Two Pakistani designers are now featured in the Business of Fashion’s influential BoF 500 global fashion index, following the addition of streetwear designer Zain Ahmad to the 2026 edition. Ahmad joins luxury couturier Faraz Manan, who was inducted into the index in 2024. The recognition places two Pakistani designers within a global community of individuals shaping the fashion industry through design, business and culture. The BoF 500 is selected by the publication’s editorial team through nominations, research and interviews, rather than through a conventional numerical ranking.
Zain Ahmad is the founder of Lahore-based fashion label Rastah, which combines traditional Pakistani textile techniques with contemporary streetwear. According to Business of Fashion, the label has used traditional hand looms and block printing in its designs while building an international customer base. Rastah, founded in 2018, has been worn by international celebrities including Justin Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Zayn Malik and Barry Keoghan. The publication reported that Rastah generated $2.2 million in gross revenue during 2025 and became profitable during the same year. Ahmad also said the United States is the brand’s largest overseas market, while around 30 percent of its customers are not South Asian, indicating that the label has expanded beyond the Pakistani and South Asian diaspora.
Faraz Manan, who entered the BoF 500 in 2024, is the founder and creative director of his namesake luxury fashion label. His work focuses on bridal and formal wear, combining detailed embellishment with contemporary silhouettes. His designs have attracted customers across South Asia and the Middle East, while his international presence expanded with the opening of a Dubai boutique in 2015. His work has also gained visibility among Bollywood celebrities, contributing to his recognition within the international fashion industry. The inclusion of Manan alongside Ahmad reflects two different approaches to Pakistani fashion gaining international attention, from luxury bridal and formal wear to contemporary streetwear.
Despite its name, the BoF 500 has expanded beyond an exclusive group of 500 people since it was established in 2013. The index now includes 1,713 members, with 100 people added in 2026 across categories including designers, executives, entrepreneurs, retailers and media figures. Selection considers factors such as leadership, creativity, innovation and social impact. The latest additions give Pakistan two representatives in the international fashion industry community, highlighting the growing global visibility of Pakistani designers and fashion labels. The recognition also places Ahmad’s work with Rastah alongside Manan’s established presence in the luxury fashion sector, giving both designers representation within one of the fashion industry’s prominent editorial indexes.
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