Ms. Acra is a renowned international designer known for her breathtaking collections in Ready-to-Wear and Bridal. She combines tradition with a modern aesthetic and leads the way by continuously redefining the boundaries of fashion. She launched her eponymous line Reem Acra New York in 1997, and, after successfully establishing herself in the bridal market, expanded into Ready-to-Wear in 2008. Some of her notable accolades include being named the seventh Most Powerful Arab Woman in the World by Forbes magazine and the Building Bridges Award. Recently, in a bid to inspire young Arab women and aspiring designers and broaden her reach to this target group, Ms. Acra has co-created and starred on the hugely successful Middle Eastern reality TV show, Fashion Star, where she serves as the lead judge and mentor to 12 aspiring up-and-coming designers. Ms. Acra graduated from the American University of Beirut with a business degree. She later went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode in Paris.