywood’s first LGBT love story.
Sonam was named by the Huffington Post as one of the 100 Most Influential Women on Twitter. Her reach on social media includes over 17 million followers on Instagram.
Sonam is also a fashion icon with global influence. She regularly graces the covers of international fashion magazines. A flag bearer of Indian fashion on international Red Carpets, she shows off a bold style and experimental fashion choices that have made her a favorite among fashion designers. She is also a long-standing ambassador for cosmetics brand L’Oreal.
In 2017, Sonam and her sister Rhea Kapoor launched high street fashion brand Rheson. The pop culture-inspired label was instantly successful and is available online and in multi-brand stores.
Sonam is a passionate supporter of numerous charitable organizations. Her philanthropy work supports Women’s rights, LGBT rights and breast cancer awareness.
admin2022-01-09T18:15:33+02:00
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
Quick view>
Diane von Furstenberg is a fashion designer, philanthropist and Founder and Chairman of the global fashion company that bears her name. In 1974, she created the iconic wrap dress, which became a symbol of power and independence for women all over the world.
Von Furstenberg’s commitment to empowering women is expressed not only through fashion, but also philanthropy and mentorship. In 2005, von Furstenberg received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA. One year later, she became CFDA’s President and, in 2015, was named Chairwoman.
For the past decade, she has served on the board of Vital Voices, an organization that supports female leaders and entrepreneurs around the world.
In 2010, with the Diller von-Furstenberg Family Foundation, she created the DVF Awards to honor and provide grants to extraordinary women who have displayed courage, strength and leadership in their commitment to their causes. In 2015, she was named one of the TIME 100 Most Influential People. In 2018, she received the CFDA Swarovski Award for Positive Change
With her corporate headquarters in New York’s Meatpacking District, von Furstenberg was actively involved in the campaign to save the historic High Line railway and to develop The High Line into what it is today. She also serves on the board of the Shed and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Von Furstenberg is married to Barry Diller. She has two children, Alexander and Tatiana, and four grandchildren.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:12+02:00
Page load link
DESIREE BOLLIER
Quick view>
Desirée Bollier, Chair of Value Retail Management and Chief Merchant of Value Retail’s global business (The Bicester Village Shopping Collection), is a driving force behind placing premium shopping tourism firmly on the global stage. Her retail career started in the United States with various management roles culminating as Senior Vice President of Retail at Polo Ralph Lauren for Europe and the Gulf, before joining Value Retail in 2001. Her leadership has seen Value Retail’s unique “retailers serving retailers” business model continue to generate consistent double-digit growth in gross sales each year, achieved since the opening of its first project, Bicester Village, in 1995.
Desirée is on the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and will soon undertake the role of regional Vice Chairman for the European Union and the United Kingdom. In addition, she is a member of the British Fashion Council Trust and sits on the Corporate Advisory Board of the Royal Academy of Arts.
Desirée holds a degree in Law from the Université Paris X-Faculté de Droit, graduating in 1980.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:20+02:00
GHIZLAN GUENEZ
Quick view>
Ghizlan Guenez is the Founder and CEO of The Modist, the first global luxury e-commerce destination, with offices in London and Dubai, where leading fashion brands are curated for women who want to dress fashionably yet modestly, across religions, backgrounds and ethnicities. The modest market is estimated at $260 billion and growing to reach $500 billion by 2019, and The Modist is first to address this market with a luxury proposition.
Originally from Algeria, Ghizlan lived most of her life in Dubai and the Middle East, and holds a first class BSC from the London School of Economics. With over 10 years of experience in Private Equity with The Abraaj Group, Ghizlan has cultivated in-depth knowledge in emerging markets and was responsible for brand development and partnership development in more than 30 countries. Her work in entrepreneurship, art and sustainability led to successful long-standing partnerships with the World Economic Forum, Art Dubai and Endeavor Global, to name a few.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:30+02:00
NADINE LABAKI
Quick view>
Nadine Labaki was born in Lebanon, and grew up during the years of civil war, obtaining a degree in Audiovisual Studies in 1997 from Beirut’s Saint Joseph University. After graduation, she immediately moved into directing television commercials and music videos for popular artists in the region, garnering several awards.
In 2005, Nadine participated in the Cannes Film Festival Residence to write Caramel, her first feature film set in Beirut. She directed and took a lead role in the film, which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2007 and won the Youth Jury Award, as well as the Audience Award at San Sebastian Film Festival. Caramel was released theatrically in over 60 countries. In 2008, she received the Insignia of Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. Nadine’s second feature, Where Do We Go Now?, which she again wrote, directed and starred in, also premiered at Cannes in 2011 in the Un Certain Regard category, and won a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury. It went on to win the Cadillac People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Audience Award at San Sebastian Film Festival, before screening at Sundance in 2012. Where Do We Go Now? was nominated for Best Foreign Film by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards and is Lebanon’s highest- grossing Arabic film to date.
