April is designated as Arab-American Heritage Month, and this occasion allows us to celebrate some of the great Arab-Americans in all walks of our lives. We wanted to take this opportunity today and highlight a few of the most influential Arab-Americans in the custom apparel industry. We celebrate them, and all other Arab-Americans today and throughout this month.

First, we have Rami Kashou, one of the most prominent Arab-American designers not just today, but ever. Kashou is perhaps best known for his appearances on the television series Project Runway but he got his start much earlier than that. Born in Palestine, he moved to the United States when he was 20 years old. Working his way up from retail positions that he worked for several years, he steadily rose the ranks of the fashion industry and his style of draping is well-known and has been sought out by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, and a plethora of other Hollywood celebrities. 

Another influential Arab-American in fashion is Nadia Aboulhosn. Originally from Lebanon, Aboulhosn moved to the U.S. at the age of 22, moving to Harlem and starting her blog in the same year. Aboulhosn has modeled for brands like American Apparel, but she was quickly approached about designing her own line of clothing -- the first of which premiered at New York Fashion Week in 2015. Her focus is on designing custom apparel for plus-size women and emphasizes body positivity and reinventing the traditional norms of the fashion industry. Aboulhosn is still on the rise and at just 32 years old, she remains someone to watch for in the future of fashion.

Caroline Seikaly is yet another outstanding Arab-American fashion designer. Of American-Lebanese and French origin, Seikaly grew up in the United States and studied fashion in Rhode Island. Upon graduation, Seikaly would move to Paris to gain experience, eventually working under legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. After gaining the necessary experience to understand the ins and outs of the world of fashion, Seikaly decided to release her own brand. In 2006 she began to present a dress line that premiered at New York and Paris Fashion Week. Having since moved to Beirut, the dresses from her collections remain timeless and feel contemporary no matter when they were made.

Finally, we have Joseph Abboud, who is well known around the world. Abboud was born in Boston in 1950 to a Lebanese family. Abboud got involved in custom apparel early, when he was dyeing women’s shoes for Thom McAn, and then selling suits at Anderson-Little. He would continue to ascend through the ranks and in 1981 he would join Ralph Lauren, eventually launching his own clothing label in 1987. Abboud would eventually sell his name and trademarks to JA Apparel for $65 million, and he would start his second label (Jaz) in 2007. Abboud would eventually become the creative director for Men’s Warehouse, and Abboud has also written an autobiography that discusses the fashion business and his experiences with it, including negative stereotyping that he had to endure and rise above as a result of his Arab-American heritage. 

We applaud not just these four Arab-American custom apparel icons, but also ALL Arab-Americans all across the continent. We will continue to be appreciative of all the work done by Arab-Americans to make the world a better place.