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Three Pakistani Names Now Among Fashion's Global Influencers on the BoF 500

Streetwear designer Zain Ahmad and Swedish-Pakistani model Noor Khan join couturier Faraz Manan in The Business of Fashion's 2026 index, with Ahmad's brand Rastah hitting $2.2 million in gross revenue.

RRohaanPublished 1 min read
Three Pakistani Names Now Among Fashion's Global Influencers on the BoF 500
Three Pakistani Names Now Among Fashion's Global Influencers on the BoF 500 · Three Pakistani Names Now Among Fashion's Global Influencers on the BoF 500

Zain Ahmad of Rastah and model Noor Khan join Faraz Manan in The Business of Fashion's BoF 500 for 2026, putting Pakistani fashion in the global spotlight.

Pakistan's fashion industry has gained fresh international recognition, with streetwear designer Zain Ahmad and Swedish-Pakistani model Noor Khan named among the 2026 additions to The Business of Fashion's influential BoF 500. They join Pakistani luxury couturier Faraz Manan, who has been in the index since 2024. The BoF 500 recognises people shaping the global fashion industry through design, business and culture.

Zain Ahmad and Rastah

Ahmad is the founder and creative director of Lahore-based menswear label Rastah, founded in 2018, which blends South Asian craftsmanship such as hand weaving and block printing with modern streetwear-inspired garments. According to BoF, Rastah has held sold-out pop-ups in New York, London and Paris, and reached seven-figure revenue in 2025 without outside investment. BoF reported gross revenue of $2.2 million for the year and said the brand became profitable in 2025, citing Ahmad. The label has been worn by celebrities including Justin Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Zayn Malik, Barry Keoghan and Riz Ahmed. Ahmad said the United States is Rastah's largest overseas market, and around 30 percent of its customers are not South Asian.

Noor Khan's Rise

Khan made her international fashion debut in 2023 in the inaugural lookbook of Phoebe Philo's namesake brand, and opened Prada's Spring/Summer 2025 show in September 2024 as a Milan exclusive. She also walked for Saint Laurent in Paris, and her campaign work includes Prada, Alaïa, Cos and Recto. In April 2026, she was named Model of the Year at the Elle Gala in Sweden, according to BoF.

Faraz Manan's Continued Presence

The Lahore-born couturier launched his label in 2003, and opened a Dubai boutique in 2015. BoF describes him as a leading figure in Pakistan's fashion industry, known for combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes.

About the BoF 500

Established in 2013, the BoF 500 now has 1,713 members, with 100 additions made in 2026. Its selection considers leadership, creativity, innovation and social impact, and it recognises influence rather than placing people in a numerical ranking.

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