Her third film feature, Capernaum, was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to win the festival's Jury Prize. Capernaum was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2019, making Nadine Labaki the first female Arab director to be nominated for an Oscar.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:48+02:00
RABIH KAYROUZ
Quick view>
Rabih Kayrouz’s foray into fashion design started in 1991, when he began his studies at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Attracted by the booming energy of his home country, Lebanon, he returned to Beirut, establishing Maison Rabih Kayrouz in 1998, where for 10 years he created exquisite gowns for discerning women.
In 2009, Rabih returned to Paris where he set up his studio at 38 Boulevard Raspail, surrounding himself with the best French artisans in order to create his luxury ready-to-wear. In 2013, Rabih Kayrouz was nominated as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. Today, Rabih develops his ready-to-wear and couture collections around the world.
admin2022-01-09T18:42:39+02:00
NEZHA ALAOUI
Quick view>
Nezha Alaoui is an active entrepreneur and influencer currently based in New York with additional offices in Rabat, Morocco and Paris. She started her entrepreneurial life at the age of 24 and has demonstrated during the last 10 years a significant track-record. She is currently running five businesses including a franchise chain, luxury leather goods collection, consulting services and hospitality services (under the Mayshad trademark). She has also developed a foundation that empowers women and youth leadership.
admin2022-01-09T19:10:34+02:00
SHEIKHA RAYA AL KHALIFA
Quick view>
Sheikha Raya Al-Khalifa founded Wajood Consultancy in Doha, Qatar. One of her consultancy's main goals is to preserve cultural identity while harnessing social and knowledge capital from a globalized platform, to deliver concepts in various fields of interest from fashion, art and social development. She creates lasting and mutually beneficial exchanges for long-term growth.
admin2022-01-09T19:10:41+02:00
RACHAD TABIAT
Quick view>
Lebanese-born Rachad Tabiat is the owner of AlOthman, Kuwait’s first multi-brand high-end boutique. The store, founded by his father in 1956, was one of the first to bring European brands to the Middle East. Today, AlOthman offers both luxury designer brands and contemporary fashion labels, in addition to being instrumental in nurturing emerging talent by giving local designers a space to present and promote their pieces.
Alongside the 50,000-square-foot flagship boutique in the heart of Kuwait’s busiest shopping districts, AlOthman opened a second outpost in Bahrain’s Moda Mall in 2007. In 2013, Rachad set his sights on London with the introduction of On Motcomb, a multi-brand boutique devoted to Red Carpet attire. Over the last two years, he has also delved into e-commerce with the launch of the56.com – an online platform for evening wear – and TheVault56.com, an online outlet for designer gowns.
admin2022-01-09T19:10:50+02:00
REEM ACRA
Quick view>
Reem Acra is a renowned international designer known for her breathtaking collections in ready-to-wear and bridal. She combines tradition with a modern aesthetic and leads the way by continuously redefining the boundaries of fashion.
She launched her eponymous line Reem Acra New York in 1997, and, after successfully establishing herself in the bridal market, expanded into ready-to-wear in 2008.
Of Lebanese heritage, Acra graduated from the American University of Beirut with a business degree. She went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York and the École supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Paris.
Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Kate Hudson have worn her intricate designs to red carpet events such as the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes.
Some of her notable accolades include being named the Seventh Most Powerful Arab Woman in the World by Forbes Magazine, which includes the likes of Amal Clooney, Nemat Shafik and Zaha Hadid. She has also been the recipient of the Building Bridges Award from the Bridges of Understanding foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to improve relations between the Middle East and the United States.
Acra is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and serves on the Board of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council since its inception. Recently, in a bid to inspire young Arab women and aspiring designers and broaden her reach to this target group, Acra has co-created and starred on the hugely successful Middle Eastern reality TV show, Fashion Star, where she serves as the lead judge and mentor to 12 aspiring up-and-coming designers.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:15+02:00
SUSAN SABET
Quick view>
Susan Sabet launched Pashion, the quarterly, bi-lingual (Arabic and English), fashion, beauty and luxury magazine in 2003, with pan-Arab distribution in nine countries. In May 2016, Susan launched Pashion Vienna, the first and only Arabic fashion and luxury magazine in Austria.
For eight years in a row, Pashion was the only Arab magazine appointed as media partner at the annual New York Times Luxury Conference. Other media partnerships include the bi-annual Fashion Forward Dubai, on whose advisory board Susan was appointed in 2018.
Under the magazine’s umbrella, Susan first created Luxury for a Cause in 2008 and then in 2011 she laucned Cairo Fashion Nights, an annual event that promotes Egyptian designers locally. She further organized events internationally to promote young Egyptian designers.
In 2008, Susan was appointed a judge for the Swiss Textile Award, and in 2014 she was chosen as one of the top 500 most influential people in the fashion industry by Business Of Fashion, a position she held for four years in a row. She was also appointed project organizer and curator for the Egyptian showcase at the IFS at London Fashion Week, in February 2016, 2017 and 2019.
