As an Arab blogger, it has only been natural for me to mainly focus on Arab celebrities' fashion choices, especially when they've chosen an Arab designer to dress them, as that is not only what I gravitate towards, in terms of taste, but I feel it is important to support Arab fashion designers and talent in general. Even though language barriers don't get in the way of fashion, and many of the following designers have been able to reach international levels and recognition beyond the 'Arab World', my favourites are not based on popularity, but my personal taste, hence, it will not be everybody's preference.
These are in no particular order, except for the first two, because I couldn't possibly decide on the rest.
Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad is not only my favourite Arab Fashion Designer, he is my favourite Fashion Designer, full stop. Every season, he blesses us with his impeccable taste and designs in Haute Couture, that consistently take us to a world of fantasy through his silhouettes, colours, range of fabrics and the embroidery and embellishments that are incorporated onto the majority of his pieces, leaving me utterly mesmerised and a little emotional after viewing every collection.
Below I've put together 46 of my favourite looks from Couture collection Spring 2007 to Spring 2015, but my favourites are his Fall 2009, Spring 2011, Spring 2012 and Spring and Fall 2013... to name just a few, because I can't possibly choose a definite favourite.
(Fall 15/16 collection hadn't come out at the time I wrote this)
Below I've put together 46 of my favourite looks from Couture collection Spring 2007 to Spring 2015, but my favourites are his Fall 2009, Spring 2011, Spring 2012 and Spring and Fall 2013... to name just a few, because I can't possibly choose a definite favourite.
(Fall 15/16 collection hadn't come out at the time I wrote this)
Elie Saab
Another Lebanese King of Fashion is Elie Saab, whose distinctive designs never fail to impress, although they borderline between repeated at times, they are beautiful nonetheless. His name has become a synonym for 'class' and 'elegance' for many, and with a sprinkle of fairy dust, sequins, beads and appliques, he presents us with his dreamy designs every season.
Again, below are 45 of my favourite looks from his Couture collection Fall 2006 to Spring 2015. I feel I can safely say that my favourite collection was the Fall 2012, it was just utter perfection. Spring and Fall 2014, Spring 2011 and Spring 2012 also really stand out for me.
(Fall 15/16 and Spring 16 collections hadn't come out at the time I wrote this but I absolutely loved it, Elie Saab's was definitely my favourite)
Ziad Nakad
Even though this designer has dressed the likes of Cheryl Fernandez Versini and Nicole Scherzinger, I think Nakad deserves much more recognition and popularity for his beautiful work, and you only have to look at the slideshow below to see why.
I have only been able to find the dresses from Fall 2013 to Summer 2015, but I'm sure he has been around for a lot longer, and it is so hard to choose a favourite collection from these, as most often, designers tend to have their ups and downs, but I found that Ziad Nakad stays consistent.
I would probably say Fall 2015, for the sole reason that I have chosen more gowns out of that collection, but I really do love them equally!
I really wanted to include designers from a range of different 'Arab' countries, but it looks like most of my favourites are Lebanese, and I'm not even sorry: the Lebanese are known for their good taste, and that's just a fact.
Below are a couple of looks from the Lebanese designer's Fall 2006 collection, and then it skips to Fall 2010 all the way to most recent, Fall 2015, because those collections appeal to me much more, and I generally like the direction of which he has been going since Fall 2010. His collections just keep getting better by the season, there is not a hint of repetition in his designs, and he renews himself with every collection. He has quickly become a favourite of mine, and I think the collections that stand out for me the most have to be his Spring 2014 and of course, Fall 2015.
Abed Mahfouz
Last but certainly not least, is yet another Lebanese fashion designer!
Below is a compilation of Mahfouz's couture collections, from Spring 2007 to Spring 2015, and it is clear to see that his designs have been getting increasingly better, with Fall 14/15 collection being my definite favourite. Everything about that collection screams "perfection", from the colour palette to the silhouettes.
Thank you for reading!
Who is your favourite Arab fashion designer?
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