An alumnus of Central Saint Martins, Gaurav Gupta has created a niche for his eponymous label as a progressive couturier and carved a world that is future primitive, reflected through his sculptural garments. Over nineteen years of merging indigenous Indian construction and embellishing techniques with his idea of the future, Gaurav Gupta has delivered and sustained a world that is Indian at its core and boundless in its form and emerged as one of the strongest voices in couture and fashion from India. His novel sari gowns began an entirely new language in Indian wear and gradually in couture, as perceived hitherto in India.

Khalid AlMannaa is a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, Master Perfumer, and Product Designer, currently serving as CEO of Khaleet, a Kuwait-based fragrance and personal care brand. With over 15 years of industry experience, his expertise spans perfumery, product innovation, creative direction, and brand development. In 2015, he founded Mubkhar, a Kuwaiti fragrance brand that he developed into a successful regional business, expanding its presence across the GCC. His entrepreneurial journey reached a significant milestone in 2022 when Mubkhar was acquired by Floward, one of the region's leading online gifting platforms. His vision is centered on combining creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation to create distinctive products, build successful businesses, and elevate Kuwaiti brands on the regional and international stage.

Nour Abdulhussain is a Kuwaiti designer and founder of Nour Abdul, a budding fashion brand. In 2019, she graduated from Miami International University of Art & Design, a university ranked by BOF’s education council as one of the best overall schools in the US for undergraduate degrees in fashion design. During her time in Miami, she began making plans for creating her own fashion brand and bringing her designs back to Kuwait. Her influences come from the merging of both her Arabic roots with her experiences living in the US. Her time at MIU helped hone her technical and creative skills, as well as introducing her to the concept of sustainability, a concept she strives to implement in her overall production and designs.

Nafsika Skourti is a Greek-Palestinian designer and the founder and creative force behind her eponymous label, which she co-founded with her sister, Stephanie Skourti, in Amman, Jordan, in 2014. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she began her career at Marchesa in New York before honing her craft in haute couture embroidery and passementerie at École Lesage in Paris. Defined by a distinctive balance of impeccable craftsmanship, contemporary silhouettes and innovative textile artistry, their design philosophy centres on creating versatile, elevated pieces that celebrate the many facets of femininity. Balancing glamour with anti-glamour and statement with subtlety encouraging women to embrace individuality and reinterpret their wardrobes on their own terms. Today, Nafsika Skourti is recognised as a pioneering Middle Eastern voice on the international luxury fashion stage, with global stockists including Al Othman, Ounass and Harvey Nichols.

Shahd AlShehail is the Founder and Creative Director of ABADIA, a Saudi luxury fashion house that bridges the rich heritage of the Arabian Peninsula with contemporary design. Through her work, she champions traditional craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and the preservation of artisanal techniques, reinterpreting them for the modern woman. Recognised as one of the BoF 500 most influential people shaping the global fashion industry.

Dima Ayad is a Dubai-based entrepreneur, fashion designer and communications specialist with over two decades of experience across luxury hospitality, fashion and lifestyle. She is the Founder and Creative Director of her eponymous fashion label, established in 2010, known for its inclusive approach to contemporary occasionwear, expressive silhouettes and statement designs that celebrate women of all shapes and sizes. The brand has developed an international presence across the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Dima is also the Founder of DAC Communications, a boutique PR and marketing agency established in 2020, specialising in luxury hospitality, food and beverage, lifestyle and fashion. Drawing on a career that includes senior roles at Atlantis, Jumeirah Group, Raffles and The Modist, she combines creative vision, strategic communications expertise and a deep understanding of luxury brand building. Across both businesses, Dima continues to champion individuality, meaningful storytelling and the creation of brands with lasting relevance.

Omar E. Beidoun is the Vice President of Beidoun Trading Company and a third-generation leader of the family business, founded in 1961 by his late grandfather, Zouheir Beidoun. With over 20 years of experience, he continues to build on the company's legacy while driving its growth and evolution. He holds a Master's degree in Luxury Brand Management from European Business School London, where he also studied Family Business Management.

Joana Jamil works at the intersection of culture and the platform. As a Global Partnerships manager at Meta, she partners with the Middle East and North Africa's most influential creators and public figures across the Meta platforms, following chapters at Twitter and Microsoft's MSN Arabia. A journalist by training, she is the author of Lana & Nina — A Different Kind of Family, and a mother of two.

With nearly two decades of experience across the international luxury, fashion, and lifestyle industries, Nathalie Mroue brings extensive expertise in strategic communications and commercial development. She started her career at Stella McCartney before joining Elie Saab, where she spearheaded the brand’s digital and e-commerce growth. At Maison Pyramide Group, she plays a driving role in the development of a multidisciplinary business spanning communications, wholesale, retail development, and talent management. Her work has included developing and delivering some of the region’s most ambitious cultural initiatives, campaigns, and industry programs, supporting creative talent, brands, and businesses across the Middle East and beyond.

Cedric Haddad, founder of #StyledByCed, is a leading personal and celebrity stylist in the Middle East. Starting his career in advertising and TV, he quickly became a trusted name among celebrities for his refined taste and professionalism across interviews, red carpets, magazine covers, and music videos. Beyond styling, he consults VIPs, diplomats, and royal families, offering personalized shopping experiences. Cedric also conducts luxury styling trainings across the GCC for prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Cartier, Gucci, Fendi, and more. Passionate about education, he regularly hosts workshops and seminars to inspire fashion lovers, and teaches his “Personal & Celebrity Styling” course online via MAHARAT and at Istituto Marangoni Dubai.