Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 4273000, Fax: (+971) 4 4282261, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae
DUBAI MEDIA CITY SD 2-94, 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (+971) 4 390 3550, Fax: (+971) 4 390 4845
ABU DHABI PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: (+971) 2 677 2005, Fax: (+971) 2 677 0124, E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae
SAUDI ARABIA Regus Offices No. 455 - 456, 4th Floor, Hamad Tower, King Fahad Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: (+966) 11 834 3595 / (+966) 11 834 3596, E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae
LONDON Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae
EDITOR’S LETTER
The Strength to Start Over
They say that the only constant in the world is change. It’s a truism that everyone can relate to, I certainly do as I write this – my first Editor’s letter as the new Senior Editor of Emirates Woman. Stepping into the role just one month ago was a daunting undertaking. This is a magazine with a storied past and it holds a special place in the hearts of women in this region.
Launched in 1981, the publication was the first to truly celebrate the female narrative of the nation. It was a touchstone for many. A resource and a place to turn to be inspired. It’s a prestigious legacy and one I don’t take on lightly. This is why, with this issue, you will see a few gradual changes. There will, of course, be more to come as I spend the time needed to take stock of all the hard work that has come before and explore how best to craft the next chapter of the magazine as it enters its 45th year. But for now, think of this issue as an amuse bouche. A sneak preview, if you will, of the new direction I intend to take Emirates Woman.
But already there is so much to enjoy in this issue. First off, we have the debut monthly column of Morin Oluwole, the former Global Luxury Director at Meta, who now sits on the boards of brands like Breitling, Rituals, Mobkoi and Biologique Recherche. For her first column (page 86) she deftly takes on the topic of what it means to be a strong female leader in the modern age. Alia Al Shamsi certainly knows what it takes
to lead. She just announced the formation of her own art consultancy and shares (page 84) what it took for her to step out on her own as a cultural entrepreneur. And in the wake of all the recent engagement news flooding our feeds, we ask the question (page 80) “how can women keep from losing their sense of self once they say ‘I do’”.
These are just a few of the features worth diving into this issue, which is chock-a-block with profiles highlighting powerful women. Women who are displaying their strength in how they show up for each other, how they take care of themselves, and how they dare to follow their dreams.
Speaking of dreams… There’s still time to cast your vote for next month’s Emirates Woman Awards. The line up of incredibly accomplished women who have graced the pages of this magazine over the past year, and are in the running for the awards, is a true testament to the rich cultural tapestry that makes this region so exceptional.
I am honoured that, thanks to this esteemed publication, I will be able to continue to tell their stories.
Enjoy the issue.
jessica.michault@motivate.ae
FIRED UP
I pre-ordered months ago the book All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top, written by the dynamic duo Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill. The book is filled with candid interviews, actionable advice and a solid dollop of humour. Think of it as a girlfriend’s guide on how to shift perspectives on severing ties.
WE WANT IT
Raise your hand if you rewound (maybe a couple of times) that first kiss between Joanne and Noah in the debut season of Nobody Wants This. You’re in luck, the romantic comedy is back this month with season two. The full series drops on October 23rd.
IT’S SHOWTIME
I will be listening on repeat to The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, when it lands October 3rd. The prolific artist is also launching a two day release party, taking place only in movie theaters. I am not going to lie…I will be there on opening night.
Monitor News – The latest launches and hero buys to know about this October p.12
Social Listings – A curated guide of resilient accounts to #follow on Instagram this month p.13
Leather Weather – Soft and supple, yet strong and sturdy, these are pieces designed to withstand the season p.14
Homegrown Heroes – Our guide to the UAE’s female-founded labels to support p.28
Work It – This Fall, Dima Ayad’s vegan leather collection is not messing around p.54
We Mean Business – The perfect finishing touches to complete your power wardrobe p.66
Sleek Chic – Polished and practical, hardworking pieces with wardrobe staying power p.18
Shades of Power – The newest shades on the scene are defined by the striking contrast of structured metal and tried and true tortoise shell p.20
Every Second Counts –Statement watches that take the passage of time seriously p.22
Curve Appeal –Homegrown label
Absent Findings brings a unique new perspective to fashion p.24
Mode
Commanding Presence – Take on the urban jungle armoured in APM Monaco p.32
To The Manor Born – Burberry brings textural fabrics back for a strokeable FW25 collection p.42
Sartorial Armour – Four renowned stylists reveal how the conscious curation of your wardrobe is the ultimate act of power p.50
Feel Good Luxury –Mireia Llusia-Lindh, founder of handbag label DeMellier, has crafted a purpose-led brand that gives back in more ways than one p.60
The Muse Method –Two sisters transformed their Dubai home into the heart of a global fashion phenomenon, one hand-stitched abaya at a time p.74
CONTENTS
October 2025
Vision
A Creative Core – Her Excellency Hala Badri, the Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, reveals how purpose and possibility are shaping the next chapter of Dubai's cultural soul p.78
The Vow – How do we keep from losing ourselves when we finally say “I do”? p.80
Beyond Compare –Psychologist Hiba Salem explores the challenges of parenting in the age of comparison p.82
The Art of Resilience – Alia Al Shamsi opens up about how internal strength and authenticity shaped her journey from artist to cultural entrepreneur p.84
A Feminine Force
– Columnist Morin Oluwole explores the many faces of strength and how we can redefine female leadership p.86
Glow
Inside Out – Bespoke beauty with backbone: inside skincare extraordinaire Julie Lemke's namesake studio p.98
Alchemical Elegance – Hermès master perfumer, Christine Nagel reveals how a miracle berry became the foundation of the new Bérénia Intense fragrance p.102
Strength in Stillness –Six visionary women are redefining strength through community, intention, and the courage to listen p.106
The Weight of History –Mateen Shah, Founder of Assembly Vintage, on creating homes with pieces that spark conversation p.120
Hot New Buys – The definitive new beauty launches to know this month p.96
Beauty Shelf – Emirati fashion and lifestyle content creator Maitha talks us through her must-have beauty staples p.110
Handbag Heroes –These pint-sized beauty products are the perfect accessory for any globetrotting woman p.111
AM/PM Beauty – Hala Abdullah, the architect turned jewellery designer and founder of Ofa, shares her morning to evening beauty routine p.112
Abode
Ciao Bella – At Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, the Eternal City is lovingly embraced p.116
Choose from our extensive range of authentic Thesiger photographs.
