The Business of Fashion is pleased to announce the early speaker lineup for BoF CROSSROADS 2025, our new invitation-only gathering of top business and creative leaders focused on seizing opportunities in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Thai actress Praya Lundberg and chief executive of Indonesian modest fashion brand Buttonscarves Linda Anggrea are among the global experts who will share their insights at our inaugural event, taking place at the One&Only One Za’abeel Hotel in Dubai from April 10-11, 2025.
Speakers confirmed so far include:
• Sabyasachi Mukherjee, founder and designer, Sabyasachi (India)
• Praya Lundberg, actress, Lila Productions (Thailand)
• Linda Anggrea, chief executive officer, Modinity Group (Indonesia)
• Anand S Ahuja, founder and chief executive officer, Bhaane Retail Pvt Ltd. (India)
• Kerim Türe, founder and former chief executive officer, Modanisa (Turkey)
• Maryse Mbonyumutwa, founder and chief executive officer, Pink Mango & Asantii (Rwanda)
• Philippe Zuber, chief executive officer, Kerzner International (UAE)
• Iretidayo Zaccheaus, founder and chief executive officer, Street Souk (Nigeria)
• Laduma Ngxokolo, chief creative director, MaXhosa Africa (South Africa)
• Reni Folawiyo, founder and chief executive officer, Alára (Nigeria)
• Aika Alemi, founder and director, Born Nomad (Kazakhstan)
• Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer, Diriyah Company (Saudi Arabia)
• Rozan Ahmed, creative director, Rozan Ahmed (Kenya)
They will be joined by other leaders and creatives for important discussions across our three content sessions:
Session 1: OPPORTUNITIES
From rising manufacturing hubs to burgeoning currents of soft power, global businesses can no longer afford to neglect the opportunities unfolding in the global south. Here we unpack the most exciting shifts taking place across the world’s fastest-growing markets, and broader implications for the fashion, luxury and beauty industries.
Session 2: EXECUTION
With so much to learn, who’s making the most of fashion’s shifting centre of gravity? We’ll meet and glean insights from the best-in-class creatives, executives and entrepreneurs leveraging changing market dynamics for sustainable growth.
Session 3: IMMERSION
To gain first-hand knowledge and understanding of the vibrant retail, cultural and creative scene in Dubai, we will break up into smaller groups to experience some of the most exciting new developments in the city’s fast-changing landscape.
A limited number of invitation-only tickets remain to join us in person at the One&Only One Za’abeel Hotel in Dubai. To request an invitation, please complete this form.
If you are interested in speaking opportunities, please contact niamh.coombes@businessoffashion.com
To learn more about partnership opportunities, please click here.
BoF CROSSROADS 2025 is made possible in part by our partners Diriyah Company and Kerzner International, owner of One&Only luxury resorts.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is the founder of Sabyasachi, a luxury design house based in India. He set up his eponymous studio with a workforce of three people in 1999 and as a market leader, Mukherjee became the first Indian designer and brand to collaborate with Estée Lauder, H&M, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Pottery Barn, Disney, Thomas Goode, Morgenthal Frederics and Christian Louboutin. Patrons of the brand include celebrities, royals and intellectuals. With the brand’s evolution, Mukherjee has also helmed a number of initiatives, both non-profit and for-profit including the Save The Sari project and the Sabyasachi Art Foundation, working closely with artisans and artists on models of economic sustainability. With flagship stores in most major cities across India, he launched his first international store in New York in 2022.
Praya Lundberg is a Thai actress, model, and activist, celebrated for her performances and dedication to various social causes. Lundberg began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age, quickly rising to fame through her roles in popular Thai television dramas and films. She has recently starred in the third season of HBO Max series “The White Lotus.”
Linda Anggrea is the founder and chief executive of Modinity Group, a fashion and lifestyle firm in South East Asia. Anggrea’s career began in finance, and in 2016, she ventured into entrepreneurship, launching Buttonscarves. Expanding beyond scarves, Buttonscarves now offers bags, footwear, apparel, and more. The label has stores across Southeast Asia and a strong digital presence. Under Anggrea’s leadership, Buttonscarves became the launchpad for a growing ecosystem of multiple brands spanning fashion, beauty and lifestyle that turned into Modinity Group. Through Modinity Group, Anggrea hopes to continue to set new industry standards, championing modern sophistication, and innovation.
Anand S. Ahuja is the founder and chief executive of Bhaane Group, an organisation responsible for facilitating the entry and growth of global brands in the Indian market. The group’s current portfolio includes Nike, Converse, NBA Stores and Amiri. Ahuja is the son of Harish Ahuja, the founder of Shahi Exports, one of India’s largest apparel manufacturing companies. Growing up in the Ahuja family, Ahuja was inspired to blend traditional values with modern retail strategies. His latest venture was the launch of the Amiri store at The Chanakya mall.
Kerim Türe is the founder of Modanisa.com, a modest fashion e-commerce platform serving customers in over 100 countries. With this venture Türe hopes to be instrumental in bridging the gap between tradition and innovation by empowering Muslim women worldwide with accessible, stylish, and diverse fashion choices. He is also the co-founder of Salam Booking, a travel platform addressing the underrepresented needs of the global Muslim community by offering tailored, Muslim-friendly travel experiences and Umrah packages. His understanding of e-commerce and a passion for creating inclusive global brands, Türe’s expertise lies in scaling businesses, fostering innovation, and addressing the unique needs of niche markets.
