Lebanese women top the Forbes list of women behind the brands in the Middle East 2020
Karen Wazzan glasses.
From the source
Jihan Alama and her husband Ragheb.
From the source
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Forbes magazine's list, titled “Women Behind Brands in the Middle East 2020,” included 40 creative women who were able to resist the conditions of Corona, preserve their brands, and overcame boundaries despite the difficulties.
The list highlighted in particular the Lebanese women, who have persevered and innovated despite being affected by the economic crisis that has loomed over the country since last year and that sparked the October 17th revolution.
Among all the remarkable women on Forbes' list, Lebanese women topped the list with the most entries from any other participating country.
Also, women of Lebanese origin topped the list as follows:
Reem Acra:
Lebanese-American designer Reem Acra ranked second on the Forbes list, establishing her brand in New York in 1997. After more than two decades, her brand has become a symbol of success.
Her designs have sparkled the red carpet on numerous occasions, and have been worn by famous Hollywood figures, including actresses Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé.
Nada Ghazal:
In the jewelry category, Nada Ghazal runs a private business that ranked 5th on the Forbes list.
It launched for the first time under the name "Nada J" in 2003, but last year it changed the trademark to the name "Nada Ghazal Jewelry".
Among her many clients are celebrities such as Olivia Palermo, Miley Cyrus, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nancy Ajram and Wael Kfoury.
Jamie Maalouf:
From her start in Beirut in 1996, Maalouf's presence in the fashion world expanded to reach the fashion capitals such as Milan, Paris and New York.
According to Forbes, Jimmy Maalouf's designs are popular "in 48 different countries around the world, and the brand has more than 150 stores."
Many American celebrities wore her designs, such as Lady Gaga, Keisha, Helen Segara and Carmen Electra.
Andrea Wazen:
After training under shoe design experts like Robert Sanderson and Christian Louboutin, Wazen started her footwear brand in 2013.
Her trendy shoe designs have been seen on many celebrities, including Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Hailey Bieber, Emilia Clarke, Demi Lovato and Demi Moore.
She set off from Beirut where her designs are also produced, where she contributes to supporting the local standard of living, but unfortunately, she was one of many designers whose stores, workshops or homes were affected by the explosion.
Sandra Mansour:
In 2010, Mansour launched her own fashion brand after working with famous Lebanese designer Elie Saab.
Today, her ready-to-wear designs are spread all over the world and are well received by celebrities.
Lady Gaga and Gigi Hadid wore her designs.
After the August 4 blast, and despite being an influenced designer, she managed to release a brand new collection in collaboration with H&M.
Nadine Kanso:
UAE resident
Nadine Kanso
launched her jewelery line "Pal Arabi" in 2006.
It has collaborated with big names in the industry such as Gossi, Louis Foton, Christoffel, Bernardode and Maserati.
Celebrities such as Zaha Hadid, Kim Kardashian, Yousra, Kylie Minogue, Loeb Fiasco and Dita Von Teese wore her designs.
Emma Boutros:
Emma Boutros is the founder and creative director of luxury footwear brand Poise Design.
Launched in 2010, her unique designs have been worn by celebrities such as Cardi B, Aishwarya Rai, Kelly Rowland, and many more, including many local influencers such as Alice Abdel Aziz, Daniela Debbies, Jessica Kahawaty and Nour Arida.
Maha Morley Kirk and Ellie Hardy: Morley Kirk and Hardy
both started small but with big vision, and created their own beauty brand, Pinky Goat, in 2015.
Just a year after starting a small activity, Pinky Goat's lashes quickly gained traction.
“Today it can be found in more than 2,500 stores, and has sold over a million products.
Karen Wazen: Karen Wazen
has become one of the most well-known influencers in the region and launched her eyewear brand in 2018.
Their sunglasses are sold on some of the biggest luxury fashion online platforms, such as Farvitch, Harvey Nicholas and Moda Oberandy.
Cihan Mark:
Cihan launched its jewelry brand for the first time, Jehan, in 2005 in Downtown Beirut.
Years later, the brand grew and gained fame among celebs such as Katy Perry and Miranda Lambert.
She is the wife of the Lebanese artist Ragheb Alama.
Sarah Baydoun:
For more than 20 years, Sarah Baydoun created a collection of signature handbags, Sarah's Bag.
The Lebanon-based businesswoman gained attention when Beyoncé wore one of her designs to the Global Citizen Festival in 2018.
Beidoun provides fair opportunities for those in need, as she recruits and trains male and female prisoners, as well as underprivileged women, to work on adding designs to their handbags.
Additionally, since the start of the pandemic, Sarah's Bag has been donating food boxes to families in need with every purchase online.
Tarfa Itani:
In 2006, two award-winning designer Tarfa Itani created her jewelry design house, Flamank.
Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Dima Sadiq, Reem Acra and even Queen Rania of Jordan have worn her designs.
Itani also contributed to rebuilding Beirut, with a percentage of its sales.
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