Each year, The Business of Fashion releases its BoF 500, a list of the people it believes are shaping the industry's future. More than just a roll call of familiar names, the list has become a snapshot of how influence in fashion is evolving.
As fashion moves away from its traditional power centres in Paris, Milan, London and New York, the BoF 500 has increasingly highlighted talent from a broader range of countries. That shift is reflected in this year’s edition.
“This is our most global group of industry shapers yet,” says Imran Amed, BoF’s founder and chief executive. “With new entrants from Montenegro, Mongolia, Cameroon and Panama, it underscores how fashion’s centre of gravity continues to shift eastwards and southwards.”
The Arab world is also making its mark. Below, we highlight the most notable new entries from the region.
Tara Emad
Egyptian actress and model Tara Emad earns her place on the list for a body of work that has steadily expanded her influence across the region. She drew wide recognition for her role in the Arabic adaptation of Suits, as well as standout performances in the 2018 thriller Diamond Dust and the box office smash The Blue Elephant 2 in 2019. Beginning her career as a model before moving into acting, Emad has built a reputation for versatility and charisma on screen. In 2022, she became the first Middle Eastern woman to be named as an ambassador for Chanel Beauty, which cemented her position as one of the region’s most visible and boundary-pushing talents.
Ahmed Hassan
Ahmed Hassan, co-founder of the Saudi label KML, has also been recognised. The brand, launched in 2022 by Ahmed and his sister Razan, draws inspiration from the gender-neutral, utilitarian dress of Saudi Bedouin. It creates garments designed to be worn in multiple ways. His inclusion in the BoF 500 follows his success as a finalist for the 2025 LVMH Prize.
Sofia Guellaty
Sofia Guellaty, founder and creative director of Mille World, is another Mena talent recognised this year. The Tunisian entrepreneur launched the media platform in 2018 with a mission to spotlight Arab culture, lifestyle, beauty and fashion on a global stage.
Mustafa Kucuk and Vahap Kucuk (LC Waikiki)
Turkish business leaders Mustafa and Vahap Kucuk have also earned a place on the list for their fashion and lifestyle brand LC Waikiki. Since acquiring the company in 1997, they have grown it into a powerhouse that in 2024 reported net sales of approximately $4.92 billion (Dh18.06 billion).
BoF’s founder Amed says their inclusion reflects the broader transformation of the industry. “We put together this year’s class at a unique inflection point for fashion, as the industry contends with shifting geopolitics, economic dislocation and sweeping technological change.”
Other notable inductees for 2025 include Simone Bellotti, creative director at Jil Sander, and Michael Rider, creative director at Celine. Dries Van Noten designer Julian Klausner also makes the list, alongside Italian couturier Giambattista Valli and Jamaican designer Rachel Scott, recognised both for her label Diotima and for her recent appointment to lead Proenza Schouler, where she will debut next season.
Despite its name, the BoF 500 welcomes 100 new members each year, nominated by existing inductees and rigorously vetted before being selected by BoF editors for their influence. The list now consists of 1,613 people representing 98 nationalities.
This year’s list also features US rappers and singers Doechii and Kendrick Lamar, alongside British actress and singer Cynthia Erivo. American model and beauty entrepreneur Hailey Bieber also makes the cut, as does French ballet dancer Guillaume Diop.
Further additions include British designer and podcast host Bella Freud, Sara Moonves, editor-in-chief of W Magazine, and Thom Bettridge, editor-in-chief of i-D magazine. Kyle Smith, fashion editor for the NFL, is also recognised.
The specs
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Power: 819hp
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Key Points
- Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
- Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
