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Top Arab Fashion Designers
Step into the world of Arab fashion and experience the convergence of tradition and modernity as we spotlight the trailblazing designers shaping this dynamic landscape!
The Arab region and its influence on global culture consists of 22 different countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
With an eye for innovation and a deep reverence for cultural heritage, these artisans are creating the future of haute couture and fashion while amplifying the rising clout of Arab culture on the global stage. From intricate embroidery to bold, avant-garde creations, join us on a journey through the captivating narratives and unparalleled craftsmanship that underscore the enduring influence of Arab fashion designers.
Elie Saab
While his main workshop is in his home country of Lebanon, Elie Saab’s collections can be found in haute-couture boutiques around the world. Since the 80s, Saab has built a fashion empire that has earned him a place in “Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture,” the first Lebanese designer to be admitted. His authority in the industry also saw him appear as a judge on Project Runway: Middle East. A master of couture design, of all the famous Arab designers we love, this one is for sure a long-time favorite!
Read The Full Elie Saab Story | Feature Image: Elie Saab Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024
Rami Al Ali
Born and raised in Syria and now residing in Dubai, Rami leaned into his passion for design early on. He founded his couture brand in 2000 and has since been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Taryn Manning, and more. Rami’s sophisticated gowns blend traditional cultural influences with modern couture sensibilities. Love Happens had the privilege of speaking with Rami about his inspiration, his process, and some of his stunning designs for one of our special print editions, which also featured our founder Janet Morais in the couture look below!
Georges Hobeika
One of the most famous Arab designers of Lebanese descent of ready-to-wear and couture fashion. Georges Hobeika has seen international success since opening his atelier in Beirut in 1995. His collections have been a staple of Paris Fashion Week runways for over a decade, and while he still heads the fashion house from Beirut, the brand has branches in LA, Paris, and Beijing.
Ashi Studio
Mohammed Ashi is a Saudi Arabian designer known for his intricate, artful use of embroidery in patterns that exude meticulous savoir-faire. Before launching his label in 2007, he studied fashion design and patternmaking at the legendary ESMOD. He gained professional experience at Givenchy and spent time working under Elie Saab. His unflinchingly contemporary yet timeless designs have been worn by celebrities such as Zendaya, Beyoncé, and Cardi B.
Maison Sara Chraibi
Born in Rabat, Sara grew up immersed in lively Moroccan art, architecture, and craft. She studied architecture in Rabat before moving to Paris to pursue a DEA in “Philosophy and Theory of Architecture.” Her passion for fashion was ignited by the French couture scene, and she returned to Morocco in 2014 where she founded her atelier. Her masterful blending of Western influences and traditional aesthetics results in rich, colorful couture that captures the eye with dreamy silhouettes and consistently “wows” on runways at Paris Fashion Week.
Zuhair Murad
Born and raised in Baalbek, Lebanon, Zuhair was drawn to fashion from a young age. At just 14, he won a TV contest with three outfits showcasing his personal style. After studying at a design school in Paris, he opened his first atelier in 1997. Since his international debut at Alta Roma fashion week, his collections have taken to runways all over the world. He has gained notoriety as a red carpet designer for the stars thanks to signature styles with unique flair. Another of our most famous Arab designers!
Azzedine Alaïa
Born in Tunisia in 1935, Azzedine made a name for himself in the French fashion scene after years of hard work and meticulous study of haute couture. Though his parents were wheat farmers, he followed his passion to Paris, where he worked for fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, and Thierry Mugler. He launched his first collection in 1980 and saw (skyrocketing) success thanks to his skillful tailoring and distinctive gloves. His highly influential,curve-hugging silhouettes earned him the nickname “King of Cling.”
Reem Acra
After graduating magna cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 1986, Reem Acra studied at the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode design school in Paris. A Beirut native, Reem found her way to bridal design after a close friend asked her to design her wedding dress.Today her dresses are worn by brides around the world, boasting a multicultural, contemporary, yet romantic style.
Rami Kadi
At just 25 years old, Rami opened his first showroom in Beirut. His bridal gowns and evening wear quickly attracted international attention thanks to his impeccable attention to detail. His passion for hand-made work goes hand-in-hand with his dedication to environmental causes. Rami Kadi was designated the UNEP Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Fashion in West Asia in 2020, and champions sustainable practices in fashion.
Tony Ward
Known as “The Architect of Detail,” Tony was born into fashion. His father, Elie Ward, was a Beirut-based couturier. At 18, he moved to Paris to study haute couture and work alongside visionaries such as Karl Lagerfeld and Gianfranco Ferré. With the launch of his first award-winning couture line in 1997, he quickly rose to international prominence. He has since presented at Fashion Weeks around the world and continues to draw praise for his stunning couture, bridal, and ready-to-wear collections.
