DUBAI: Montenegrin Egyptian actress and model Tara Emad has been named among the newest inductees to The Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 Class of 2025, which recognizes individuals shaping the global fashion industry, alongside Saudi designer Ahmed Hassan, co-founder of streetwear label KML.
The BoF 500 is an annual index by the London-based platform The Business of Fashion, founded by Imran Amed, that celebrates designers, creatives, models, executives and entrepreneurs redefining the global fashion landscape. Each year, 100 new members are selected based on their impact, industry nominations and extensive editorial research.
Emad, who serves as a Cartier ambassador, is best known for her roles in the recently released Arabic action-comedy “Darwish,” the Arabic adaptation of “Suits,” Netflix’s family drama “Catalog,” and the film “Siko Niko.”
A fixture on red carpets across the region, she has become one of the Arab world’s most recognizable faces, championing regional designers while maintaining a strong international presence.
Meanwhile, Hassan’s inclusion reflects the continued rise of Saudi Arabia’s creative scene and its expanding presence in the global fashion industry.
As co-founder of KML — known for its bold streetwear aesthetic infused with local cultural influences — Hassan, together with his brother and business partner Razan, has helped to bring Saudi design to the international stage.
In 2022, the brand was a semifinalist for the prestigious LVMH Prize — an annual award for young fashion designers run by the eponymous fashion conglomerate.
The Fashion Commission also recognized their potential, providing support that led to KML showcasing its collections at fashion weeks in Paris, Riyadh and Milan.
“Paris was a wonderful experience,” Ahmed previously told Arab News. “People found our clothes rebellious — especially the skirts for men. But it was rebellious to wear pants in Saudi Arabia 200 years ago! Men everywhere here wore skirts — there were different names for them.”
This year’s BoF 500 Class of 2025 includes 100 new names from 30 countries, spanning 40 nationalities. Among the inductees are musicians Kendrick Lamar and Tems, designers Giambattista Valli and Michael Rider, and models Hailey Bieber and Mamour Majang.
Past Arab members of the BoF 500 include Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, founder of Ashi Studio, who became the first designer from the Kingdom to join the index in 2023.
