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Lebanese dominate Forbes' inaugural 'The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators' list

Alongside 22 Lebanese, the list features six Egyptians and three Saudis, as well as a dozen talents from Syria, Iraq and other Arab countries, many of them based in the UAE.

Lebanese dominate Forbes' inaugural 'The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators' list

Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab and Tony Ward all made the first "The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators" published by Forbes. (Photos from Instagram page @forbesmiddleeast/Montage Jaimee Haddad)

They're everywhere! Lebanese designers never cease to amaze, coming from such a small, complicated country, with their almost innate sense of fashion and luxury. The American magazine Forbes has unveiled its "The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators" list for the first time. Unsurprisingly, Lebanese dominate the list, with 22 designers named. They are joined by six Egyptians and three Saudis, as well as a dozen talents from Syria, Iraq and other Arab countries, most of them based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Particular attention has been paid to those who celebrate Arab heritage and culture, as well as those who champion slow fashion and recycling techniques," the Forbes editorial team explains, adding that "Lebanon and the UAE are home to the most fashion brands, with 15 and 14 houses in each country, respectively."

A love of fashion and luxury design

Among the Lebanese designers named are Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Reem Acra, Tony Ward, Georges Chakra, Ziad Nakad, Nicolas Gebran, Rabih Kayrouz, Rami Kadi and Sélim Mouzannar, Jean-Louis Sabaji, Georges Azzi and Assaad Osta, Sandra Mansour, Nadine Kanso, Adnan Mhaidly, Nemer Saade, Jean-Pierre Khoury, Nathalie Trad, Sabrina Mouhieddine, Eric Mathieu Ritter and Lama Jouni. Only three jewellery designers, including Lebanese designers Selim Mouzannar and Nadine Kanso, and Egyptian designer Azza Fahmy, made the list.

‘The Middle East is well known for its love of luxury fashion and design, and while the region is a great market for designers from all over the world, its own talent is also asserting itself and being recognized on international catwalks,’ says Forbes in its presentation of this list, adding that "several designers from the region showcase their talent at international events, such as Paris Fashion Week, where Elie Saab, Tony Ward and Rami al-Ali are among the designers presenting their collections." The editors also point out that "Dubai Fashion Week has become a major fixture on the global calendar, joining Paris, New York, London and Milan."

Justifying its choice, Forbes adds that the 40 fashion designers selected "have strengthened the region's presence in the global industry."

"These designers are internationally renowned and have walked the most prestigious red carpets. Particular attention was paid to those who celebrate Arab heritage and culture, as well as those who champion ‘slow fashion’ and recycling techniques," the publication goes on to say. Following on from this, Forbes presents a complementary list of "five Middle Eastern designers who are making waves" and "five fashion business leaders" who "support the industry and its emerging talent."


This article was originally published in French on L'Orient-Le Jour.

They're everywhere! Lebanese designers never cease to amaze, coming from such a small, complicated country, with their almost innate sense of fashion and luxury. The American magazine Forbes has unveiled its "The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators" list for the first time. Unsurprisingly, Lebanese dominate the list, with 22 designers named. They are joined by six Egyptians and three Saudis, as...