BoF 500 Added Four Figures from the Arab World
The influential global index has expanded to include new leaders representing the Middle East's growing creative influence.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Fashion
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The Business of Fashion has added four individuals from the Arab world to its annual BoF 500 index. This inclusion reflects the region's rising status in global fashion, culture, and creative enterprise.
Why it matters
The index expansion highlights the growing role of the Middle East in shaping the global fashion industry. It recognizes specific contributions to fashion education, regional retail, and luxury branding.
The BoF 500 index currently comprises 1,713 people. The selection process utilizes nominations from existing members, industry intelligence, and editorial research.
The players
Shahd AlShehail
She is the founder of the Saudi fashion label Abadia, which became the first from the kingdom to join Net-a-Porter in 2021.
Zainab Alabdulrazzaq
She founded the fashion portal 3oud.com in 2015 to serve as a digital hub for regional trends.
Sarah Hermez
She founded the Beirut-based initiative Creative Space, which provides free fashion education to disadvantaged students.
Yasmina El Abd
She was named a brand ambassador for Dior in early 2026, marking a significant milestone in her fashion career.
The details
New additions to the index include entrepreneurs and brand ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Egypt. These figures have founded notable labels like Abadia, launched portals like 3oud.com, and led social impact initiatives such as Creative Space.
Timeline
2011: Sarah Hermez founded Creative Space in Beirut.
2013: The annual BoF 500 index began tracking fashion figures.
2015: Zainab Alabdulrazzaq founded 3oud.com.
2019: Shahd AlShehail founded Abadia.
2026: The BoF 500 list added four new Arab figures.
Culture Shift
The expansion of the BoF 500 index to include more regional leaders signals a transition away from Western-centric fashion recognition. This update follows a documented trend from the BoF 500 index's growth to 1,713 members, which now aims to capture a more diverse range of global perspectives.
The recognition of these regional figures provides consumers with greater visibility into brands and educational initiatives originating from the Arab world. Readers can expect increased awareness of these labels as they gain prominence on the international stage.
The takeaway
The increasing diversity of the BoF 500 reflects a broader shift toward a truly globalized fashion industry. Readers should look for more cross-cultural collaborations as these emerging markets continue to gain influence.
Further reading
Discover more about the evolving landscape of global style in our Fashion section.
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Is the global influence of the fashion industry becoming more diverse and equitable?
