As the golden glow of evening fills the bedroom, Ghizlan Guenez reclines elegantly on a plush chair, her form-fitting Max Mara sweater dress cocooning her in comfort. Around her, women chatter and laugh, changing outfits and sharing stories. The scene is intimate yet energetic – a reflection of the spaces Guenez loves to create. For her, every gathering is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and empower.

Born to Algerian parents, Guenez credits her father’s resilience and her mother’s love of beauty for shaping her vision. While financial challenges delayed her university education, Guenez’s determination never wavered. Balancing a full-time job with studying at the London School of Economics, she graduated with honours. That blend of grit and grace has become her hallmark.

In 2017, Guenez founded The Modist, the world’s first global e-commerce platform for modest fashion. It was a bold move that redefined how the world viewed modesty, offering chic, high-fashion options to women who wanted to dress according to their values without compromising style. When the Covid pandemic forced The Modist to close its doors, Guenez didn’t see it as an ending. Instead, it was the beginning of a new chapter. “Every setback is an opportunity,” she says. “It’s about what you do next.” And what Guenez did was nothing short of groundbreaking.

Her next venture, Queen Mode, fused fashion and technology in a way that challenged traditional industry norms. By integrating digital fashion and Web3 innovation, Guenez created a space where women could be more than consumers – they could be creators. “I kept asking myself, ‘How do we make sure women are at the forefront of this revolution?’” she says. Queen Mode became a platform for empowering women to lead in the fast-evolving digital space, offering them tools to innovate and thrive.

At the heart of everything Guenez does is a desire to uplift others. Whether she’s designing a digital fashion platform or mentoring a budding entrepreneur, her goal is the same: to inspire women to embrace their power and take charge of their destinies. Her latest endeavour, F Force, is a digital platform dedicated to personal development and entrepreneurship for women. Through workshops and mentorship, F Force has already transformed lives. Guenez recalls the story of a Palestinian lawyer who, after three years of struggling to launch her business, succeeded within three months of taking some F Force classes. 

“Stories like that are why I do this,” Guenez says, her voice filled with emotion. “It’s about unlocking potential and showing women what they’re truly capable of.” Despite the challenges women face – funding disparities, and societal expectations – Guenez remains optimistic. She believes in collaboration and community, advocating for supportive partnerships between men and women. Her philosophy is simple: “Together, we can break barriers.”

Looking to the future, Guenez is as ambitious as ever. While she’s tight-lipped about the specifics, she hints at projects that will continue to blend her passions for fashion, technology, and empowerment. “2025 is going to be about building,” she says.“It will be about taking risks, pushing boundaries, and creating something meaningful.”

As the conversation winds down, one thing becomes clear: Ghizlan Guenez isn’t just shaping industries – she’s shaping lives. Her journey, marked by vision, courage, and a relentless drive to help others, is a testament to what’s possible when you believe in yourself and those around you. In a world hungry for authentic leadership, Guenez stands out – a woman of grace, innovation, and unwavering purpose.

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