Maryse Mbonyumutwa is the founder and chief executive of Pink Mango, an export-oriented garment manufacturer based in Kigali, Rwanda. Pink Mango employs over 1,300 workers, 70 percent of whom are women. Mbonyumutwa founded the business in 2017 after realising Africa’s potential as a global fashion hub and catalyst for driving sustainable industrialisation. Mbonyumutwa is also the founder of Asantii, a contemporary Pan-African clothing brand that celebrates the continent’s heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Launched in 2022, Asantii has collaborated with African designers and is available online and in select concept stores across Africa, Europe, and the US. Mbonyumutwa is a member of the BoF 500.
Philippe Zuber is chief executive officer of Kerzner International, a developer and operator of destination resorts, ultra-luxury hotels, branded residences, and entertainment experiences. Zuber spearheads the company’s strategic expansion plans and leads the operation of the collection of resorts and residences. Zuber hopes to lead the evolution of Kerzner, beyond the industry-leading Atlantis and ultra-luxury One&Only brands. In 2024, Kerzner introduced SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai, a hospitality brand that offers a holistic approach to sleep, fitness and recovery to enable guests to achieve peak performance without compromise. Under Rare Finds, a collection of hotels that celebrates soulful experiences and journeys, Kerzner manages Bab Al Shams, Dubai’s quintessential desert retreat. Additionally, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, a 500-room destination golf and casino resort in Morocco. Mr. Zuber joined Kerzner International in 2015 as president and chief operating officer.
Iretidayo ‘Ireti’ Zaccheaus is the founder and chief executive of Street Souk, an African streetwear community and convention she launched in 2018. In 2023, Zaccheaus toured with Street Souk, showcasing African streetwear brands in seven cities: London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Abuja, Lagos, Accra, and Cape Town. Zaccheaus has also worked as a creative and cultural consultant for Nike, Topicals and Apple, as well as for artists Davido, Tiwa Savage and Rema. She was inducted to the 2024 class of the BoF 500.
Laduma Ngxokolo is the founder and chief creative director at MaXhosa Africa, a global luxury fashion brand that merges the aesthetics of Xhosa people, a South African ethnic group, with contemporary appeal. Inspired by intricate beadwork patterns worn by Xhosa initiates, Laduma transformed knitwear into a bold cultural statement. His designs have been shown on the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Beyond clothing, MaXhosa Africa has grown into a lifestyle brand, bringing African heritage into homes through carefully crafted interiors. Ngxokolo’s work has been showcased in museums like the Smithsonian and MoMA. With each collection, Ngxokolo hopes to push boundaries, ensuring that African design is not only preserved but celebrated in bold new ways.
Reni Folawiyo is the founder and director of Alára – Africa’s leading space for culture, fashion, art, food, and design, on Lagos’ Victoria Island. Folawiyo has been a foundational guiding force in discovering, growing and celebrating many of the leading creatives working in Africa today. Folawiyo has received numerous awards and recognition for her work and cultural leadership, including being named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Forbes Africa in 2020. Alára has been celebrated in Architectural Digest and the Wall Street Journal. Prior to launching her business in the cultural sphere, Folawiyo spent her early career practicing law. Folawiyo received her Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Warwick.
Aika Alemi is an artist, business coach, mentor, and author. She is also the founder and director of Born Nomad and is the director of Central Asia Creative Incubator. She contributes to Elle Kazakhstan and Forbes Kazakhstan. Alemi was a womenswear finalist for the International Woolmark Prize 2017 and was awarded Best Mentor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Women Entrepreneurs Programme 2018. She has organised over 50 major events including CentralAsia Creative Incubator, Responsible Fashion Series Silk Road and Shymkent Art Days. She holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Kiran Haslam is the chief marketing officer for Diriyah Company, an organisation responsible for executing the Diriyah Project, or the transformation of Saudi Arabia as a cultural and tourist destination. Haslam is responsible for re-establishing Diriyah’s position within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally as not just as the birthplace of the Kingdom, but also as a centre for the preservation of heritage and perpetuator of Saudi culture and heritage. Prior to joining Diriyah Company, Haslam’s played a key role in the reinvention of luxury brands. He has established and branded progressive media platforms in the Middle East; authored two children’s story books; and toured the world as a musician and composer. Haslam holds degrees from Deakin University and the Berklee College of Music.
Rozan Ahmed sits at the nexus of entertainment, fashion, music, media, politics, the arts and activism: an intersection of related fields she argues must be intertwined to achieve maximum impact. At 21, she was the youngest appointed editor in British Publishing and a Young Global Leader by the age of 28. Her creative vision — which encompasses writing, directing, genre-building and more — has shifted perceptions and moved markets through a strong belief in the stylistic embrace of ‘self’. Ahmed continues to play a pivotal role in shaping what she calls a worldwide African renaissance and her upcoming publication, titled Exposed, endeavours to present and propel the truths of a ‘third-culture generation’.
Imran Amed is founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of The Business of Fashion, the upstart media company that has grown from a blog into the most trusted global authority on the $3 trillion fashion, luxury and beauty industries. BoF serves 100,000 paying members and reaches more than 1 million email subscribers in 190 countries.
An indispensable resource for executives, designers, investors and students, BoF combines independent, agenda-setting journalism with strategic business advice, online learning, career-building tools and immersive events, driving smarter decision-making and powering positive change in fashion and the wider world.
The proud son of first generation immigrants from Kenya and Tanzania, Amed is Canadian by birth, Indian by ethnicity, East African by heritage, and a Londoner by choice. Amed has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a B.Com from McGill University and an honorary doctorate from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. Previously, he was a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. In 2017, Amed was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the fashion industry.