PERFECT DECORATIONS
FOR HOTELS, OFFICES AND HOMES.
Framed or unframed prints available exclusively from The Arabian Gallery
CURATE
Find strength in…
– New citywear staples
– The return of leather looks
– Sleek urban ensembles
– Shades that mean business
– Timepieces that will get clocked
– A fashion brand with unique perspective
ANGLES OF ALLURE
For her first ever solo exhibition in the UAE, artist Banafsheh Hemmati presents in DIFC a collection of pieces designed to examine the living dialogue between the body, space and form. Titled Body Geometry, the exhibit focuses on architectural jewellery and sculptures that sit at the crossroads of art and design. A blend of symmetry, style and strength, the pieces are an elegant melange of openwork designs and the human form, creating an intimate conversation worth discovering. BodyGeometryisopentothe publicfrom9-31Octoberin SatelliteGallery,DIFC.
Feeling Powerful
The latest launches and hero buys to know about
WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
LUXURY ON THE STREET
SCHIAP IN THE CITY, is the name of Schiaparelli’s FW25 ready-to-wear collection. It’s a clever play on words that will speak to stylish urban women everywhere who are on the look out for outfits and accessories that stand out rather than slide by. The collection is full of eyecatching adornments, sculptural accents and a whole lot of sartorial attitude. The perfect armor for the concrete catwalks of the world.
THE HERO BUYS
Le Vestiaire des Parfums
Muse Eau de Parfum 35ml Dhs525 YSL Beauty
How to Wear Everything by Kay Barron Dhs98 Penguin Books
Hand-made abayas crafted to perfection by a bold designer duo.
@studiojulielemke
Skin is done differently at this new space founded by three women with a vision.
The Secretary-General elect at the UN Tourism.
A bag brand that creates pieces designed to both empower and give back.
Profound craftsmanship, exceptional materials, and timeless design.
This contemporary fashion jewellery brand designs for those who dare to be bold.
A Dubai-based creative consultant who is passionate about the art of experimentation.
The Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
An author, artist and independent curator on a mission to celebrate regional voices.
Social Listings
A curated guide of resilient accounts to #follow on Instagram
WORDS:
SARAH JOSEPH
@shaikha_nasser
@apmmonaco
@chantalbrocca
@halabadri
@aliaalshamsi
@hermes
@demellierlondon
Leather Weather
Soft and supple, yet strong and sturdy. These pieces are designed to withstand the whims of the season
COMPILED
BY:
CAMILLE MACAWILI
Squeeze Bag
Dhs16,150 Loewe
Opposite page: Kasha Belted Trench Coat
Dhs5,847 Nour
Hammour, available at NET-A-PORTER
Christopher
Dhs4,950
Dhs26,500
Draped Leather Dress Dhs15,960
Esber, available at Moda Operandi
Patent Leather Pumps
Gucci
Brushed Leather Pumps Dhs5,500 Prada
Drawstring Leather Jumpsuit
Phoebe Philo
Éclair Bag Dhs1,387 Verafied
Beren 85 Leather Boots Dhs5,850 Jimmy Choo
Distressed Leather Coat Dhs2,800 Massimo Dutti
Leather Midi Dress Dhs6,650 Victoria Beckham
Arco KneeHigh Boots
Dhs7,300 Fendi
Paola Leather Clutch Dhs14,200 Gabriela Hearst
Fame Pumps Dhs1,836 Jude
Gathered Jacket Dhs17,310 Chloé
Dhs388
High-Waisted
Dhs361
SLEEK CHIC
Polished and practical, these hardworking pieces have wardrobe staying power
COMPILED BY: CAMILLE MACAWILI
Chunky Square Huggie
Earrings Dhs472
Otiumberg; Right: Max
Cinched Waist Blazer
Meshki; Penelope
Pants
Meshki
Right: Ribbed Cashmere Polo Shirt Dhs7,600 Gucci; Cate Calf-Hair Tote Dhs22,600 Khaite; Leather Loafers Dhs3,685 Tod’s, available at Level Shoes; Royal Oak Selfwinding Watch POA Audemars Piguet
From top: Anok 105 Pumps Dhs3,745 Amina Muaddi, available at OUNASS; Polo Bodysuit Dhs269 LIMÉ; Wool Jumpsuit Dhs13,535 Givenchy, available at NET-A-PORTER; Reverso Tribute Chronograph POA Jaeger Le-Coultre; Medium Parachute Shoulder Bag Dhs19,900 Bottega
Farida Dress
Dhs2,400 Bouguessa; Below: Peri Striped Shirt Dhs653 The Frankie Shop
Veneta
COMPILED BY: SARAH JOSEPH
Shades of Power
The newest shades on the scene are defined by the striking contrast of structured metal and tortoise shell
Oval Sunglasses
Dh1,290 Alaïa
Triomphe 17 Sunglasses in Acetate Dhs2,060 Celine
Marcie Sunglasses Dhs2,135 Chloé
Sunglasses Dhs136,500 Cartier
Drop Aviator Sunglasses Dhs2,775
Bottega Veneta
Women’s Side T-Bar Sunglasses Dhs1,872 Alexander McQueen
The Alba Sunglasses Dhs1,620 Jacquemus
Miu Regard Sunglasses Dhs1,800 Miu Miu
Tadao Ando x Serpenti Tubogas Limited Edition Single-Spiral Watch
Dhs166,000 Bvlgari
Première Cuff Watch Dhs42,300 Chanel
Tank à Guichets Watch
Dhs192,000 Cartier
COMPILED BY: SARAH
JOSEPH
EVERY SECOND COUNTS
Statement watches that take the passage of time seriously
Dhs528,143
Patek Philippe
Stainless Steel and Diamond Happy Sport Oval Watch Dhs45,800 Chopard
Dhs178,000 Van
& Arpels
Dhs296,700
Stainless Steel Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar Watch 42mm
Shivin Singh, the founder and creative director of Absent Findings, exudes a quiet aura when you meet him. It makes for a rather striking contrast to the boldness of his designs, which include the outfit he is wearing as we met up to discuss the origin story of the brand he founded in Dubai. The wool suit immediately demands some closer inspection. With its printed trimmings from an heirloom sari that has been passed down through generations, it speaks to the idea of finding modernity through an exploration of heritage. On the table in front of us sits another one of his unique offerings, a signature Absent Findings bag, designed with a distinct undulating silhouette. “This shape comes from a building in Chandigarh, India. It’s called The Palace of Assembly, and it’s designed by Le Corbusier, and that is kind of the main inspiration for the shape of the handbag – the repeating curved lines – which have kind of become a motif for Absent Findings. The top handle is something that really just came to me in a dream,” explains Singh.
