As the Editorial Director of U Lebanon and Editor-in-Chief of U Jordan, Shirene Rifai, has changed the fashion world in the Middle East since the inception of U in 2007. Through the years, Rifai developed a groundbreaking destination for women who love fashion with a publication that delivers glamour and strength. U Jordan’s success later conceived the 2010 launch of U Lebanon, of which Rifai serves as Editorial Director.  “We bring more than just a fabulous shopping experience to women. U is for the active, independent and intellectually-driven women who are curious about the world and want to look and feel their best at the same time,” says Shirene Rifai.

Rifai’s global support and charitable work also distinguishes her as a role model and encouragement for future designers, artists and the Arab community. Her belief in all things great for women is her priority inside and out of the magazine. Rifai’s fearlessness forges new ground to the industries of fashion and magazines in the Middle East, as she continues taking U to higher ground.

Based between Dubai and London, Fashion Director at RR&Co. Bespoke Luxury Management is always on pulse with global luxury brands. From consulting brands,  media relations to styling and then of course, Manji's weekly fashion segment on Dubai One TV Manji has one full schedule. One Wig Stand and Fustany.com's Bras for a Cause campaign is one that touched her on a personal level. Her mother was diagnosed in the 80s with breast cancer, and most recently a friend and collegue at the age of 30. There is no exact age when Breast Cancer can take over the life of your mother, daughter, sister or friend. Anything to create positive awareness and be one step closer to finding a cure means the world to Rosemin.

Rana Salam is one of the most established and celebrated graphic designers and artists from the Middle East. Her unique knowledge of Arab culture and its popular art stems from years of traveling and documenting. She then merges her collected ephemera and imagery with the latest technology to create a unique vision of graphic design and art direction, her signature language. Rana has been running her own London and now Beirut-based design studio for over a decade, producing distinctive designs for clients which include harvey nichols, villa moda, liberty of london, bokja design, boutique 1, the victoria and albert museum (V&A), arts council england, and paul smith. The work has received media acclaim in Vogue, Creative Review, Design Week, The Evening Standard, The Guardian’s Space, Aïshti, & Elle Decoration. The studio specialises in retail, hospitality and many other commercial activities. It has produced the famous image for the deli Comptoir Libanais in London, and created the interiors and graphics for Ayyame, the new contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant in Kuwait.

Rana was also Art Director of Boutique 1’s in-store magazine and has recently launched www.mishmaoul.com, a successful online store selling her own creations and collection of accessorises, art, prints and one of a kind objects. In 2008, Rana launched her widely-successful book ‘The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie’ co-edited with Malu Halasa.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Evelyne Accad received her primary and secondary education in Beirut before attending the Beirut College for Women (then BUC, now LAU) for two years. Evelyne holds the esteemed title of Professor Emerita from the University of Illinois and the Lebanese American University in Comparative Literature, African Studies, Women Studies, French, Middle-East Studies, and the Honors Program. 

Publications include: Femmes du Crépuscule (2008), The Wounded Breast:  Intimate Journeys through Cancer (2001), Voyages en Cancer (2000 - Received Phénix Prize in 2001), Blessures des Mots: Journal de Tunisie (French edition: 1993, English edition, 1996), Play, adaptation for the theater, Tunis:  Les filles de Tahar Haddad (1995), Sexuality and War: Literary Masks of the Middle East (1990), Des femmes, des hommes et la guerre:  Fiction et Réalité au Proche-Orient (French edition: 1993 - received France-Liban Award in 1994. Spanish edition: 1997),  Coquelicot du massacre (1988), Contemporary Arab Women Writers and Poets (1986), L'Excisée (1982 and 1992, English edition:1989 and 1995), Montjoie Palestine! or Last Year in Jerusalem (1980), Veil of Shame:  The Role of Women in the Modern Fiction of North Africa and the Arab World. (1978- Received International Edicator's Award) and five edited volumes, seventeen book chapters, seventy-eight articles and more than one hundred book reviews.

Other activities include traveling and conducting research on women’s condition in the Arab Gulf, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, the Maghreb, and more recently Asia, writing and composing songs (music and lyrics), and performing at various concerts in the U.S., France, Lebanon and Africa.

Tiffany Karam Youssef was introduced to the world of lingerie and intimate apparel at a young age, when her father opened the first K-Lynn boutique in Beirut, Lebanon in 1988. It started out as a destination for brides shopping for their bridal trousseau, but soon expanded into offering the best selection of internationally renowned brands. As a teenager, Tiffany would often accompany her parents on buying trips, gaining an understanding of the business and developing an interest in the world of lingerie.

After obtaining her degree in Visual Communications from the George Washington University, she joined the company as Marketing Coordinator, in charge of fine tuning K-Lynn's brand image and launching an online presence. She introduced the famous K-Lynn Lingerie Fashion Show on the Snow, held at a ski resort in Lebanon, which gained worldwide attention and established the company as a leader in innovative events. To further enhance her skills, she took a nine month course in Fashion Marketing at Parsons School of Design in New York City. She is currently handling the marketing coordination in the U.A.E, where K-Lynn has five locations.

Abir Achkar is a certified Image Consultant and founder of Personage Image and fashion consulting, also a member at the Association of Image consultant International AICI. Born and raised in Beirut, based in Bahrain and travels throughout the fabulous Middle East. Achkar is specialized in corporate and individual Image and fashion services, where she helps women bring out a signature style and image. With a dedicated section in one of Bahrain's leading magazines and Abir's her involvement in many charity organizations, she certainly has a strong impact on helping women reflect a strong image and raising their self-esteem. "No matter what age you are, weight or budget, you can always look and feel great.’’

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Yolande Badre received her Pharmacy degree from “L’Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth”, and continued her studies to become a Doctor in Pharmacy and Biology. She was granted the “Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth” Medal of Honor and was elected the President of the Federation of the USJ Alumni Associations.

Yolande is the founder and president of the reputable Badre Pharmacy, which was established in 1969. Badre is the exclusive representative of many international medical laboratories in Lebanon and the Middle East for over 30 years. Throughout the years, it has represented “Laboratoire Fournier”, which is one of the most venerated Laboratories worldwide. In 1990, it became the  exclusive agent of the French medical laboratory “Thausne”, which is a prime manufacturer of orthopedic products, post-vascular surgical treatments, and plastic surgery supplies.

A recognized pharmacist and importer known for crafting vital strategic vision to achieve business goals, she offers a unique blend of executive acumen, team-leadership, and advancement credited with strong perception, integrity, and operational improvement.

Yolande has received numerous achievement rewards and acquired much praiseworthy titles for backing up many fundamental causes, also for leading several groups and organizations to by her supreme audacious willpower and devotion. She was the first woman ever to be elected as President of the Order of Pharmacists.