Four Arab figures join the 2026 Business of Fashion 500 list
The 2026 Business of Fashion 500 added four people from the Arab world: Shahd Al-Shehail, Zainab Alabdulrazzaq, Sarah Hermez and Yasmina El Abd. The index now has 1,713 people from 104 nationalities.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Four people from the Arab world have joined the 2026 edition of the Business of Fashion 500, the annual index of people shaping the global fashion industry. The NationalN “Four new names from the Arab world join the list this year” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “is among the Arab figures recognized in the 2026 Business of Fashion 500” Read at Arab News ↗ Right · 1They are Saudi designer Shahd Al-Shehail, Kuwaiti entrepreneur Zainab Alabdulrazzaq, Lebanese fashion educator Sarah Hermez and Egyptian actress and singer Yasmina El Abd. Arab NewsRC “joins Kuwaiti entrepreneur Zainab Alabdulrazzaq, Lebanese fashion educator Sarah Hermez and Egyptian actress and singer Yasmina El-Abd” Read at Arab News ↗ Mixed · 2The list has run since 2013 and now comprises 1,713 people representing 104 nationalities; selection draws on nominations from existing members, industry intelligence and research by BoF's editorial team. The NationalN “The index now comprises 1,713 people representing 104 nationalities.” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “The 2026 selections were made through nominations from existing members, alongside research by BoF’s editorial team.” Read at Arab News ↗
Mixed · 2Al-Shehail founded the ethical fashion house Abadia in 2019, which in 2021 became the first Saudi label to join Net-a-Porter; Arab News reported she attended the BoF 500 Gala in Paris on Saturday night during Paris Fashion Week. The NationalN “In 2021, Abadia became the first Saudi label to join Net-a-Porter” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “she was on hand in Paris on Saturday night to celebrate at the BoF 500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week” Read at Arab News ↗ Mixed · 2Alabdulrazzaq founded the fashion portal 3oud.com in 2015; Hermez founded Creative Space in Beirut in 2011 after studying at Parsons, offering free fashion education to disadvantaged students. The NationalN “founded 3oud.com in 2015 as a fashion portal and digital media platform” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “founded Creative Space in Beirut in 2011 after studying at Parsons” Read at Arab News ↗ Mixed · 2El Abd began acting at nine, works in Arabic, English and French, is known for roles in Finding Ola and Theodosia, and was named a regional and global Dior ambassador for beauty, fashion and jewellery in early 2026. The NationalN “In early 2026, she was named a regional and global brand ambassador for Dior across beauty, fashion and jewellery.” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “El-Abd, who began acting at nine, has built a career spanning Arabic, English and French-language productions.” Read at Arab News ↗
Mixed · 2Imran Amed, BoF's founder and chief executive, said the list is a reminder of fashion's openness, calling it a community of people from every corner of the world and industry; both outlets say the additions reflect a shift of influence beyond Paris, Milan, London and New York. The NationalN ““At a moment when the world is focused on borders, fashion's strength remains its openness,” says Imran Amed” Read at The National ↗ Arab NewsRC “increasingly looking beyond its traditional centers in Paris, Milan, London and New York” Read at Arab News ↗ Centre · 1The National also lists other new entrants, including designers Dario Vitale and Julie Kegels, actress Teyana Taylor, actor Connor Storrie and athletes Naomi Osaka, Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu. The NationalN “including designers Dario Vitale and Julie Kegels, actress Teyana Taylor, actor Connor Storrie” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A magazine-style roundup of the Arab entrants set within fashion's shifting centre of gravity, also naming international newcomers.
- Emphasis
- Profiles of all four Arab names and the wider 2026 class, with Imran Amed's quote on openness.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Paris gala.
- Charged language
- “centre of gravity is shifting”
- For example
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“Fashion’s centre of gravity is shifting, and the latest edition of the Business of Fashion 500 list offers another measure of where influence now lies.” — The National
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with Saudi designer Al-Shehail attending the BoF 500 Gala in Paris, then covers the other three Arab honourees.
- Emphasis
- The Saudi angle and the gala; background on Amed and BoF's founding.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not name the non-Arab entrants.
- Charged language
- “growing influence of the Middle East’s fashion and creative industries”
- For example
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“Their inclusion reflects the growing influence of the Middle East’s fashion and creative industries on the international stage.” — Arab News
What every side reports
- Four Arab figures joined the 2026 BoF 500: Shahd Al-Shehail, Zainab Alabdulrazzaq, Sarah Hermez and Yasmina El Abd.
- The index now has 1,713 people from 104 nationalities.
- Selection is via nominations from existing members plus BoF editorial research.
- Abadia became the first Saudi label on Net-a-Porter in 2021.
Business of Fashion organisation
Founder and CEO Imran Amed frames the list as a reminder of fashion's openness and a snapshot of how the fashion system is changing.
“providing an annual snapshot of how the fashion system — and worlds it intersects with — is changing.” — Arab News
Shahd Al-Shehail person
Recognised as a new entrant, she attended the BoF 500 Gala in Paris; her label Abadia is presented as rooted in Saudi heritage.
“founder of Saudi fashion label Abadia” — Arab News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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From Yasmina El Abd to Shahd AlShehail, the Arab names joining Business of Fashion 500
Celebratory Presents the Arab additions as evidence of fashion's diffusing power base.
Right1 article
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Shahd Al-Shehail attends BoF 500 Gala in Paris
Celebratory Event-led piece centred on Al-Shehail's gala appearance and the region's rising influence.
- 2 Oct 10:00 First The NationalN From Yasmina El Abd to Shahd AlShehail, the Arab names joining Business of Fashion 500
- 4 Oct 09:36 +47h 36m Arab NewsRC Shahd Al-Shehail attends BoF 500 Gala in Paris
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.