Libyan fashion designer Ibrahim Shebani has qualified for the final shortlist in the “Emerging Talent” category of the inaugural 2025 World Arab Fashion Prize. The award is organised by the Arab World Institute in Paris.
Shebani is participating under his brand, “Born in Exile,” which organisers described as a “political and poetic label” positioned at the intersection of contemporary design and the memory of diaspora, reflecting a spirit of identity and resistance through fashion.
The prize is held this year under the theme of “Memory, Material, and Commitment,” aiming to highlight Arab designers who are redefining luxury by drawing inspiration from their roots, the human experience, and modernity.
The final shortlist in this category included a selection of designers from various Arab countries, such as Siluwaya Nazzal from Palestine, Muthanna Al-Haj Ali from Syria, Sofia Qasmi from Morocco, and Haroun Ghanmi from Tunisia. The prize is divided into three main categories: Innovative Talent, Accessories, and Emerging Talent. The judging panel is chaired by Pascal Morand, from the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, alongside a group of prominent figures in the international fashion world.
Shebani’s designs feature a unique blend of Libyan heritage and contemporary global flair. The designer draws inspiration from popular culture, ancient myths, and symbols to reinterpret them with a modern spirit. His collections are known for their distinctive prints and meticulous embroideries that narrate stories of belonging, self-discovery, and the exile experience. According to his design philosophy: “I see no point in repeating the basics; it is the details that give fashion its soul and value.”
Shebani’s professional journey involved frequent relocation. Born in Germany in 1982 after his family was compelled to leave Libya in the late seventies, he grew up in Cairo before returning to Libya in the nineties, where he became involved in artistic and cultural activities during his studies. Despite the difficulties he faced in studying design due to the conservative outlook of Libyan society, Shebani initially studied architecture before later pivoting to fashion design.
Shebani established his brand, “Born in Exile,” in Tunisia in 2017, following a search that spanned Jordan and Italy for an environment that would enable him to transform his passion into a profession. His collections are currently manufactured in Tunisia using European materials and are displayed in Italy. By reaching the finals of this prestigious award in Paris, Ibrahim Shebani continues to write a new chapter in his success story as a Libyan designer who carved his path from exile to global recognition, carrying with him the memory of his homeland and a heritage that he reinterprets through threads of art and commitment.
