Meet The Arab Talents Announced in the BoF 500

Bazaar Arabia celebrates Arab visionaries reshaping the global fashion landscape through innovation and influence

The fashion and cultural worlds are constantly evolving, and the latest edition of the Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 list highlights a clutch of Arab creatives and entrepreneurs making their mark on the global stage. From visionary founders reshaping youth culture to innovative designers redefining regional style, these individuals are not only amplifying Arab voices but also bridging local identity with international influence. Their diverse talents cover media, fashion, film, and retail, showcasing the vibrant and fast-growing creative scene across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

Bazaar Arabia takes a closer look at four standout figures— Tara Emad, Ahmed Hassan, Sofia Guellaty and Adnan Houdrouge—whose work and vision have earned them well-deserved places among the world’s most influential fashion insiders.

Tara Emad

Egypt

Tara Emad is a model, actress, and cultural figure whose influence spans fashion, film, and social media across the Middle East and North Africa. Born in Cairo and holding dual Egyptian-Montenegrin citizenship, she began her modeling career at just 14 and has since graced numerous covers, including Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. In 2022, she made history as Chanel’s first fragrance and beauty ambassador for the Middle East, and also joined Cartier as a regional ambassador, cementing her role as a bridge between global luxury and Arab identity. With a social media following in the millions, Emad connects with a wide audience drawn to her distinctive style.

In parallel with her modeling success, Emad has built a growing career in Arab cinema and television. She first gained widespread recognition for her performance in the 2014 drama Saheb El Saa’da, and later starred as Laila Radwan in Suits Be Al Arabi, the Arabic adaptation of the hit legal series. By 2025, she had taken on a leading role in the Arabic-language Netflix comedy Catalog. A regular face at major regional film festivals, she continues to use her platform to advocate for greater Arab representation on the international stage, bringing both visibility and nuance to the region’s evolving creative landscape.

Ahmed Hassan

Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Hassan is the creative director and co-founder of KML, a Riyadh-based menswear label launched in 2022 alongside his sister, Razan Hassan. Blending cultural heritage with a modern, spiritual edge, he has crafted a brand that redefines Saudi menswear by merging traditional silhouettes with minimalist tailoring and fluid, sculptural forms. KML has quickly emerged as a rising force in the Gulf’s fashion scene, earning international recognition and retail placement abroad.

Though he originally trained as an architect, Ahmed’s transition into fashion brought a structural precision to his designs, influenced by his experience at Zaha Hadid Architects. Razan, with a background in law, supports the label’s growth with a strategic business lens. Backed by key regional initiatives and having shown collections in Paris, Milan, and Riyadh, KML stands at the forefront of a new wave of Saudi design, challenging norms while staying rooted in identity.

Sofia Guellaty

Tunisia

Sofia Guellaty is the founder and creative force behind Mille World, a digital platform that captures the pulse of Arab youth culture through a fresh and fearless lens. Since launching the Dubai-based magazine in 2017, she has transformed it into a dynamic cultural hub that explores the intersections of art, fashion, music, beauty, and travel across the Middle East and North Africa. Known for its bold storytelling and inclusive voice, Mille offers a platform for underrepresented perspectives, publishing content in both Arabic and English to engage a new generation of readers.

Guellaty’s work extends beyond publishing—she leads Mille Creative, a marketing and creative agency with offices in Dubai and Riyadh, and sits on the board of Fashion Trust Arabia, supporting regional talent. A Tunisian native who began her media career in Paris, she brings a global sensibility and unapologetically original point of view to everything she does, from highlighting Libyan streetwear to celebrating the underground music scenes of Palestine and beyond.

Adnan Houdrouge

Lebanon

Adnan Houdrouge is the founder and president of Mercure International, a Monaco-based retail and distribution company with a strong presence across francophone Africa. Born in Dakar to a Lebanese merchant family, Houdrouge began his career working in his family’s store, Week End Sport. He gained early recognition in 1972 when he secured a deal to outfit the Senegalese Olympic team with Adidas gear, helping to establish important connections with global sportswear brands.

Over the years, Houdrouge expanded his business beyond Senegal, moving into France in 1980 and several African countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1986, he officially founded Mercure International, which has grown into a major retail network with over 250 stores by 2025. The company operates standalone stores for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, and Aldo, as well as multi-brand outlets such as City Sport, Courir, and Go Sport, which carry popular international names including Nike, Puma, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Asics, and Guess.

Today, Houdrouge leads Mercure International alongside his children, Johanna and Cédric, continuing to build the company’s role as a key gateway for global fashion and sportswear brands across the African continent.

Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram/ @taraemad