Middle Eastern women are now taking the world of business, tech, and other sectors by storm as many are now raising the stakes for the role of females in the region.
Forbes Middle East’s list of 30 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands featured successful brands by women from six countries in the Middle East.
Among them, 7 Lebanese women were highlighted with their successful brands in the world.
#1 Andrea Wazen
The Lebanese shoe designer, Andrea Wazen, trained with the likes of Rupert Sanderson and Christian Louboutin after going to the U.K. in 2010.
Her shoes were worn by well-known celebrities, including U.S. singers Beyonce and Dua Lipa, and Internet personality Kylie Jenner.
According to Forbes, the brand is now present across Europe and the U.S with online and store options.
#2 Gemy Maalouf
Gemy Maalouf opened her fashion atelier in Beirut in 1996. Her namesake brand is now present across 48 countries, with 150 brand boutiques.
Her brand has dressed celebrities across countries, including Egyptian actresses Arwa Gouda and Yousra.
In 2021, her company launched an e-shop to sell and repurpose older pieces, which items were spotted on Lady Gaga, Haifa Wehbe, Iggy Azalea, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, and Gwen Stefani.
#3 Sandra Mansour
Since 2010, Sandra Mansour has been creating ready-to-wear and bridal wear items. The brand is present in nine countries, namely, Lebanon, the U.A.E., Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Switzerland, the U.K., Italy, and China, and in countries where H&M has its stores.
Mansour’s designs were worn by well-celebrated figures like Gigi Hadid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexandra De Hanovre, Princess Ekaterina, Ellie Goulding, and Lady Gaga.
#4 Maha Morley-Kirk
Maha Morley-Kirk established Fifteen Make Up & Beauty in 2015. Her brand develops two eco-friendly eyelash brands: vegan eyelashes Pinky Goat and recycled Eyecha Lashes.
The Pinky Goat lashes are now sold at over 3,000 points of sale worldwide. Additionally, the Eyecha Lashes, which were launched in 2021, are now sold at over 2,000 points of sale.
Her two brands are planning to expand over 10,000 locations by 2023.
#5 Sarah Beydoun
Sarah Beydoun is the owner and creative director of Sarah’s Bag, established in 2000.
Sarah’s handmade designs were spotted in the hands of Beyonce, Amal Clooney, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Nadine Labaki, among others.
The brand also collaborated with Mastercard to support female-owned small businesses at Expo 2020.
#6 Dima and Tania Nawbar
Dima and Tania Nawbar have inherited the art of jewelry making from their family.
Their “L’Atelier Nawbar” sells in the U.S., France, the U.K, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Morocco, Kuwait, the U.A.E., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon, online and in high-end stores.
Their designs have been worn by a long list of celebrities, including Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Halle Berry, Carla Haddad, and Camila Cabello.
Related: Two Lebanese Featured On Forbes’ Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands 2022.