In 2022, fresh from graduating from Polimoda in Firenze, Italy, the designer found himself working in Gucci’s handbag department. During this stint, he was based in Scandicci, near Florence, where he spent a year acting as a middleman between the design and commercial teams. The role involved understanding customer preferences, tracking competitor moves, and ensuring design elements were commercially viable. An interesting “behind the curtain” peek into the inner workings of how a major fashion powerhouses balance creativity with commerce. It was an experience that turned out to be an invaluable one for Singh, where he learned the mechanics of luxury and gained an understanding of the business of fashion.
Building something of his own was never Singh’s original plan, but within that first year at Gucci, the urge to create something unique and personal could no longer be ignored. It came about while identifying a gap in the market: “When it comes to a top-handle bag, it’s all very formulaic. The majority are rectangular shapes, with the two top handles,” remembers Singh. “I was like, okay, there’s a big market here. Because there are people, for example, friends of my mother or some of my other friends, who are real collectors of bags. They’ve collected the cool bags to have, and now they want something new, something drastic.” By mid-2023, the designer was sketching and prototyping independently in small batches, and sourcing deadstock fabrics from Prato, slowly building relationships with Italian suppliers. In March 2024, Absent Findings soft launched at BRED in Abu Dhabi, a week-long neo-culture festival that showcases the best of the culture and streetwear scene in and out of the region. By September 2024, the brand officially launched with eight looks, which have since become the label’s signatures.
So what about the name?
Singh explains that it was born when he came to realise that, while studying business at the University of Illinois,
it was in those empty moments of his day that he discovered what his calling was. “While I was absent from doing what I was supposed to be doing, going to class, studying Finance… I found something that I was kind of meant to be doing, basically. So that became Absent Findings,” he says.
Blending South Asian heritage with a modern aesthetic, Absent Findings differentiates itself by offering non-formulaic designs. This is most clearly seen in the top-handle of its signature handbag. Countering the dominance of rectangular silhouettes, it avoids the trap of logo over-branding, allowing craftsmanship, cultural representation, and proportion to
speak. Singh shares, “That is basically the essence of what I’m trying to push, where design has to speak, you know, no logos, no graphic tees, nothing but good design and good craftsmanship, because that is something that I’m obsessed with.” He adds, “I don’t want to spell things out for people. I want people to have a cerebral reaction to what I’m creating.”
The brand positions itself within contemporary luxury, with accessible price points that signal intent to showcase pure talent – and the reception so far has been promising.
Singh fondly shares that this makes perfect sense for an emerging label in order to build trust within the fashion industry and win over new customers. He talks passionately about his ambitions to be recognised alongside designers like Jonathan Anderson, who has successfully pivoted Loewe into a commercial success.
From the start, sustainability has been a non-negotiable for the founder. The brand takes pride in slow, sustainable production processes, reflecting a commitment to craft rather than volume. Everything is made in-house and locally in the UAE, where a small team – including family members – handle the work. Singh shares that he also intends to create one-ofa-kind pieces that have their own story, “I’m sustaining memories through upcycling, using those fabrics in my garments in a more contemporary, more stylised way, which completely reflects my own taste.” For now, Absent Findings is still in its infancy, but the vision is clear and expansive. “I see Absent Findings as kind of… not a lifestyle brand, but a way of thinking, a way of approaching life,” reflects the designer. He hopes to move into furniture and curatorial projects, all while maintaining artistic integrity, growing commercially, and providing a source of inspiration to other aspiring younger designers in the UAE.
Available at Ether by Cloud Spaces in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi and online at www.absentfindings.com
Shivin Singh, Founder and Creative Director of Absent Findings
MODE
Build out your winter wardrobe with…
– Female owned labels from the UAE
– APM Monaco’s eye-catching parures
– Burberry’s feel-good fashion
– Staples that stylists turn to
– Dima Ayad’s take on leather
– DeMellier’s intentional designs
– Accessories that put in the work
– Muse’s inclusive perspective
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
With so many male designers debuting at top tier fashion houses around the world, let's shine some light on one of the few women stepping into the Creative Director’s role. Veronica Leon’s first collection for Calvin Klein is hitting stores now. Grounded in the brand’s minimalistic Americana aesthetic, the collection, filled with neutral hues and wardrobe staple silhouettes, is designed for heavy rotation. Pieces, including three runway looks being sold exclusively on Mytheresa, will work as hard as the women who wear them, proving that Leoni profoundly understands her audience.
HOMEGROWN HEROES
Our guide to the UAE’s female-founded labels to support
NÓRA
WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
When women advocate for each other, positive change is inevitable. Case in point: the number of female-led brands in the UAE are flourishing thanks to waves of women endorsing them with their hard earned cash. From cuttingedge beauty houses to visionary concept destinations, the landscape here thrives on elevating women’s voices and spotlighting the extraordinary talents that are reshaping every corner of the region’s creative and entrepreneurial spaces.