Arwa Al Banawi
One of the leading female fashion designers in the Middle East, Arwa set out to fill a need she saw for modern, urban, professional womenswear. After completing her studies at the London College of Fashion in Dubai, she originally launched her eponymous brand in 2015. Her feminine and fashion-forward collection, “The Suitable Woman,” plays with graphic patterns and eye-catching colors. With eyes on a relaunch of her label in a post-COVID world, sustainability and designs for empowered women are at the forefront of her vision.
Faiza Bouguessa
Headquartered in the Dubai Design District, Faiza Bouguessa’s label turns out minimalist, sophisticated, elegant collections multiple times a year. Exposed to sewing and knitting from a young age thanks to her grandmother, a skilled seamstress, Faiza gravitated to a similar trade. Through multiple internships in tailor shops, she developed her knowledge of pattern-making and textile crafts. Her signature style relies on clean, bold lines, and modern silhouettes inspired by contemporary art and architecture.
Madiyah Al Sharqi
A member of the ruling family of Fujairah, she grew up surrounded by high fashion. Enamored with the design process, Madiyah pursued fashion studies at Esmod in Paris and interned with Lebanese designer Abed Mahfouz. Her designs are heavily influenced by 1970s fashion, featuring romantic, decadent color palettes and edgy, playful patterns. She has quickly become a name to know in the Arab fashion scene.
Razan Alazzouni
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Razan felt drawn to international studies to nurture her passion for the arts. Acceptance to TUFTS University in Boston offered her a chance to develop her vision and skill, honing in on sculpture, papermaking, and screenprinting. This background shows through in the numerous collections she has released since founding her clothing line in 2008, with the help of her two sisters, Raya and Salwa. One of the famous female Arab fashion designers to note!
Yousef Aljasmi
Know for sparkling statement pieces and red carpet glam, Yousef Al-jasmi’s creations have turned heads on celebrities like Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, and Kylie Jenner. The Kuwait native discovered his gift for design by playing with material his designer sister left around the house, and his bold fits have since put his brand in the spotlight. His brand (which drops the hyphen from his name) launched in 2015 and marries the glitz of Kuwait’s fashion scene with old-school Hollywood glam.
Mashael Alrajhi
Holding both a Business Administration from King Saud University and a diploma in fashion design from the Box Hill Institute, Mashael creates ready-to-wear collections for both women and men. Launching her label in 2013, she is one of the few female designers in the Arab world with a focus on menswear. Her designs play with fabric layering and texture. In 2016, Mashael Alrajhi became the first Saudi designer to be selected for the International Fashion Showcase at London Fashion Week.
Mochi
Ayah Tabari, the founder and designer behind Mochi, was born in Palestine and raised in Amman and Riyadh before moving to London to pursue her studies and ultimately settling in Amsterdam and Dubai. Since 2013, Mochi has served as an expression of Ayah’s passion for artisan handcrafts, traditional embroidery, and sartorial arts. With a focus on creating colorful, sustainable couture that celebrates the modern woman, Mochi has graced the runway of New York Fashion Week and enjoyed collaborations with international brands such as Kiehl’s.
Lama Jouni
Another leading woman among famous Arab fashion designers, Lama gained experience working at fashion houses such as Balmain, Reed Krakoff, and Rad Hourani. The Lebanese, Dubai-based designer is known for her bold, modern style; keen on continually evolving. With versatility, accessibility, and sustainability at the heart of the brand, Lama is a Fashion Week runway regular. Her minimalist aesthetic celebrates feminity and sophistication in its simplicity.
Marmar Halim
Headquartered in the famous Dubai Design District, Marmar Halim specializes in enchanting bridal and evening wear gowns. Originally from Egypt, she began her fashion career with an education at the Fashion Design Centre, in partnership with Istituto di Moda Burgo. Her iconic gowns have appeared on runways at Dubai and LA Fashion Weeks, standing out with their intricate detailing and powerful silhouettes.
Fatema Fardan
Born in the UAE, Fatema followed a lifelong passion for fashion, graduating with Honors from the AIU in London. Her worldly vision, hands-on experience, and technical expertise have made her a highly sought-after name in Arab fashion. Movie stars and A-listers worldwide flaunt her contemporary, delicate, feminine designs.
Amine Bendriouich
One of the most distinctive and disruptive designers on the scene; Amine injects his punk-rock attitude to high fashion. Growing up in Marrakech, his heritage and culture inform his avant-garde approach to dress. He studied fashion at ESMOD in Tunisia and had his first catwalk show in Casablanca; his eccentric, free-spirited designs transcend gender, trend, and season. Amine’s work has been shown around the world, and worn by the likes of Skrillex, Keziah Jones, and Massive Attack.
Mayada Adil
Multidisciplinary hardly begins to describe her impressive resumé: a medical doctor, fashion designer, and a Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals; a UN initiative. She is an outspoken advocate of women’s rights, refugee rights, and health equity around the world. Mayada Adil channels her passion for her culture and history into design, using fashion as a tool of empowerment and storytelling. A beloved name among our most favorite famous Arab fashion designers!
