Streetwear designer Zain Ahmad has been named to the 2026 additions of the Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, joining luxury couturier Faraz Manan, who is already on the index. Pakistan now has two designers on the list, the publication announced.
The BoF 500 recognizes people shaping fashion through design, business and culture. The publication’s editors select members after nominations, research and interviews. The index adds emerging figures to a community that includes established industry leaders.
Ahmad’s Lahore-based label, Rastah, blends traditional textile techniques with contemporary streetwear. BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed wrote in the announcement that the label has achieved profitability by using traditional hand looms and block printing in streetwear-inspired garments. He said the clothing has resonated with Hollywood stars and international musicians.
Founded in 2018, Rastah has been worn by Justin Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Zayn Malik and Barry Keoghan, according to BoF. Citing Ahmad, the publication reported that the label earned gross revenue of $2.2 million in 2025 and turned profitable that year. Ahmad said the United States is Rastah’s largest overseas market and that about 30 percent of its customers are not South Asian, indicating a reach beyond the diaspora.
Manan, who joined the index in 2024, is founder and creative director of his namesake luxury label. His bridal and formal designs combine elaborate embellishment with contemporary silhouettes and have drawn customers across South Asia and the Middle East. He opened a boutique in Dubai in 2015, serving both diaspora and local clients. According to his BoF profile, his designs have also attracted leading Bollywood celebrities.
Established in 2013, the BoF 500 is no longer limited to 500 people. It now has 1,713 members, with 100 added this year across categories including designers, executives, entrepreneurs, retailers and media. Selection considers leadership, creativity, innovation and social impact. The index is an editorial selection, not a numerical ranking of designers or businesses.
