Over the years, Lebanese designers have been the epitome of talent, designing and dressing the most influential celebrities and public figures in the world.
Their influence is mostly present in the Middle East region, which according to Forbes, is mostly known for "its love of luxury fashion and design, and while the region is a big market for designers from around the world, its homegrown talent is also stepping up and being recognized on the global runway."
Recently, Forbes shared “The Middle East’s Fashion Innovators” list, showcasing several of the area’s designers and featuring their talents at major fashion events, such as Paris Fashion Week and Dubai Fashion Week, which has become significant on the global stage.
The list, which includes 40 fashion designers, saw Lebanese designers dominating with 22 entries. Meanwhile, Lebanon and the UAE "are home to the most fashion brands, with 15 and 14 houses in each country, respectively."
So, who are the Lebanese entries featured on the Forbes Middle East list:
Elie Saab
Brand: ELIE SAAB
Establishment: 1982
Headquarters: Lebanon / France
Nationality: Lebanese
Zuhair Murad
Brand: ZUHAIR MURAD
Establishment: 1997
Headquarters: Lebanon / France
Nationality: Lebanese
Reem Acra
Brand: Reem Acra
Establishment: 1997
Headquarters: US
Nationality: Lebanese-American
Tony Ward
Brand: Tony Ward
Establishment: 1952
Headquarters: Lebanon / France
Nationality: Lebanese-Italian
Georges Chakra
Brand: Georges Chakra
Establishment: 1985
Headquarters: Lebanon / France
Nationality: Lebanese
Ziad Nakad
Brand: Ziad Nakad
Establishment: 1997
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
Nicolas Jebran
Brand: Nicolas Jebran
Establishment: 2002
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
Rabih Kayrouz
Brand: Maison Rabih Kayrouz
Establishment: 1998
Headquarters: France
Nationality: Lebanese-French
Rami Kadi
Brand: Rami Kadi Maison de Couture
Establishment: 2011
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese-American
Selim Mouzannar
Brand: Selim Mouzannar
Establishment: 1993
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese-French
Jean-Louis Sabaji
Brand: Jean-Louis Sabaji
Establishment: 2012
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
George Azzi & Assaad Osta
Brand: AZZI & OSTA
Establishment: 2010
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
Sandra Mansour
Brand: Sandra Mansour
Establishment: 2010
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese-French
Nadine Kanso
Brand: Bil Arabi
Establishment: 2006
Headquarters: UAE
Nationality: Lebanese-Canadian
Adnan Mhaidly
Brand: Adenfashion
Establishment: 2006
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
Nemer Saadé
Brand: NEMER SAADÉ
Establishment: 2004
Headquarters: Lebanon / UAE
Nationality: Lebanese
Jean Pierre Khoury
Brand: JEAN PIERRE KHOURY
Establishment: 2019
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese
Nathalie Trad
Brand: NATHALIE TRAD
Establishment: 2013
Headquarters: UAE
Nationality: Lebanese
Sabrina Mouhieddine
Brand: Lili Blanc
Establishment: 2020
Headquarters: UAE
Nationality: Lebanese
Eric Mathieu Ritter
Brand: Emergency Room; Overworked
Establishment: 2018; 2021
Headquarters: Lebanon
Nationality: Lebanese-French
Lama Jouni
Brand: LAMA JOUNI
Establishment: 2015
Headquarters: UAE
Nationality: Lebanese