NÓRA
NÓRA is a UAE-based label focused on timeless pieces. From sophisticated co-ord sets to limited-edition, off-shoulder dresses, these capsule pieces are designed with a sensual elegance. The brand aims to be the go-to destination for women’s clothing and lifestyle inspiration in the MENA region. Since its inception, the label has experienced exponential growth, expanding tenfold and dressing thousands of young women across the region and beyond. noralabel.com
L’Afshar
Founded in Dubai, L’Afshar was started by Lilian Afshar in 2013 as a handbag brand but has expanded over the years to include objets d’art and furniture. Designed for the sophisticated woman who likes minimal, architectural designs with a soupçon of playfulness, the brand is made with luxurious yet industrial elements. Stocked at prestige retailers like NET-A-PORTER, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Harvey Nichols L’Afshar has fans that range from Queen Rania to Kendall Jenner, proving its international appeal. lafshar.com
Enso Design Lab™
Founded by Ani Han, Enso Design Lab is all about creating refined, minimalistic and timeless pieces – be it jewellery, objets d’art or homeware
Enso Design Lab™
L’Afshar
– that have evergreen mindfulness in their execution. There is a sense of true purpose and taking the time to execute an idea well and with good intentions in each pair of undulating earrings, sculpted ring, carved wooden tray, asymmetrical mirror or clear glass decanter. The world that Ani has created with her brand is meditative in its design and feels as if it has been crafted with positivity at its heart. ensodesignlab.com
SCULP
Co-Founded in 2024 in Dubai by Aisha Abdulaziz, SCULP’s mission is to empower individuals to reach their full potential through a collection of garments made out of feather-thread; an antimicrobial fabric that gives a slight compression when slipped on. Designed for women on the go, the pieces work just as well for trips to the gym or going for a run, as they do for school drop off or casual weekend wear. The SCULP designs complement modern woman’s active lifestyle. And its commitment to innovation and functionality sets the label apart from other brands in this category, allowing women to move with confidence and style throughout the day. sculp.shop
HALA
Founded by Hala Al Shammari, this fashion label forgoes season in favour of drops of more evergreen designs, crafted for women who like both timeless silhouettes and a touch of the unexpected. “A trademark of HALA’s design philosophy is the juxtaposition of clean, elegant front designs with unexpected, captivating twists at the back, such as my personal favourite, the backless cut,” Al Shammari tells Emirates Woman. Launched in Dubai with the intention to uplift Arab women in the region, this label is growing a solid reputation for its sophisticated pieces that can be worn all year round. by-hala.com
Godalia
When founder Alena Godalia launched her signature brand in 2019 she wanted to design a practical wardrobe of staple pieces for women looking for wardrobe ease. The mission: to create highquality and stylish linen garments that are great building blocks for any occasion. The designs, often sold as sets for an even more frictionless buying experience, focus on versatility. The aim is to bring together the comfort of the breathable fabric with high-quality tailoring and classic designs, so that everyone can feel stylish and confident, regardless of the occasion or event. godalia.store
Nine Frames
This independent Dubai-based eyewear brand creates timeless, high-quality sunglasses with a modern twist. Every pair is crafted using premium materials and designed to elevate everyday style. Nine Frames combines durability, style and eco-conscious design, offering sunglasses that are both a fashion statement and a collectible piece. To make shopping easier the labels website offers a virtual “try-on” tool, allowing customers to see how each style looks on them before purchasing. nineframes.me
SCULP
beAthletica
Feel good and look good in beAthletica thanks to the brand’s core mission to only use deadstock fabrics for its collections. Designed and manufactured in the UAE, the brand takes its aesthetic inspiration from ‘90s varsity styles and early 00’s tennis attire, resulting in a sporty and playful line up of looks. Each garment blends functionality with fashion, while its ethical production transparency supports an everyday active lifestyle in a mindful way. Founded by Gauri Sarma, the brand has also cracked the code when it comes to desirability – as every drop is dictated by the deadstock available, once a style is sold out, it’s really gone, so there is no time to waste when it comes to snapping up a favourite look. beathletica.com
Suncillo
Founded by Algerian designer Ludmilla Laradi, Suncillo is a swimwear brand that is all about making women feel confident and empowered in what they wear. Each collection builds on the last and the brand has now expanded to also include beach-ready resortwear as well. For the founder it was important to create designs that would inspire women to be bold, free-spirited and unapologetically themselves. suncillo.com
Quab
Recently launched in Dubai, Quab is a readyto-wear fashion brand that celebrates the rich craftsmanship of South Asia while blending it with modern, accessible style. Founded by Nupur Mohanty, the brand, which means “dream” in Hindi, was inspired by Mohanty’s maternal grandmother, who had a long held desire to create a fashion brand that would celebrate the beauty of the Indian textiles she had grown up with. Thanks to Quab, that cultural heritage can find a new audience looking to connect to the authenticity and artistry of South Asia and its fabrics. quabofficial.com
Gabi
Infused with strong Emirati traditions, Gabi has quickly become the go-to fashion brand in the region. Founded by sisters Waad and Sheyma Al Hammadi, the pieces are designed for all occasions thanks to a one-size-fits-all mantra. With a less-is-more approach, each piece makes a striking impact through clean lines and structured tailoring. gabidubai.com
Quab
Gabi
This page: Automne Bold Green and Blue Earrings; Automne Bold Green and Blue Chain Necklaces; Automne Bold Green and Blue Ring; Automne Bold Green and Blue Bracelet; All APM Monaco
COMMANDING PRESENCE
Take on the urban jungle armoured in APM Monaco
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMER MOHAMAD
FASHION EDITOR: CAMILLE MACAWILI
MAKEUP & HAIR: GIANLUCA CASU MODEL: ANA DE JESUS SILVA
Left page: Morse
Code Green Safety Pin Adjustable Necklace; APM Monaco
This page: Yacht Club Dainty Adjustable Necklaces; Yacht Club Dainty Hoop Earrings; Yacht Club Dainty Bracelets; Yacht Club Dainty Ring; All APM Monaco
This page: Morse Code Green Safety Pin Adjustable Necklace; Morse Code Bonheur Morse Code Bangles; Morse Code Love, Smile, Bonheur Safety Pin Rings; Yacht Club Green Pavé Ring; All APM Monaco
Left page: Yacht Club
Dainty Adjustable
Necklaces; Yacht Club
Dainty Hoop Earrings; Yacht Club Dainty Bracelets; Yacht Club
Dainty Ring; All APM Monaco
This page: Automne Up and Down Hoop Earrings; Automne Up and Down Chokers; Automne Up and Down Bracelets; Automne Up and Down Rings; All APM Monaco
Left page: Automne Up and Down Rings; All APM Monaco
This page: Automne Statement Pavé Drop Earrings; Automne Statement Pavé Choker; Automne Statement Pavé Cuffs; Automne Statement Pavé Rings; All APM Monaco
STYLING WITH THANKS TO BLOOMINGDALE’S MIDDLE EAST AND MAGDA BUTRYM; LOCATION WITH THANKS TO SIRO ONE ZA’ABEEL
TO THE MANOR BORN
Burberry brings touchy-feely fabrics back for a textural FW25 collection
SARTORIAL
Four renowned stylists reveal how the conscious curation of your wardrobe is the ultimate act of power
In the realm of personal style, clothing transcends its primary function. It becomes a dialect, a non-verbal lexicon of identity and intent. Through wardrobes, women are able to shapeshift, inspire, and showcase who they truly are. Emirates Woman convened with four of the region’s most distinctive stylists – Chantal Brocca, Muzi Sufi, Oumayma Elboumeshouli, and Jade Chilton – to explore this intricate relationship between the wardrobe and the will. Their philosophies, though born from unique journeys, converge on a singular truth: authentic style is the ultimate expression of personal power.
