Karen Wazen

Karen Wazen Bakhazi is a Lebanese-born fashion influencer and entrepreneur based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She initially gained prominence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, by sharing content related to her personal style, family life, and fashion. Her authentic and relatable online presence quickly amassed a significant following, establishing her as a key figure in the Middle Eastern digital influencer landscape. This foundation in content creation and audience engagement provided the springboard for her transition into business.

Wazen's most significant contribution is the founding of her eponymous eyewear brand, 'Karen Wazen Eyewear,' launched in 2019. She identified a gap in the market for stylish, high-quality, and accessible sunglasses. The brand was notable for being entirely self-funded at its inception, a decision that highlighted her entrepreneurial independence. She leveraged her social media expertise to launch the brand directly to her audience, creating a successful direct-to-consumer business model that bypassed traditional retail channels.

Karen Wazen has had a dual impact on both the influencer marketing and entrepreneurial fields. In the business world, she demonstrated the powerful synergy between a strong personal brand and a consumer product launch. Her success inspired a wave of regional influencers to consider launching their own product-based ventures, moving beyond sponsored content. Within the fashion and eyewear industry, her brand brought a fresh, accessible, and trend-focused perspective to the Middle Eastern market, challenging established players and proving the commercial viability of influencer-founded brands.

Today, Karen Wazen continues to lead her eyewear brand as its creative director and owner. The company has expanded its product line to include optical glasses and has grown its retail presence through partnerships with major regional and international stockists. Alongside her business responsibilities, she remains an active and influential content creator, sharing aspects of her entrepreneurial journey, family, and fashion with her millions of followers. She has also begun using her platform to advocate for women's empowerment and entrepreneurship in the Middle East.

Karen Wazen is a Dubai-based fashion influencer, content creator, and entrepreneur. Originally from Lebanon, she first gained a significant public following by sharing her life, family moments, and personal style on social media platforms like Instagram. Her relatable and glamorous content resonated with a global audience, establishing her as a prominent digital personality. This online success provided the foundation for her transition from influencer to a serious business owner, launching her own commercial ventures.

Wazen matters because she represents a modern success story of leveraging a digital platform to build a tangible, consumer-focused brand. She demonstrated that an influencer's reach could be effectively channeled into a legitimate business, moving beyond sponsored posts to creating her own products. Her journey inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, showing that it is possible to build a career and a company from the ground up by authentically connecting with an audience. Furthermore, her brand's focus on accessible luxury in eyewear filled a specific gap in the market.

Karen Wazen is best known for founding her eponymous eyewear brand, 'Karen Wazen B.' Launched in 2019, the brand offers a wide range of sunglasses and optical frames that are chic, high-quality, and designed to be inclusive for all face shapes. The brand quickly became a favorite among her followers and celebrities alike, noted for its bold designs and wearability. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she is known for her candid and polished social media presence, where she shares insights into her life as a mother of three and her business journey, making her both aspirational and relatable.