LULU SHABELL MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST TANZANIAN NAMED TO THE BUSINESS OF FASHION 500
Lulu Shabell, Founder and CEO of LULUBELL Group, has been named in The Business of Fashion's BoF 500 Class of 2026, becoming the first Tanzanian ever to join the influential index of people shaping the global fashion industry.
The recognition reflects her contribution to advancing African fashion, connecting the continent's creative talent with international markets, and strengthening the commercial and cultural infrastructure around African creativity.
Shabell is among 100 new members announced on 2 October. Established in 2013, the index now comprises 1,713 people representing 104 nationalities.
Born in Kenya, Tanzanian by identity and heritage, with Ethiopian and Somali roots, and shaped by years living in the diaspora, including Switzerland, Shabell brings a cross-border perspective to African culture and creativity. Her work is grounded in cultural intelligence: understanding, translating and positioning African cultural capital within global systems while protecting its authorship, meaning and value.
"I'm deeply honoured to join the BoF 500. I think of the designers, artisans, colleagues and partners whose work and trust have made this journey possible. This recognition carries something of all of them," says Shabell.
Through LULUBELL Group, Shabell works at the intersection of culture and commerce, helping African fashion businesses grow through brand strategy, storytelling, market access and partnerships.
Over more than two decades, she has curated and supported more than 200 designers across international fashion weeks, exhibitions and trade platforms, including CANEX Presents Africa at Portugal Fashion, developed with Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus, and TRANOÏ Paris and
Tokyo. Her focus has always been the business behind fashion: production readiness, buyer relationships, investment, and long-term growth.
That commitment underpins ÀLKÉ, the pan-African cultural and economic institution she is building around Art, Legacy, Knowledge and Enterprise to protect African cultural knowledge and intellectual property while strengthening its economic value. For Shabell, the question is no longer how African creativity gains access to established global systems, but what institutions Africa must build so its cultural intelligence creates and retains value on its own terms.
"African designers and makers deserve to build lasting businesses from their talent and knowledge," Shabell adds. "That means investing in skills, production and routes to market, while protecting the heritage that makes their work distinctive. I hope this moment brings more people into that work."
A former United Nations professional with a background spanning hospitality and luxury across Africa and Europe, Shabell has advised organisations on creativity, sustainability and economic diversification. She has spoken at UNESCO, CNN Global Perspectives and SXSW London and is a columnist for Robb Report Africa.
The BoF 500 selection process draws on nominations from existing members, intelligence gathered around the world and research reviewed by BoF editors. It recognises influence across the industry, including contributions from people working behind the scenes and those shaping fashion beyond its traditional centres.
Shabell’s inclusion places her work within that global community and provides a further platform for her commitment to African creative enterprise.