It has been a long time coming — finally the fashion industry is breaking free of its self-imposed blonde hair, blue-eyed cliche.
Pick up any magazine and today it is filled with faces of every hue, tone and heritage, from hijabi pioneer Halima Aden to Tilila Oulhaj, who is redefining beauty with her freckles.
As a result, a wealth of young Arab women are storming the industry, ushering in a new era of representation around the world.
The Palestinian-Dutch Hadid sisters, Bella and Gigi, are perhaps the best-known models with Arab heritage today, but they are certainly not the only ones.
Here we look at eight other women who hail from the Mena region blazing a path in fashion.
Imaan Hammam
Imaan Hammam's heritage hails from the Netherlands, Egypt and Morocco. She was discovered at the age of 13 at Amsterdam Central Station, and went on to open the Givenchy spring-summer 2014 in Paris.
Since then she has appeared in Vogue across eight countries, and was one of the models chosen to appear on the cover of the 125th anniversary of the American edition.
She has starred in campaigns for Maison Margiela, Coach and Celine, as well as high street names as H&M and the now-defunct Topshop.
She's still only 25, but she's become a vocal force for diversity.
“I want to be a role model for young girls who are struggling with racism or struggling with their looks or with their skin colour," she told industry site Business of Fashion. "There aren’t many Arabic models, and being an African-Arabic model, I’m trying to open doors for more Arabic girls.”
Azza Slimene
Tunisian star Azza Slimene, 24, was discovered by the late designer Azzedine Alaia in Tunis, and made her runway debut walking for Chanel's autumn-winter show in 2018.
She's now signed to Next Model Management in Milan, Italy, but is also an actress, and appeared in the Tunisian television series Sons of Mofida.
Nora Attal
Moroccan-British Nora Attal was discovered by the British photographer Jamie Hawkesworth at the age of 14.
One of her first jobs was a campaign for JW Anderson.
Now 22, she announced this week she had married filmmaker Victor Bastidas.
She has become a runway favourite for the likes of Prada, Chanel, Fendi, Dior and Versace and recently appeared with her family in an Eid campaign for Ralph Lauren.
Habiba El-Kobrossy
Egyptian Habiba El-Kobrossy, 25, is a model and taekwondo sportswoman.
She goes by the handle of "Warrior princess" and while she's still at the beginning of her modelling career, she has already walked for Peter Pilotto and Cairo brand Sara Onsi.
Shahad Salman
Born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Shahad Salman credits her modelling career to Winnie Harlow, a fellow vitiligo sufferer. Salman was diagnosed at the age of 4.
She has starred on the cover of Vogue Arabia with Canadian model Harlow in 2019, launching her career. Now a vocal advocate for acceptance, Salman and Harlow are both champions for those with the condition.
Malika El-Maslouhi
Malika El-Maslouhi, 23, was born in Milan, to a Moroccan father and Italian mother, and with her unique beauty has walked for names such as Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Oscar de la Renta.
For spring 2022, El-Maslouhi starred in the Missoni advertising campaign.
Tilila Oulhaj
Tilila Oulhaj, 24, is redefining beauty with her full face of freckles.
Born in Azilal, in the Atlas Mountains, she has worked with Vogue Arabia, LÓfficiel and two years ago became the face of Pure Shots, the beauty collection by Yves Saint-Laurent.
She is now signed to agencies Select and Models One.
Sonia Ben Ammar
French-Tunisian Sonia Ben Ammar is only 23 but has already walked at a Dolce & Gabbana alta moda, as well as Miu Miu and Chanel. She recently released her first music album too. Expect plenty more from this powerhouse.
