6 Female Regional Entrepreneurs That Should Be On Your Radar
In honour of International Women’s Day 2022, Bazaar Arabia looks at six women who are shattering ceilings and breaking down barriers.
In the words of the first female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction” – and these women are showing us exactly how it is done.
From a beauty mogul, to a shoemaker, and an e-commerce entrepreneur, these six leading ladies are each the queens of their own, self-made empires. And we applaud them.
Reem Acra
This Lebanese designer is a true grassroots success story. She was discovered by a fashion editor while wearing one of her own designs (made out of her mother’s tablecloth no less!). She launched her eponymous label of bridal couture in 1997, before branching out into ready-to-wear in 2001. Her roster of high profile clients to date includes Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Syndey Sweeney and Beyoncé.
For more information, please visit reemacra.com
Huda Kattan
Huda Kattan is the founder of wildly successful Dubai-based makeup brand, Huda Beauty. The Iraqi-American beauty mogul – who now has 2.4 million Instagram followers (her brand page has 50 million) – got her start working as a makeup artist for Revlon. With encouragement from her sister, she started a beauty blog, titled “Huda Beauty.” Her breakthrough product was a set of false eyelashes, which Sephora swiftly picked up. Kim Kardashian was then seen wearing them and the rest is history….
For more information, please visit hudabeauty.com
Ingie Chalhoub
A formidable force to be reckoned with, Ingie Chalbhoub, the President and Managing Director of Etoile Group, is credited with revolutionizing the luxury retail landscape of the Middle East. Etoile Group has partnered with internationally renowned luxury brands including Chanel, Tod’s and Aquazzura. Her vision and savvy business acumen allowed her to launch her own fashion label, INGIE Paris, in 2009, which blends classic French elegance with Middle Eastern glamour. INGIE Paris has a boutique in The Dubai Mall.
For more information, please visit etoilelaboutique.com and ingieparis.com
Mona Ataya
Mona Ataya is a trailblazer entrepreneur whose Dubai-based start up is now the leading online retailer for motherhood and children’s products in the region. Her website, titled Mumzworld, has single-handedly revolutionised the online retail space for all things childcare by making it accessible, informative and affordable. Last June, Bloomberg announced that Mumzworld would be acquired by Tamer Group, a Saudi Arabian company – underscoring that this was the first female lead e-commerce acquisition in the Middle East.
For more information, please visit mumzworld.com
Amina Muaddi
The Romanian-born designer has basically become a household name among fashion enthusiasts. Her Begum glass slipper has been memorialized by shoe-lovers the world over. Her pumps have been worn by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, and Rihanna – who is one of her most ardent supporters. Amina attributes her success to her mother’s strength, and the sacrifices she made while Amina was growing up to ensure her daughter would have a bright future pursuing her passion.
For more information, please visit aminamuaddi.com
Sarah Beydoun
Sarah is the founder and designer of her own luxury handbag brand, Sarah’s Bag. Through her label, she has introduced the finest of Lebanese savoir-faire into the mainstream fashion market. Inspired by Lebanese pop-art from the 60s and 70s the handmade bags are also infused with a twist of Arabian glamour. Sarah initially launched the brand to help employ female ex-convicts, with the hope that helping them re-enter the workforce would contribute to the empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalised women.
For more information, please visit sarahsbag.com
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@aminamuaddi/@huda