Chantal Brocca
For Chantal Brocca, style is a philosophical pursuit, a radical act of authenticity in a world saturated with commercial noise. An economist by training, her entry into fashion was a conscious rebellion against systemic homogenization. Her formative education occurred not in ateliers, but in
Chantal Brocca
ARMOUR
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
Oumayma Elboumeshouli
the sprawling vintage markets of Paris, which she describes as a universe blissfully divorced from billboards and influencers. “It was so free,” she recalls. “There were no trends. It was just your eyes and your fire and what you love.” This experience became the bedrock of her belief that the modern fashion industry often “strips the meaning of political, social, cultural, artistic movements… strips it of its power.” For Brocca, this erosion of narrative is an erosion of self. “The clothes that we wear and the objects that surround us, they help us to define our identity – they’re a mirror,” she asserts. When that mirror reflects a self curated by algorithms rather than inner desire, we cede our power, trading stability for anxiety, individuality for inclusion in a relentless rat race.
Her prescription is a process of profound realignment: a digital detox, a conscious seeking of beauty in the unexpected, and a fearless, free-flow experimentation with style. “It’s the practice of removing yourself from doubt,” she advises. “If your instinct says pick it, before your mind can come in with ‘maybe,’ just pick it. Just go with it.”
Oumayma Elboumeshouli
Oumayma Elboumeshouli’s found fashion in pursuit of her voice. “I was really looking for me as a personality,” she confesses, describing her younger self as an introvert yearning to express a creativity she felt bubbling within. Fashion became, her outlet and eventually her profession.
Her style evolution (chronicled from the early days of the digital community on Lookbook.nu) was a 15-year excavation to find her authentic sartorial signature. Now, her strength is articulated through a uniform of powerful, almost architectural silhouettes. For important client meetings or days requiring an extra dose of fortitude, her prescription is unequivocal. “Always wear a big, oversized shoulders, and some killer pointy heels under your trousers,” she states. “And everyone says it. Everyone’s like, okay, whoa, you look so powerful.”
Sufi recalls. This daily ritual of self-respect became her blueprint for sartorial strength. This sentiment finds a powerful echo in Oumayma Elboumeshouli’s philosophy, for whom getting dressed is a direct conduit to confidence. “If you look good, you feel good, right?” Elboumeshouli states with refreshing clarity.
Sufi observes Dubai’s evolving fashion scene as a crucible for this newfound, collective strength. She sees the rise of regional designers as a fundamental reclamation of narrative. “With regional designers amplifying their position within the GCC, I think it’s a beautiful way to take back the mic,” she says. This reclamation empowers a generation to “feel connected to fashion, to feel like it’s not within the realm of impossible to come from somewhere different and make something beautiful.”
Jade Chilton
Crucially, her strength is defined by dressing for herself. She consciously chooses pieces that defy expectation, that prioritise her comfort and her vision of power over external validation. Her advice is liberation through joyful experimentation. “Just take risks, go for something that you would not usually go for and then see how you can own it.” She concludes with a mantra: “never be scared of what other people think. So just own it.”
Muzi Sufi
Muzi Sufi’s strength is inherited through a legacy of quiet elegance. Her first interaction with fashion is not a memory of a garment, but an emotion, watching her mother prepare for the day. “She would be doing something as simple as going to the grocery store and she was always put together,”
“I don’t like to follow trends… I’m all about longevity in my wardrobe.” – JADE CHILTON
Her personal wardrobe is composed of deliberate, powerful details. “I love adding certain elements to every outfit, like a power shoulder with a cinched waist or a pointy toe to a wide leg trouser.” She often blends masculine and feminine elements to create a “bold contrast which translates into my definition of strength.” It is a uniform for the modern woman – subtly architectural, undeniably impactful.
Jade Chilton
With a career spanning two decades, Jade Chilton possesses the expertise of a seasoned professional. Her perspective is grounded, her aesthetic defined by a bohemian spirit that values timelessness over trendiness. “I don’t like to follow trends, I’m all about longevity in my wardrobe,” she states. Her strength is synonymous with freedom – the freedom to wear a beloved silk gown for three years running, indifferent to who has seen it before.
She observes how women wield fashion as a deliberate psychological tool. “They can use it as a way to to feel good, to feel put together,” she notes. On days she feels nervous, she invests in that feeling, choosing an outfit that is “100% comfortable, but also [makes me] feel put together.” This is not vanity; it is strategy. It is the understanding that a composed exterior can consciously scaffold an uncertain interior. Chilton defines this not as a loud, aggressive force, but as a “soft strength.” It is the power of self-belief, articulated
“I love adding certain elements to every outfit, like a power shoulder with a cinched waist or a pointy toe to a wide leg trouser.” – MUZI SUFI
through confidence and kindness. It’s the strength found in the flow of a chiffon skirt, the weight of a layered necklace, the comfort of a well-worn boot. A deeply personal armour that allows the true self to stand firm and flourish.
