NADINE MERABI
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to showcase its FW22 Collection during London report on The State of Fashion 2023. “The rise of Fashion Week. However, London Fashion Week brands known for their glamorous yet sustainable was postponed in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s designs exemplifies the growing demand for fashion death in September, followed by a 10-day mourning that is both stylish and environmentally responsible,” period. NADINE MERABI was one of the first brands says the Arab Fashion Council’s Aqra. “As the luxury to announce its move from the traditional London sector continues to grow, incorporating sustainable Fashion Week calendar, with the support of the British practices and embracing slow fashion will be crucial Fashion Council, to join the London Fashion Week for brands to stay relevant and meet the evolving City Wide Celebration four weeks later. demands of conscious consumers.” “Some people read my story or look at my journey This sentiment is echoed by Maya Azzi, Chief Brand and think, ‘Oh well, she was lucky, or she’s done a good Officer at The Luxury Closet. “In the shift from fast thing,’ but I would describe it all as blood, sweat, and fashion to slow fashion, we're seeing a rise in luxury tears,” says Merabi. “People will try and put you down. brands entering the resale environment along with I just think it’s such a shame that there are so many the reemergence of vintage pieces. More and more young women out there that have this dream and do designer brands are turning towards resale and want to create something but get held back without finding a fresh way to build connectivity and loyalty having the chance to achieve that.” with customers,” she says. Noting the shift in the industry post-pandemic, and Proudly a slow fashion brand, the NADINE the dying fever of fast fashion, driven by the increasing MERABI team is now supplying pieces to a rental popularity of e-commerce, Merabi points to the new service called HURR to try and circulate its designs, generations and how they are pushing away from as well as developing and working on sustainable buying cheap throw-away items to luxury items. fabrics which can be recycled, according to the “I think it’ll be interesting to see what happens cofounder. Looking ahead, Merabi is also open Stay connected in the next two years to fast fashion,” she says. to branching out into the Middle East, with with our latest business news. “If you have a MERABI in your wardrobe, it’s a hopes of collaborations with designers in the classic design and a memorable piece that you region. “I think it will open up new avenues,” can keep wearing for years to come.” says Merabi, “My whole point in design is to The luxury sector is expected to grow from have as many women as possible being able to 5% to 10% in 2023, according to McKinsey’s wear MERABI around the world.”
Most Powerful Lebanese Businesswomen In our list of the Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2023, released in February, these were the three highest-ranking Lebanese women. Name and rank in list
Company
Title
Samia Bouazza
Multiply Group
Group CEO & Managing
18
40
50
Leila Serhan
Olfat Sami Berro
F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M
Visa
Roche
Director
Saeeda: Senior Vice President & Group Country Manager— GCC; Leila: Senior Vice President & Group Country Manager—North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP)
Area Head Middle East
Nationality
Lebanese
Bouazza founded Multiply Group as the Multiply Marketing Consultancy in 2003. The Multiply Group debuted on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in December 2021.
Emirati; Lebanese
Serhan joined Visa in 2021. The company launched its global initiative “She’s Next” in MENA in 2022 to empower women entrepreneurs in the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco.
Lebanese
Berro joined Roche in 2003 and assumed her current position in 2019. In September 2022, Berro helped to launch RISE, a talent development program.
JULY 2023
