Retail
International luxury brands are paying increasing attention to the Middle East. These Arab women have become brand ambassadors for top global fashion and beauty brands.
Salma Abu Deif
and beauty. This came after the French luxury fashion label chose Emad to be the first Egyptian and Middle Eastern model to feature in its advertising in 2022. Having started her career at 14 as a model, Emad started acting with the TV series Al Jamia’a (2011). This was followed by Saheb El Saa’da (2014), Torab El Mas (2018), and El Feel-el Azra’a 2 (2020).
Brand: Valentino Egyptian actress Salma Abu Deif first collaborated with the Italian luxury fashion house Maison Valentino in 2020 and then again in mid2021 to promote the brand’s launch of the Rockstud Alcove bag. In 2021, the actress was featured in the fashion house’s #ValentinoDiVas campaign. Abu Deif, who is also a UN Aid Ambassador, started her career aged 20 as a model before making her first TV appearance in 2017, starring in the Ramadan series “Halawet EL Donia” and “Lah Totfea EL Shams.” She was nominated for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice award for favorite female newcomer in 2019. She has also worked with L’Oréal, Chaumet, MAC Cosmetics, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co.
Nancy Ajram Brand: Tiffany & Co. In February 2023, Lebanese superstar singer Nancy Ajram was named Tiffany & Co.’s new brand ambassador. Ajram follows in the footsteps of Hollywood stars Beyonce, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gal Gadot, and Tracee Ellis Ross. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Throughout her career, she has won multiple awards, including the 2008 World Music Award for bestselling Middle Eastern artist for her album Betfakar Fi F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M
Imaan Hammam Brand: Estée Lauder
Tara Emad
Eih, making her the youngest Arab World Music Award winner.
Mila Al Zahrani Brand: Boucheron French luxury jewelry and watch house Boucheron, part of the French fashion multinational corporation Kering, announced in November 2022 that Riyadhborn actress Mila Al Zahrani was the French label’s new local ambassador. Al Zahrani is known for her roles in Boxing Girls (2018), The
Fate Hotel (2021), and Cello (2022). The Saudi actress was nominated for an award at the Venice International Film Festival for her role in “The Perfect Candidate,” which was directed by Saudi director Haifa Al Mansour and debuted in 2019.
Tara Emad Brand: CHANEL In May 2023, EgyptianMontenegrin actress Tara Emad was named CHANEL’s first Middle East brand ambassador for fragrances
Supermodel Imaan Hammam’s first campaign with Estée Lauder debuted in July 2023. Of Moroccan and Egyptian descent, Hammam started her modeling career in 2013 for brands such as Givenchy, Hermes, CHANEL, and Valentino. She has featured in campaigns for Tiffany & Co, CHANEL, Versace, Fendi, Moschino, and Calvin Klein and is a global ambassador for the nonprofit She’s the First. In 2020, she won the Harper’s Bazaar Women Of The Year award for her advocacy for young women.
Razane Jammal Brand: Dior Lebanese-British actress Razane Jammal was Dior’s ambassador for its womenswear line in the Middle East in October 2022. The brand released images featuring the actress dressed JULY 2023
BY JULIAN NABIL; AFP PHOTO / RED SEA FILM FESTIVAL
LEADERBOARD
10
Arab Women Ambassadors Behind Global Brands
