Nowadays, fashion is such an important part of the Middle East
Arab designers are making world history in the international fashion world; from showcasing their new collections at the fashion weeks, to dressing hollywood stars on the red carpet
1. Elie Saab
Elie Saab is born in 1964 in Lebanon and is a self taught fashion talent. He firstly started to design at the very young age of 9, making his clothes for his younger 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 different types of Swarovski crystals, pearls, detailed embroidery, lace and gemstones.
His great expertise and talent led to international success; He’s dressed several celebrities including Rihanna, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlet Johansson, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, and many others.
2. Rami Al Ali
Rami Al Ali is a Syrian Born Fashion Designer. Al Ali was interested in fashion ever since he was a child, 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 Couture Fashion week. This was the first time Rami Al Ali engaged professionally with the European fashion media, and was the first Dubai based Arab designer to be part of six consecutive shows taking place during this prestigious fashion week. His success was only further cemented by being named as one of the top 50 most influential Arabs by “The middle east magazine” further fashion shoots with high-profile celebrities extended Rami Al Alis notoriety, with his designs being sought after by celebrities and socialites alike, adoring the likes of famous celebrities like: Beyonce, Kelly rowland, Jennifer Lopez, Kerry Washington, Chanel Iman, Carla Gugino, Isabeli Fontana, Aishwarya Rai, Vanessa Rae, Youssra, and Googoosh, amongst others. In January of 2012 Rami Al Ali debuted at the couture fashion week alongside international designers such as Elie Saab, Chanel, Valentino, Dior.
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 to achieve first place amongst 15 international fashion designers at Paris Fashion Week and the first egyptian to successfully perform at the London Fashion Week
“I wanted to make sure that my collection was Aligned with egypts year of fashion 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 says Farida Temraz”
4. Abed Mahfouz
Abed was born on December 1st, 1956, in the arms of a very modest family in Beirut, Lebanon.
Surrounded with all what it takes to become a designer, fabrics, threads, scissors, and foremost family that works in tailoring, Mahfouz first opened his first bridal boutique in 1985 with his sister in Beirut Lebanon. After the success of what was known was a tailoring workshop, Mahfouz started designing and drawing semi- completed couture collections in April 1990. June 1999 was the designers first fashion show in which he showcased a complete collection of wedding gowns at the Royal plaza hotel. The official launch of his Abed Mahfouz Bridal Line “dreamer” was during the Spring/ Summer fashion season in 2001. The line had launched through a fashion show at the Phoenicia Intercontinental. The brands first major turning point was the official launch of the Abed Mahfouz Couture Line during the Atla Roma Fashion week in Rome, Italy October 2002, ever since then he has launched another “Ready to wear” collection during New York Fashion week.
5. Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad (born in 1971) is a Lebanese fashion designer who grew up in Baalbek. He always dreamt of evading of a world of fantasy as he started drawing dresses at the age of ten.
In 1999, Murad made his appearance on the catwalks of Rome with an acclaimed collection that led to his participation in the Italian calendar. In 1995 Murad had officially opened his first head shop in Beirut. His extensive lines encompass haute couture, ready- to-wear and accessories. Various big name celebrities such as; Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Ivana Trump, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Katy Perry, Vanessa Williams have been seen wearing his pieces
