Four Up-and-Coming Arab Designers to Know

Moroccan designer Youssef Drissi doesn’t rely on expected codes of North African or Middle Eastern design for his brand, Late For Work. Instead, his collections challenge clichéd corporate style through deconstruction and gender-neutral design – a contemporary vision that can’t be pinned down. Tailoring becomes subverted through new and unexpected constructions, turning workwear from something inherently formal into something non-conformist and unrestrained. Described as “playful workwear for adults”, Late For Work invites its wearers to let loose and have fun.

Find Late For Work in Women’s Contemporary on the Fourth Floor.

An accessories alumna of Parisian powerhouses Chloé, Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent, Leila Roukni stepped away from established houses to pursue her own mission with Talel Paris. The mission in question? To do the unexpected. “When people come to Talel, they are looking for a statement piece, something different”, says the Moroccan-French designer. The brand defies convention and disrupts the established codes of accessory design, focusing on unique shapes such as angular triangles and asymmetric waves, as well as bright colours, distinctive textures and XXL sizes.

Find Talel Paris in Women’s Contemporary on the Fourth Floor.

“I want people to feel like they’re a different character,” says Ziyad Buainain of his designs. The eponymous label focuses on eveningwear defined by shape, structure and texture. The Saudi-born designer is shaped by a life lived across four continents, bringing an international perspective to his collections and drawing inspiration from art around the world. Dedicated to his eco-conscious principles, the designer prioritises deadstock and recycled fabrics and promotes a mindful approach, often incorporating transformative features into his designs that offer more than one way of wearing a piece.

Find Ziyad Buainain in Evening & Occasion on the First Floor.

Farah Radwan founded her brand out of a desire to wear designs she couldn’t find anywhere else. Inspired by the punk scene and her roots in Cairo, FYR Jewelry reinterprets Egyptian culture to create heirloom pieces that are loaded with storytelling: “It’s not just the pharaohs, it’s also the Egypt of our grandparents and their relationship to jewellery – that’s the DNA of the brand.” Handcrafted by artisans in the heart of Cairo, FYR Jewelry uses only noble materials and natural stones, so no two pieces are the same – but all are made to be treasured forever.

Find FYR Jewelry in Men’s Contemporary on the Second Floor.