From Brocca’s philosophical deconstruction and Sufi’s maternal lessons, to
Elboumeshouli’s transformative blazers and Chilton’s timeless gowns, the message is resoundingly clear from these four women: that fashion’s highest purpose is as a conduit to the self. It is a tool for reclamation, for defining beauty on one’s own terms. It is a form of armour, constructing a visual persona that protects, empowers,
and projects inner confidence outward. It is a source of joy, finding liberation in the daily act of creation that is getting dressed. True sartorial strength is the quiet power of knowing who you are and dressing her with purpose. As these women prove, the most powerful outfit you will ever wear is your individuality, artfully expressed.
Muzi Sufi
WORK IT
DIMA AYAD’S VEGAN LEATHER COLLECTION MEANS BUSINESS
Feel Good Luxury
Mireia Llusia-Lindh, founder of the handbag label DeMellier, has crafted a purpose-led brand that gives back in more ways than one
WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI
Idon’t think I chose an easy path, but I just don’t give up until I reach whatever goal I have,” says Mireia Llusia-Lindh, the founder of the handbag brand DeMellier. She isn’t kidding. During our conversation, between the bouts of bad wifi and frozen screen pauses, her drive and determination still comes across loud and clear as she recounts how her goal was to build a company with a calling. One far broader than just selling another elegant handbag. After all, the world already has plenty of those.
There are many fronts on which DeMellier differentiates itself from other quiet luxury accessory brands on the market. The practical and posed bags are conceived by an all-female design team, they are crafted ethically and sustainably in Europe, and each bag sold translates into lives being saved (more on that later).
“I felt very strongly when I started, that I wanted the brand to reflect my values. Doing things properly and ethically, sustainably, and empowering women. And then, giving back to those who need it most,” the Barcelonaborn founder shares. Using her life savings, Llusia-Lindh launched her brand in London in 2017 as a one-woman operation. She was committed to threading the luxury needle
and positioned DeMellier between traditional top tier designer brands and the more mass market offerings. Since then, the founder has expertly carved out a space for her company that combines refined design with a more attainable price point (think Dhs1,300 to Dhs3,000 for a bag). She first identified this gap in the market during her years in management consulting and at Harvard Business School. And now, with a team of 60 in London and another 250 artisans working in the brand’s factory, it’s clear that LlusiaLindh has found a designer sweet spot.
From day one, giving back has also been an integral part of the brand’s DNA, making philanthropy a brand pillar rather than an afterthought. Through the permanent initiative “A Bag, A Life”, each purchase of a DeMellier funds life-saving vaccines. “From the beginning, we partnered with a charity called SOS Children’s Villages, which is the largest orphan charity in the world, and they support mainly orphan or unaccompanied children,” shares LlusiaLindh. “We fund vaccines and medical treatments for children in need, because in some of those countries, one out of six deaths in children are from preventable causes, which is truly heartbreaking. As a mother of three, I cannot comprehend that,” she adds.
Mireia LlusiaLindh, founder of DeMellier
With such a strong female founder it’s no wonder that DeMellier’s A/W 2025 collection is an ode to individuality and empowerment. Photographed in 1970s office interiors in Canary Wharf’s financial district, the campaign features a businesswoman who has built a career in a space historically dominated by men. Structured and sculptural, the bags are designed as modern armour, as emblems of resilience and identity, and reflections of responsibility. As Llusia-Lindh explains, “We don’t have to compromise with femininity, we don’t need to compromise our values to be at the top of our industries. This was kind of a visual representation of that. So hopefully you felt that when you saw the images.”
The narrative of the campaign, women navigating leadership, ambition, and authenticity, resonates particularly in the Middle East, where DeMellier has found one of its fastest-growing markets, where larger silhouette bags, such as the Hudson and New York styles, are the best sellers. “When they are wearing our bags, we want women to feel strong and empowered and good about themselves – it’s more than just carrying a bag. Hopefully, you know you’re carrying the bags we believe in and that the women share this with us.”
“I felt very strongly when I started, that I wanted the brand to reflect my values. Doing things properly and ethically, sustainably, and empowering women. And then, giving back to those who need it most”
Looking ahead, DeMellier is committed to deepening its presence in the Middle East through partnerships and closer engagement with clients. The region’s appreciation for craftsmanship, coupled with its alignment in values of resilience and responsibility, makes it a natural home for the brand. “We see so much potential. So we are super excited, actually, about the Middle East. We have some great wholesale partners already in the Middle East.” The brand’s success has allowed Llusia-Lindh to now focus her energy more on the artistic direction of the company. It is a natural evolution, combining her business background with the influence of her mother, an artist. “My father was in business, and my mother was very creative,” recounts the founder – who admits she feels at ease managing both the business side and the creative components of her company. “It’s just that as you grow more and more, you don’t have the time for everything. So I will continue to guide the business side, but less of the day-to-day, basically. And then, focus on the creative – the vision of the brand, aesthetics, photo shoots, and how the store should look, which I’m still very much involved in.”
Strength, as the latest DeMellier collection reminds us, is multifaceted. It is expressed in the curve of a sculptural handle, in the choice of sustainable materials, in the permanence of a philanthropic initiative, and in the steady vision of a founder who built a brand from the ground up. What sustains her? The grit, resilience, and support of her family, especially her daughters. “I have three daughters, and that’s probably the greatest source of strength that both my husband and I have.”
This page: Sienna Shoulder Bag GUCCI; Right page: Serpenti Tubogas Watch BVLGARI
WE MEAN BUSINESS
The perfect finishing touches to complete your power wardrobe
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK MATHEW
Left page:Tank Américaine Watch CARTIER; This page:Teen Triomphe Bag CELINE
This page: D-Frame Glasses BALENCIAGA EYEWEAR; Right page: Top Handle Bag MIU MIU
Enchaîné Bag PRADA
Large Blade Bangles; Small Spiral Hoop Earrings; All ALAÏA
Sisters Maryam and Sarah Fizel transformed their Dubai home into the heart of a global fashion phenomenon, one handstitched abaya at a time
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
The METHOD MUSE
The most powerful empires often rise from the most unexpected places. For Muse, the Dubai-born label that has captivated a global audience, its headquarters was a spare room in a family home. Its boardroom was the dining table. Its most cherished focus groups were two little girls draping themselves in swathes of fabric. Sisters Maryam and Sarah Fizel sit together, in their now famous HQ surrounded by moodboards, fabric swatches and shoot images as, they tell the story of how they built an international brand, while navigating the beautiful, chaotic symphony of motherhood.
