Arab Designers To Watch in 2026
Discover the Arab designers shaping the fashion industry in 2026
A new generation of Arab fashion, rooted in intellect, identity, and everyday relevance, is quietly reshaping the narrative of Mena-made fashion. As the global luxury dialogue shifts towards purpose and cultural authenticity, Arab designers stand-out. These designers are not only gaining global recognition, but also forging what the future of fashion looks like.
Yasmin Mansour
Yasmin Mansour is a Qatar-based fashion designer who founded her label in 2014, and blends fashion, art, and storytelling into garments that feel like narrative sculptures rather than ephemeral collections. Built on experimentation, sustainability, and cultural reference, her work transforms materials into unique, handmade pieces that challenge luxury norms. Rooted in sustainability and craftsmanship, she has been recognised regionally and internationally, winning the Fashion Trust Arabia Eveningwear Prize and becoming a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize. Yasmin Mosnour stands out for redefining luxury with a blend of history, sustainability, and innovation.
Rami Al Ali
Syrian-born designer Rami Al Ali’s love for refined aesthetics from a young age, along with his curiosity for fine fabrics and design, resulted in the start of his fashion career in Dubai and Beirut. His brand, Rami Al Ali Couture, established in 2001, has been a quiet force within the global couture conversation, defined by precision, poetic restraint, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. His work speaks to a modern client who values meaning as much as beauty through intricate handwork, carefully sculpted silhouettes, and collections that reference art, memory, and cultural heritage. Al Ali represents a pivotal shift in how Arab couture is perceived on the world stage, with recognition on the Paris Haute Couture calendar, as one of the leaders in global fashion.
Faiza Bouguessa
Bouguessa, founded in 2014 in Dubai Design District by a French-Algerian designer, Faiza Bouguessa, has quietly become one of the most compelling voices in contemporary fashion by redefining what luxury ready-to-wear can be. Originally emerged from a desire to modernise modest fashion with clean lines, neutral palettes, and timeless silhouettes, Faiza Bouguessa is able to design pieces that are rooted in Arab culture while remaining globally relevant. Her designs are celebrated for empowering women with quiet confidence and versatility, through tailored blazers, trousers, and refined wardrobe essentials, whilst also embracing sustainability and longevity in fashion production. With its evolution from being narrowly perceived as an abaya label to a global lifestyle brand, Bouguessa is worth keeping an eye on in 2026.
Zeid Hijazi
Zeid Hijazi is a Palestinian-Jordanian designer whose cutting-edge aesthetic blends heritage with modern design. His work challenges traditional fashion norms by infusing subtle cultural narratives into ready-to-wear pieces. What captured Hijazi into a wider global view was when Rama Duwaji, the First Lady of New York City, wore one of his embroidered tops during her husband’s election-night celebration, resonating culturally and socially, showing how fashion can serve as visual storytelling and representation in one of the most visible stages.
Shahd Al Shehail
Shahd AlShehail is the founder of Abadia, a Saudi fashion brand that transcends traditional labels by blending heritage craft, modern tailoring, and ethical production into a distinctive wardrobe language. Launched in 2019, Abadia’s design philosophy centers in timeless pieces rather than fleeting trends, focusing on minimalist silhouettes that are rooted in Arabian identity yet also globally wearable. Abadia has expanded into major retail channels globally, from Net-A-Porter to Selfridges, and continues to expand its international footprint.
Iman Coccellato
Coccellato, founded by the French-Tunisian designer Iman Coccellato, is becoming one of the region’s most exciting ready-to-wear brands. The brand brings a couture-inflected precision to everyday clothing, with carefully constructed pieces from deadstock fabrics and hand-crafted details, aligning with ethical and sustainable design principles. Coccellato was a finalist in the 2025 Fashion Trust Arabia Ready-to-Wear category, moving beyond mere aesthetics and offering pieces that resonate emotionally and functionality with modern women.
Arwa Al Banawi
Arwa Al Banawi is a Saudi fashion designer and founder of the contemporary ready-to-wear brand ARWÁ, established in 2015 with a mission to create effortless, confidence-boosting clothing for ”the women on the go”. She is redefining Arab ready-to-wear on the global stage, whilst representing culture and female empowerment. The brand collaborated with global names like Adidas Originals and Levi’s, demonstrating the evolution of the brand and the growing influence beyond the region.
Yousef Akbar
Yousef Akbar is a Saudi fashion designer and creative voice who founded his brand in 2017, focusing on womenswear that plays with form, fabric, and emotion. Akbar merges technical innovation with personal storytelling, using pattern, drape, and structure to evoke emotion. His collections have attracted international attention and led to Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, and Chrissy Teigen to wear his designs, reflecting a global resonance beyond the Middle East. With sustainability at the core of the brand, and strong commitment to craftsmanship, Yousef Akbar is definitely a designer to watch this year.