In November 2017, she was one of five founders of the Egyptian Fashion & Design Council (EFDC), which operates under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Trade & Industry, the Egyptian Ministry of Investment, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Ministry of Planning.
Susan also has a background in children’s ready-to-wear manufacturing and retail, with experience in marketing as account director at the Cairo office at TMI International for many years, and as a freelance fashion editor at an Egyptian lifestyle magazine.
Born and raised in Vienna, Susan holds the Austrian and Egyptian nationalities and speaks German, English, Arabic and French.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:26+02:00
WISSAM AL MANA
Quick view>
Wissam Al Mana is a board member and the Managing Director of S.H. Al Mana Group of Companies, one of the most diversified groups in the Middle East, operating in eight countries.
The group’s activities include automotive distribution and services, real estate and investments, retail, food and beverage, engineering, technology, media and entertainment. Operating over 300 outlets, Al Mana represents some of the largest and most successful brands in the world, covering most areas of retail including luxury goods, beauty, fashion, home interiors, watches and jewelry.
Wissam Al Mana is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, DC.
admin2022-01-09T19:11:35+02:00
CAROLINE ISSA
Quick view>
Caroline Issa grew up in Montreal, Canada and left to do her undergraduate business management degree at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Starting her career as a strategic management consultant in San Francisco for clients such as Nordstrom and Dr. Pepper/7Up, she later lived in Singapore and ultimately London, working for clients such as Standard Chartered bank and Boots. Caroline made the leap into the world of magazine publishing upon meeting the Tank Magazine co-founders and debuted in the world of fashion in 2002. Since then, she still publishes Tank Magazine. She also launched a digital online magazine www.becauselondon.com seven years ago, and she continues to create ad campaigns, digital content strategy and brand strategy work with her creative agency Tank Form team.
She has been named twice to Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List, has been on BoF's Most Influential list since its inauguration, has styled the Tod’s runway fashion shows and campaigns, created a namesake label and eight collections for retail partner Nordstrom and designed a sell-out shoe collection for British contemporary brand LK Bennett. She acts as a style consultant and content creator for luxury and retail brands.
admin2022-02-09T12:59:29+02:00
NEZ GEBREEL
Quick view>
Nez Gebreel has had a deep and celebrated career in global brand development and management. She is the former Chief Executive Officer for the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC), an organization that aims to further the interests of Dubai’s fashion industry. As the founding CEO, Nez set the foundation for success through the establishment of Dubai Design Week, the launch of ground-breaking MENA Design Outlook and MENA Design Education Outlook reports. She was involved in local incubators, the DDFC/Vogue Arabia Fashion Prize and DDFC Talks, created to give designers the opportunity to share skills and provide or benefit from mentorships.
Prior to the Council, Nez spent seven years in charge of managing the strategic growth of David and Victoria Beckham’s individual and joint business and creative projects. During this time, Nez was instrumental in launching David Beckham’s Football Academy in London and Los Angeles, and managed all key brand collaborations including Motorola, Adidas, Pepsi, AEG and Gillette. She also helped develop Victoria Beckham’s wildly successful fashion projects, including the facilitation of multimillion dollar collaborations with Rock & Republic and Samantha Thavassa, as well as the building of the Victoria Beckham fashion brand.
Nez’s expertise is in the strategic development of global brands and commercially driven fashion, entertainment and media related business projects. She is highly creative, with experience in Intellectual Property concept creation and business strategy development, both in-house for established companies and start-up environments. She is based in London and Dubai.
admin2022-02-09T12:52:08+02:00
ROGER MOUKARZEL
Quick view>
Globally recognized photographer Roger Moukarzel has been working in the world of image since age 15. In the early 1980s, he started as a war photographer for Sygma and Reuters, and had his work published in a variety of newspapers and magazines worldwide, namely the Washington Post and Newsweek. He also held the cover of Paris Match for its 40th anniversary issue. Roger Moukarzel’s production house, Minime, has become one of the most trusted and respected in the Middle East.
admin2022-04-27T10:54:09+03:00
SAIF MAHDHI
Quick view>
French Tunisian talent agent, Saif Mahdhi has been working in the fashion industry for the last 27 years. Developing careers of models, actresses, singers and other visible figures such as Anja Rubik, Caroline de Maigret , Lana Del Rey, Rita Ora, Jane Birkin, ASAP Rocky or Travis Scott to name a few.
He worked his way up through various agencies such as Marilyn Agency, Viva Model Management and Next Model Management as the President of their European operations. This completely self-taught workaholic has established his own company SAFE MGMT for the last 4 years representing various talents across a wide spectrum of expertise.
As a non-profit organization, the generosity and commitment of our Official Sponsors is vital. Fashion Trust Arabia thanks you for continuously supporting our initiative.
Your Content Goes Here
Your Content Goes Here
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Manage consent
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
- Login
- Sign Up