The Woman Who Taught the Gulf How to Speak Luxury

Few names carry as much weight in the Middle Eastern fashion story as Ingie Chalhoub. She is not only the founder of Étoile Group, the visionary who brought European luxury to the Gulf long before Dubai became a global fashion capital, but also the creative force behind her own maison, Ingie Paris. For decades, she has built bridges — between East and West, business and creativity, entrepreneurship and design.

Yet her story is not one of privilege, but of persistence: convincing global CEOs to take a chance on the region, breaking closed doors, and proving that Arab women belong at the very heart of fashion’s power.

OONA: “You were one of the first to bring European luxury houses into the Gulf, long before Dubai became a global fashion hub. Looking back, what risks did you take that others wouldn’t — and how did they shape your vision as both a businesswoman and designer?

Ingie: When I began, the region was not yet considered a natural home for luxury. Many international maisons doubted the Gulf’s potential, so convincing them required persistence and vision. I took the risk of committing to long-term partnerships when others hesitated. It taught me to anticipate opportunities before they were obvious, a mindset that has guided me both as an entrepreneur and as a creative.

“I learned to see opportunities before they were obvious. That is the only way to create new markets.”

Oona: Many know you as the founder of Étoile Group, but fewer ask about your personal journey as a woman negotiating with global luxury CEOs decades ago. What was the hardest “closed door” you had to break open?

Ingie: The hardest part was convincing maisons that the Gulf was a market worth investing in. Decades ago, many CEOs saw the region as too small, too unfamiliar, or too risky. I had to build trust, demonstrate potential, and prove that we could deliver not just strong sales, but the right brand environment and experience. Once they saw the success, it opened the path for many others to follow.

Oona: With Ingie Paris, you moved from distributing luxury to creating it. What was the most surprising challenge in switching from being a bridge to being a voice?

Ingie: The biggest surprise was how exposed you feel as a creator. When you distribute, you protect another brand’s vision. But when you design, the vision is yours, and every collection feels deeply personal. That vulnerability was both terrifying and rewarding. It gave me respect for the courage it takes for designers to put their soul into their work.

“Designing is vulnerability. You are no longer a bridge — you are the voice itself.”

Oona: The Middle East is often viewed as a consumer market rather than a producer of fashion. From your perspective, what structural changes must happen for regional designers to become global exporters of creativity?

Ingie: We need stronger support systems: education, production facilities, and credible international platforms. Creativity exists here in abundance, but without infrastructure — supply chains, visibility, and investment — it cannot compete globally.

Oona: You have built your career on timeless, feminine elegance. In a market increasingly obsessed with streetwear and youth culture, how do you protect that DNA without becoming nostalgic?

Ingie: Elegance is not nostalgia, it’s evolution. Timeless femininity can live in dialogue with modernity. The key is staying true to identity while listening to cultural shifts. Elegance will always have a place, but it must speak the language of today.

Oona: Business infrastructure has grown, but talent pipelines still struggle. What would most accelerate the growth of Middle Eastern fashion as a serious global industry?

Ingie: Institutional support: scholarships, incubators, mentorships. If governments and the private sector invest in nurturing talent from education to global exposure, the region will not only consume fashion, it will shape it. At Istituto Marangoni in Dubai and soon Riyadh, as well as FAD in Dubai, I see incredible creativity — what they need is an ecosystem to grow into global voices

Oona: You’ve navigated two identities: the entrepreneur building distribution, and the creative building Ingie Paris. How do you balance the rational discipline of business with the vulnerability of design?

Ingie: They are complementary. Business gave me discipline and resilience. Creativity gave me freedom and empathy. The best decisions come when logic and emotion work together.

Oona: As one of the region’s most established female leaders in fashion, what do you think is still misunderstood about the ambitions of Arab women in luxury?

IIngie: There is still a tendency to underestimate Arab women — to see us as consumers rather than leaders and innovators. The reality is, Arab women are ambitious, globally minded, and deeply engaged in shaping industries. Our role is not on the sidelines; it is at the table.

“Arab women are not only the buyers of luxury. We are its leaders, creators, and innovators.”

Oona: You’ve seen Dubai evolve from niche retail market to fashion capital-in-progress. What is still missing in the ecosystem for it to stand alongside Paris or Milan?

Ingie: Dubai doesn’t need to replicate Paris or Milan. Its identity is its agility, diversity, and ability to bring cultures together. It has already proven it can set the stage for global conversations. Continued investment in creativity, innovation, and talent will cement it as a capital in its own right.

Oona: Looking beyond your brand, what legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of Middle Eastern women — not just as designers, but as decision-makers in fashion’s global boardrooms?

Ingie: My hope is that they no longer have to prove they belong. If my journey helps women believe their place is at the center of decision-making — in fashion and beyond — that is the legacy I want most.

Oona: How do you see Arabic culture shaping the global aesthetic of luxury in the next decade?

Ingie: Through craftsmanship and storytelling. Our region has an ancient relationship with textiles, jewelry, and design. When presented globally, these traditions have the power to redefine luxury beyond Eurocentric narratives.

Oona: If you had to advise a 20-year-old Arab woman starting her journey in fashion today, what would you tell her?

Ingie: Be brave, be patient, and understand both creativity and business. One without the other cannot last

Ingie Chalhoub has never been content with occupying a seat at fashion’s table; she built her own. From negotiating with reluctant European maisons decades ago to launching Ingie Paris as a maison of her own, she has written a new chapter for Arab women in fashion: one of leadership, creativity, and fearlessness.

“If my journey shows anything, it is that Arab women belong at the center of decision-making — not only in fashion, but everywhere.”

Interview by Oona Chanel