Gigi Hadid's style evolution — in pictures
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Gigi Hadid, in a sheer white shirt and printed jeans, attends the People StyleWatch Hollywood Denim Party on September 20, 2012 in Santa Monica, California. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a pink layered mini dress, poses on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 4, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Pucci embellished dress, attends the 2015 Pirelli Calendar red carpet on November 18, 2014 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a leather jacket, attends the 2015 Pirelli Calendar press conference on November 18, 2014 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Prabal Gurung suit, arrives for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 23, 2014. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in J Mendel separates, poses during the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue party in New York on February 10, 2015. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in a Balmain two-piece, and Kendall Jenner attend the Balmain aftershow dinner during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in navy jersey, Jared Leto and Doutzen Kroes attend the Paris Fashion Week Tasting Night with Galaxy on March 7, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in scarlet Diane von Furstenberg, arrives for the Met Gala in New York on May 4, 2015. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in a plunging Tom Ford dress, attends amfAR's 22nd Cinema Against Aids Gala on May 21, 2015 in France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Guess denim, poses at Myer Macquarie Centre on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Guess LBD, poses at the launch of the Guess Spring 2015 collectionon August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a white crystal-studded mini dress, arrives ahead of the David Jones fashion show on August 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in mustard Emilia Wickstead, arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on August 30, 2015. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in silk-blend trousers and a taupe long-line gilet, attends the Serena Williams Signature Statement by HSN show in New York City on September 15, 2015. AFP -
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, in Versace, attend the Vogue 95th Anniversary Party on October 3, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Bao Tranchi separates, arrives at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 22, 2015. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in a sleek LBD, attends the Maybelline fashion show on January 18, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid, in scarlet sweats, leave their East Village apartment on March 25, 2016 in New York City. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a pinstriped Versace suit, arrives at the MTV Movie Awards in California on April 9, 2016. EPA -
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid, in armour-like Tommy Hilfiger, arrive at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in David Koma, arrives for the 10th Annual Guys Choice Awards in California on June 4, 2016. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in white jeans and a slogan vest, attends the Puma fashion show on September 2, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Versace, and Zayn Malik attend the Versus Versace show during London Fashion Week on September 17, 2016 in London. Getty Images -
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid, in Givenchy, attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2016 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Julien Macdonald lace gown, arrives for the American Music Awards in California on November 20, 2016. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in metallic Versace, attends the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after party on November 30, 2016 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Atelier Versace, attends The Fashion Awards 2016 on December 5, 2016 in London. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in leather trousers and a Tommy Hilfiger hoodie, at Paris Fashion Week on February 28, 2017 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Tommy Hilfilger blazer dress, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 1, 2017. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in Tommy Hilfiger, presents her TommyXGigi collection on September 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a Brandon Maxwell shirt dress, attends the Messika party during Paris Fashion Week on September 27, 2017 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in canary Ralph Lauren, attends the Gigi Hadid X Maybelline party on November 7, 2017 in London. Getty Images -
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid, in a leather coat, seen on January 12, 2018 in New York City. Getty Imahes -
Gigi Hadid, in shimmering Atelier Versace, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 7, 2018. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in Paco Rabanne, arrives at the premiere for 'Ocean's 8' in New York on June 5, 2018. EPA -
Bella and Gigi Hadid, in a striped off-shoulder shirt, at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York on September 4, 2018. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in Reebok athleisure, attends the Reebok talk event on November 14, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in a cosy knit and checked coat, and Karlie Kloss attend the launch of Evian and Virgil Abloh’s limited-edition collection in Paris on February 25, 2019. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Prada, attends the 'Double Exposure' book signing on February 27, 2019 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in silver Michael Kors, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2019. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in Louis Vuitton, attends the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2019 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Tom Ford, arrives on the red carpet for the MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey on August 26, 2019. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in an oversized denim jacket, at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York on August 28, 2019. EPA -
Bella and Gigi Hadid, in Tommy Hilfiger, at the Tommy Hilfiger show during New York Fashion Week on September 8, 2019. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in a woollen blazer, attends the Tribute to the Karl Lagerfeld: The White Shirt Project exhibition in Paris on September 25, 2019. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in baby blue Burberry, poses at the WSJ Mag 2019 Innovator Awards in New York in November 6, 2019. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in washed black jeans and a checked gilet, in New York on January 16, 2020. EPA -
Gigi Hadid, in Prada, attends a dinner co-hosted by Prada and 'Vogue Paris' on January 19, 2020 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Gigi Hadid, in Chanel, attends the Harper's Bazaar Exhibition as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 26, 2020. Getty Images