Muse emerged in 2021 from a pure, personal yearning. “It started from our own need,” Maryam recalls. “We were looking for abayas that were modern, elegant, and truly reflected our personal style, but we couldn’t find them.” Dissatisfied with the modest wear available, the sisters began experimenting. Their initial creative process a whirlwind of swatches and prototypes that overtook Maryam’s room. What began as a solution for their own wardrobes quickly resonated. “We made a few pieces for ourselves, and the response from friends and family was immediate. They all wanted one,” says Sarah. “That’s when we knew we were onto something.”
Their instinct was right. Their Instagram reels, showcasing unique prints and coordinated abaya-and-sheila sets, struck a chord far beyond their immediate circle, captivating fashion conscious women worldwide. “It was surreal. One day we were packing orders on the living room floor, and the next, our notifications were exploding with orders from the US, the UK, Australia,” Sarah recounts. Almost overnight, their following expanded to over 90,000, and their Dubai home was inundated. Each garment was still packed with care from their now famous spare roomturned-global-headquarters, a testament to their handson ethos. “We were determined that every customer felt the love and intention we put into each piece, even if we were working around the clock to do it,” Maryam shares.
The Fizel sisters’ partnership is the foundation of Muse, a study in complementary contrasts. Maryam, the older sister and a gifted mathematician, provides the structural integrity – the logistics, budgets, and operational spine. Sarah, the younger sister, is the creative visionary, driven by psychology and narrative, who gave the brand its unfiltered digital voice. “We balance each other out – she’s more creative, I’m more logical,” Maryam explains with a laugh. Their dynamic thrives on a friction that fuels innovation. “It’s the tension that makes it work,” Sarah confirms. “I dream, she decides. That’s how Muse survives.”
This delicate balance was profoundly tested and ultimately strengthened by motherhood. Maryam, with her two daughters, and Sarah with her one, found their personal and professional worlds merging completely. The atelier became a nursery; business meetings were conducted with toddlers playing at their feet. “Motherhood stripped away the luxury of time,” Sarah reflects. The pressure of managing a viral brand with less than two hours of dedicated work time a day forced a crystal clear clarity. Failure was no longer an option; every decision, from design to dispatch, became an exercise in profound intention.
In a digital era obsessed with polished perfection, Muse’s ascent was fuelled by radical authenticity. Sarah’s approach to social media was to treat it like an open diary, sharing not only the flawless final products but also the messy, beautiful reality of their journey. “I never wanted to present a facade. We showed the late nights, the fabric spills, the kids running through the background. That was our real life,” she says. This vulnerability became
their greatest asset. Followers weren’t just customers; they were confidantes, bearing witness to the real-life challenges and triumphs of two sisters building a brand while raising families.
Their designs, bold prints, unexpected textures, and elegantly coordinated sets, did the rest. The aesthetic, a masterful blend of timeless modesty and modern elegance, proved irresistible. It was a language of style that spoke to a generation of women seeking to express their identity without compromise, turning their Instagram feed into a destination for discovery.
For the sisters, strength is defined by quiet perseverance. It is the daily choice to move forward, even amidst doubt and exhaustion. This ethos is woven into the very fabric of Muse’s legacy, which extends far beyond beautiful garments. From its inception, the brand has been rooted in a powerful mission of empathy. A portion of every collection’s proceeds supports orphans and humanitarian causes, a commitment that forms the brand’s unwavering moral compass. “This isn’t a marketing strategy; it is the very reason we push forward,” the duo affirm. As Sarah reveals, they share a “bigger vision with the belief that we could build a global brand with its heart in giving back. That gave us a reason to push when it felt easier to quit.”
The Muse woman embodies this spirit. She is confident without being performative, modern and intentional, not a blind follower to trends. She is the woman who sees herself reflected in the brand’s authenticity and finds a quiet power in its pieces. She is, as Sarah envisions, someone who “chooses what feels true to her, not what she’s told to wear.”
Looking forward, the sisters envision an expanded universe for the brand with plans to add modest dresses, co-ords, and perfumes into the mix – all created with the same unwavering ethos. But the core will remain. Muse is a testament to a different way of building: slowly, together, and with heart. It stands as proof that true influence is not measured in viral moments or revenue, but in the quiet impact of a garment made with intention, the strength of a community built on authenticity, and the ability to give back with purpose.
VISION
Be empowered by
– Dubai’s dedication to celebrating culture
– Learning how to not lose yourself in marriage
– Parenting without comparing
– A woman betting on herself
– Being a strong leader
IF THESE HANDS COULD TALK
The new exhibition, SILA – All That is Left to You, on display at the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah until January 5th, 2026, is a nuanced and meaningful celebration of the embroidery craft of Tatreez. A traditional form of Palestinian embroidery, this weaving technique is a vibrant handicraft and cultural symbol of Palestinian identity, resilience, and heritage. One of the most striking pieces in the show is designer Nada Debs’ Nakhle cabinet. As the name suggests, the piece is lovingly hand embroidered to allude to the palm tree. Debs, who is opening her flagship studio in Alserkal next month, crafted a geometric interpretation of the tree brought to life across the cabinet via Fallahi embroidery, a cross-stitch technique preserved and transmitted through generations of female artisans. The result is hypnotic and worth seeing up close and personal at the heartfelt SILA exhibition.
A CREATIVE CORE
From the spiritual strength instilled by her family to her visionary leadership that empowers a generation, Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, reveals how purpose and possibility are shaping the next chapter of Dubai’s cultural soul
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
My deepest strength comes from my family, my mother and daughter, and the spiritual grounding my grandmother instilled in me as a child,” shares Her Excellency Hala Badri, revealing the profound personal foundation that underpins her very public success. This wellspring of resilience fuels the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, a leader who has been instrumental in shaping the Emirate’s rapid ascent as one of the world’s leading cultural and creative hubs. She doesn’t just wear multiple hats, she is the hatmaker herself, leading each of her prestigious roles with a hands-on creativity that is actively reshaping the city’s landscape.