Meera Adnan
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Meera Albaba moved around between the UK, Germany, and Turkey and pursued her education abroad before moving to Gaza City and launching her label in 2019. Her Palestinian heritage shows through proudly in the loving details and inspired elements of her collections. She incorporates traditional motifs and trends that root her elevated designs in a sense of nostalgia, romance, and place.
Karim Adduchi
Though he was born in Morocco, he moved to Spain at only five years old. His talent for drawing drew him to attend the Institute of Fine Arts in Barcelona, and he later pursued a degree in fashion design at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. He put his brand on the map through collaborations with refugee artisans and is both a co-founder and creative advisor of the World Makers Foundation.
Charaf Tajer – Casablanca
Though he was born in Paris, his Moroccan heritage is an important part of his identity as a designer. Charaf Tajer’s fashion brand, Casablanca, is a testament to that. His menswear is heavily inspired by architecture and nature, and his visionary approach to design made him a 2020 finalist for the LVMH prize. His many collaborations with established labels and his entrepreneurial spirit have made him a tour de force in the world of contemporary men’s fashion. And another one of the famous Arab fashion designers to note!
Hedi Slimane
Born in Paris to a Tunisian father and an Italian mother, Hedi spent his early years making clothes with his dressmaker mother. After studying Art History at L’École du Louvre, he apprenticed as a tailor in a men’s design house. He worked for multiple well-known fashion houses, including Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior. Along with a successful career in fashion, Hedi is an accomplished photographer with multiple published books of his work.
Shaima Al Mansoori
As a self-taught designer, Shaima began her explorations in design at the age of 18. The Bahrain native founded her brand Monsoori in 2006, and just two years later was showing her work at Altaroma Fashion Week. Encouraged by her success, she enrolled in the London College of Fashion and has since gone on to dress celebrities around the world. Leona Lewis, Beyoncé, and Julia Roberts are just a few of the starlets who have rocked her designs.
Sophie Couture
Gunel Babayeva is the Azerbaijani designer and Creative Director behind Sophie Couture. Founded in 2015, the brand has become known for its elegant couture and ready-to-wear collections. Gunel learned to sew from her grandmother at a young age, developing an appreciation for creating garments. She is a mother to two daughters and promotes female power and independence in her designs. A female among famous Arab fashion designers we adore!
Georges Chakra
Having established his brand in 1985, Georges Chakras collections have graced the runways of Paris Fashion Week since the 90’s. Thus, one of the favored famous Arab designers to note without a doubt! The Beirut-based designer got his start in interior design before shifting his eye to fashion. Off the runway, his work has appeared on screen in The Devil Wears Prada and Gossip Girl, with the former bringing his label into the American zeitgeist.
Safiyaa
Founder Daniela Karnuts launched the fashion brand in 2015 with a vision for creating bespoke, feminine, timeless designs. With a focus on female confidence and empowerment, Daniela builds designs with luxurious fabrics and bold colors. Her world-famous collections range from bridal, to resort, to loungewear.
Up & Coming: Young Talent
Ziyad Buaninain
Though he was born in Saudi Arabia, Ziyad grew up in cities like Tokyo, London, Milan, and New York. These cultural influences have informed his design work, and he is especially drawn to the London fashion scene. His production practices prioritize sustainability and waste reduction, making his garments all the more valuable for their care and lack of overproduction.
Ohanna
As Creative Director and co-founder of the label, Hanna Hazem has set her sights on creating elevated women’s streetwear. Egyptian influence and modern, sophisticated elements set the brand apart when it comes to casual fashion.
Rakan
Syrian designer Rakan Shams Aldeen has been fascinated with fashion from a young age. Influenced by his mother, grandmother, and aunts, he developed an appreciation for fabric and the design process by watching them craft their own garments. He launched his brand in the US in 2018, competed on Project Runway in 2019, and has been a rising star ever since.
Zeid Hijazi
Raised in Amman, Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi incorporates past and future in his down-to-earth dystopian designs. Imbued with traditional motifs, his designs incorporate distinctive angles and silhouettes.
Reem Atout
Born in Egypt, Reem grew up in the UAE and Qatar. Her interest in embroidery sparked her love of fashion, and her first collection earned her the Cairo Design Award. Her designs stand out for their edgy blending of modern prints, creative cutouts, and nostalgic cultural elements. An up-and-coming in the world of famous Arab fashion designers for sure.
Marnissi
Designer Mohammed El Marnissi prides himself on creating genderless garments. He was born in Morocco and grew up in Belgium, pursuing an MA in fashion and apparel design from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. Middle Eastern history and Moroccan arts influence his craft, and it’s clear that he is still realizing his great potential!
Fatma Mostafa
Blending embroidery and jewelry design, Fatma creates dynamic and distinctive works of wearable art. She launched her brand in 2017 after studying painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo. Her designs earned her the 2022 Fashion Trust Arabia prize, and she has since garnered international attention and appreciation for her work.
Famous Arab Fashion Designers Curated by Love Happens Mag | Words by Bridget Kitson
Feature Image: Elie Saab Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Fashion Week in Paris on July 5, 2023 | Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images
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