Rastah’s Zain Ahmad joins BoF 500

Rastah creative director Zain Ahmad has been named to The Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, becoming the second Pakistani designer to join the list after Faraz Manan, as the Lahore based streetwear label expands its presence in international fashion.

Abdul Basit Khan

Editorial Researcher3 October 20262 min read

Image: WebPhoto: QOM

Lahore: Zain Ahmad, co founder and creative director of Pakistani fashion label Rastah, has been included in The Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, an index of people shaping the global fashion industry.

Ahmad is the second Pakistani designer included in the BoF 500, after Faraz Manan joined the list in 2024. The recognition follows Rastah’s expansion from a Lahore based label into an internationally recognised streetwear brand.

Founded in 2018, Rastah combines Pakistani textile and craft techniques with contemporary streetwear. International actors and musicians, including Timothée Chalamet, Justin Bieber, Zayn Malik, Riz Ahmed, Barry Keoghan and Anil Kapoor, have worn its pieces.

According to BoF, Rastah reached seven figures in revenue in 2025 without external investment. The publication said the label’s growth had contributed to a wider movement in Pakistan and South Asia in which designers are incorporating regional craftsmanship into contemporary clothing for international consumers.

The brand’s development has also taken it to major fashion markets. In 2023, Rastah became the first Pakistani label to showcase at London Fashion Week and has since expanded its international activity, including a pop up in New York.

Ahmad was previously included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2022 for his work with Rastah.

The BoF recognition comes as Rastah seeks to develop its commercial presence beyond celebrity placements and limited collections. The US has become an important market for the label, while its international appearances have opened doors in markets where Pakistani fashion has traditionally had a smaller presence.

Rastah’s growth also reflects an emerging segment of South Asian fashion focused on translating traditional textile practices into contemporary menswear and streetwear. For the Pakistani label, this has included working with local artisans and incorporating techniques associated with the country’s textile heritage into clothing designed for an international market.

Ahmad’s inclusion in the BoF 500 places a second Pakistani designer on the global fashion industry list within three years, following Manan’s selection in 2024.