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Meet the Hottest Up-and-Coming Models in the MENA Region
From Milan to Paris, New York and beyond, these 17 Arab models have been reshaping the MENA modelling industry.
Apr 10, 2024
Over the past few years, the fashion industry across the MENA region has witnessed a creative uprising on multiple fronts. A surge of up-and-coming Arab models is now commanding international runways with effortless flair, walking for luxury fashion powerhouses and fronting numerous advertising campaigns for renowned global brands.
From Milan, Paris and London to New York and beyond, these up-and-coming Arab models are now initiating a dialogue of cultural diversity and Arab inclusivity on runways, challenging the Euro-centric beauty standards intricately rooted within the modelling world and reshaping the face of the regional fashion industry one show at a time.
Lana Albeik | Palestine/Syria
For Lana, a young Palestinian-Syrian talent who worked with major industry players like Elle, Vogue and Burberry, modelling just came naturally, propelling her to become one of the most recognizable faces in the regional and global fashion industry. With deep-rooted pride in her Middle Eastern heritage and passion for storytelling, which she has been adeptly expressing through modelling, the Dubai-based model offers a unique perspective on the intersection of tradition and modernity within the modelling world. Earlier this year, Lana was featured in a campaign for the prestigious American brand, Calvin Klein.
Habiba El Kobrossy | Egypt
In the early stages of her modelling career, Habiba El Kobrossy, a Taekwondo athlete, signed to multiple labels across Egypt, France, and the UAE. As part of her continued participation in evolving the modelling industry within the region, El Kobrossy strutted down the runway of Michael Cinco’s debut show in North Coast, exuding elegance, power and glamour.
Youssef Sharaf | Egypt
Following his Dior Men Pre-Fall ‘23 show’s debut - which took place in front of the Great Grand Pyramids of Giza in 2022 _ the Egyptian model, who is signed to three modelling agencies across France, Italy and Egypt, has been taking over global runways from Milan to Paris and New York. This year alone, the up-and-coming model fronted Dior Denim Tears’s advertising campaign and strutted down Bottega Veneta’s SS ‘24 runway show at Milan Fashion Week.
Amira Al Zuhair | Saudi Arabia
Managed by Elite, one of the world’s most prestigious modelling agencies featuring international supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kendall Jenner, Amria has graced the catwalks of renowned luxury fashion houses the likes of Giorgio Armani, Giambattista Valli, and Georges Hobeika. This year has witnessed the French-Saudi model taking over Paris Fashion Week, from opening to Balmain to walking the Maison de l’Amerique Latine runway adorned in futuristic silhouettes, courtesy of Tokyo-based brand, Yohji Yamamoto.
Qaher Harhash | Palestine
Despite facing difficulties making a name in the fashion industry in his hometown of Jerusalem, Qaher’s modelling career – proved embryonic by nature – took off when he moved to Berlin. After signing with the prestigious modelling company, Iconic Management, the rising Palestinian model was featured in fashion powerhouses like Versace, Diesel and Hugo Boss.
Ikram Abadi | Somalia
Since her runway debut at Valentino’s SS19 couture show, the Somali-Dutch hijabi model has been redefining what it means to be a fashion model and destigmatizing the narrative surrounding hijabi women on show and editorial at a time. Abadi, who was discovered by a scout from Next Management after posting images of her makeup artistry on social media, is now bringing global designers' fantasies to life. In addition to fronting Vogue Arabia’s cover multiple times, Ikram Abadi has also worked with Versace Beauty and Tom Ford.
Malika El Maslouhi | Moroccan
At NYFW for Spring 2020, where she walked for renowned fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Tory Burch and Oscar de la Renta, the Moroccan-Italian model Malika El Maslouhi was named by American Vogue as one of the best performers. Signed with prominent agencies in London, Paris and Barcelona, Malika is now one of the most sought-after international models, with a portfolio boasting various international fashion houses. This season alone, the Moroccan-Italian model walked for Chanel Resort ‘24 show in LA, starring in a range of global campaigns and fronted the October cover of Vogue France magazine, and she is not stopping anytime soon.
Nour Rizk | Lebanon
Scouted on a London summer vacation with her family in 2016, Nour started full-time modelling at the age of 18. Following her runway debut in Paris for Alexander McQueen, the Lebanese model was featured in a Loewe perfume global campaign and on the cover of Vogue France. Last month saw Nour Rizk bringing her versatile, polished and bold persona to London Fashion Week, as she strutted down Richard Quinn and David Koma SS ‘24 womenswear shows.
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