Loubna Khalkhali
Nowadays, fashion is an important part of the Middle East. Arab designers are making history in the international fashion world; from showcasing their new collections at the fashion weeks, to dressing Hollywood stars on the red carpets.
The fashion market is booming in the Arab world and there are more than thousands designers in the region. Let us have a closer look to a few trailblazers of the industry:
- Elie Saab
Elie Saab is born in 1964 in Lebanon and is a self-taught fashion talent. He started to design at the young age of 9, making clothes for his sisters. Subsequently, he sold his creations to the women in his neighbourhood. Elie Saab is called “The Lebanese King of Couture” and “the king of Arab fashion designers”. In 1980, he started his business and specialized in bridal couture. The bridal gowns contain Swarovski crystals, pearls, detailed embroidery, lace and gemstones.
His great expertise and talent led to international success; Elie Saab has dressed celebrities including Rihanna, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlet Johansson, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and many others.
Elegance is a statement, an attitude. Elegant women are women of character with confidence – Elie Saab
2. Rami Al Ali
Rami Al Ali is a Syrian-born (Deir ez-Zor) fashion designer. Al Ali was since childhood interested in fashion, as he was astonished by the power of style and the confidence it brings. After his graduation in 1995, he moved to the United Arab Emirates where the Rami Al Ali Couture brand was founded.
His breakthrough only came in 2009 when he showcased his spring collection at Rome’s Alta Roma fashion week. Since then, Al Ali has become a true global trendsetter with collections appearing at international fashion weeks.
3. Farida Temraz
Farida Temraz is the founder and lead designer of Temraza, an Egyptian haute-couture brand. Farida is quickly becoming an international fashion icon; she’s the first Egyptian to be awarded the Best Female Couture Designer at the 2017 New York Fashion Week, the first Egyptian to achieve first place among 15 international designers at Paris Fashion Week and the first Egyptian to successfully perform at the London Fashion Week.
Her designs are made for women, especially suited to the professional working woman.
I wanted to make sure that my collection was aligned with Egypt’s Year of Women, 2017. I created something for women who are busy executives, independent, successful and powerful. This collection is designed to celebrate women as the main pillar in any society – Farida Temraz
4. Abed Mahfouz
Abed was born on December 1st, 1956 in the arms of a modest family in Beirut, Lebanon. Surrounded with all what it takes to become a designer – fabrics, threads, scissors and foremost family members that work in tailoring, Abed decided to enter the enticing world of fashion in 1982.
In 2001, he launched his first collection, named “Al-Halimah” meaning “The Dreamer”, focusing on bridal couture. He showcased this collection at Rome’s Alta Roma fashion week where he gained international attention, since then.
5. Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad (born in 1971) is a Lebanese fashion designer who grew up in Baalbek. He always dreamt of evading to a world of fantasy as he started drawing dresses at the age of ten. In 1997, he launched his first atelier in Beirut. Murad gained international fame when he showcased his collection during the Paris Haute Couture Week. Zuhair is also a member of the Chambre syndicale de la Haute couture in Paris.
In 2014, he officially inaugurates his bridal boutique in Beirut, where his wedding dresses are sold and displayed. Two years later, he opens his first Ready-to-wear boutique at the prestigious Harrods store in London.