However, H.E. Hala Badri’s path to this pivotal position wasn’t a linear one; it was forged through a rich tapestry of experiences across diverse industries. This unique background informs her visionary approach, which is reflected in long-term frameworks such as the Design Sector Strategy 2033 and initiatives that bring creativity into everyday spaces. Determined to keep the city’s arts scene at the forefront of innovation, the programmes she champions – from the Cultural Grant Programme to major international partnerships – have firmly placed the Emirate on the global arts map, strengthening its presence through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network and collaborations with design capitals like London, Milan, and Osaka.
In a conversation aligned with this issue’s theme of ‘Strength,’ H.E. Hala Badri reveals that her power stems not from title or tenure, but from a profound sense of stewardship. “Strength is not about power in isolation but about possibility,” she reflects. “In culture, it means creating an environment where ideas can flourish, where heritage is preserved while new expressions are welcomed.” For Excellency, true strength is measured not only by the policies shaped but by the people enabled: “the artists, designers, writers, and entrepreneurs who carry our story forward,” she says.
This collaborative strength is visibly paying dividends for women across the UAE. H.E. Hala Badri points to substantial growth beyond mere numbers. “Today, women in the UAE are at the forefront of progress, defining strategies, budgets, and public agendas,” she notes, highlighting that at Dubai Culture, women constitute 60% of the workforce and a remarkable 80% of the leadership. This is no accident – it’s the result of decades of purposeful policy.
When asked about her advice to the next generation of Emirati women, she says it is to “embrace the power of their own voice.” She believes that while technical skills can be acquired, “self-belief must be nurtured from within.” Looking ahead, she sees the next frontier as a move “from participation to full authorship of our future.” This means having women not just sitting at decisionmaking tables, but standing at the helm – owning enterprises, shaping investments, and setting global agendas. “But more than just about structures of power,” she adds, “empowerment is about the spirit we bring. Determination and authenticity will carry us forward, but empathy and compassion will define how we lead.”
It is in the culture and arts sector that this redefinition is most recognisable. Here, H.E. Hala Badri sees a unique catalyst for challenging global stereotypes about Emirati women. “Through art, literature, and performance, Emirati women are telling their own stories on their own terms,” she says. Platforms like the Sikka Art & Design Festival are making female creativity visible, allowing their voices to travel beyond borders, “carrying with them the truth of who we are.”
“Believe in your potential, make the most of every opportunity, and know that your voice has the power to shape the future around you.”
This philosophy has been her North Star through sectors often perceived as male-dominated. Her unique source of strength? An unwavering sense of purpose. “Knowing why I do the work anchors me in every environment,” she states. This internal fortitude is bolstered by a powerful external force: the unwavering support of the UAE leadership. Yet, she consistently returns to that foundational family support system, acknowledging it as the foundation that supports her through any challenge.
And challenges, she affirms, are not obstacles but “invitations to grow.” In difficult moments, she says that she draws upon a collective energy – the trust of leadership, the dedication of colleagues, the belief of mentors – to turn uncertainty into clarity. “Real strength is also about rising higher, with purpose and with others by your side,” she shares.
This vision is seamlessly woven into her strategy for a city of over 195 nationalities. For H.E. Hala Badri, “heritage is our anchor and inclusivity is our horizon.” Emirati traditions are the roots, but from these roots, the city opens its arms wide. This is encapsulated in Dubai Culture’s powerful mantra: “Culture everywhere, and for everyone.” She envisions culture not confined to art spaces, but as a bridge “between who we are and who we can become,” integrated into the very fabric of daily life. H.E. Hala Badri is now future-proofing the sector by merging technology with tradition. From digitising collections for global access to using AI to reveal unseen connections between artworks, she is ensuring that “in Dubai, tradition and innovation do not compete; they complement each other.” This convergence of media, technology, and culture, she believes, will define the next chapter of Dubai’s story. A chapter in which women are already central as “editors, curators, engineers, and entrepreneurs.”
What’s one piece of advice for her younger self? “Be bolder sooner. [I wish I could tell myself that] it’s okay to step forward before feeling fully ready, because confidence is built through experience.” It’s a message she extends to all young women today: “Believe in your potential, make the most of every opportunity, and know that your voice has the power to shape the future around you.”
THE VOW
With so many marquee marriage proposals flooding our feeds, perhaps it’s time to ask the question – how do we keep from losing ourselves when we finally say “I do”?
WORDS: JESSICA MICHAULT
When Taylor Swift announced her engagement earlier this year, the internet exploded with speculation, hashtags, and hot takes. Georgina Rodriguez, longtime partner of Cristiano Ronaldo, has also been flashing her 35 carats, five million dollar ring with quiet confidence. And let’s not forget all the congratulatory messages Selena Gomez’s 417M followers on Instagram sent her way when she announced her impending nuptials with Benny Blanco. For many women, these moments spark celebration. But they also raise an age-old question: how does a woman step into marriage without stepping out of herself?
According to Dr. Valentina Faia, a seasoned psychiatrist and couples therapist with over 20 years of experience based in Dubai, the stakes are especially high for women. “This is actually, as a name in psychology, called relationshipcontingent self-esteem, which means that the self-esteem of individuals relies a lot on the well-being of their relationship,” she explains. “That is especially true for women, because the majority of women who come to Dubai are following their husbands. So the health of their relationship is the wealth of their life.”
scribed it simply: “The reality is that what the program does is that it pulls the two individuals out of the bubble, the emotional love bubble… and brings back into focus the fact that they are two individuals with completely different backgrounds, histories, personal expectations, values and motivations.”
“By taking care of yourself, you’re taking care of the couple. We have multiple identities… and our identity as a couple is one of them. That’s what you work towards, both of you.”
That reality, argues the doctor, makes it all too easy for women to lose sight of their own needs, ambitions, and individuality once the vows are exchanged. Her mission, at the BioPsychoSocial Clinic in Dubai’s Knowledge Village, is to help them avoid fate.
At the clinic, Dr. Faia runs a pre-marriage program designed to shake couples out of what she calls the “love bubble.” She de-
That reminder is crucial. Too often, couples glide toward marriage assuming that the future will naturally fall into place. But Dr. Faia has seen how dangerous that can be. “People divorce because they have never wanted to address the elephant in the room, which can be related to how they deal with money, that he’s cheating regularly, or that they come from different backgrounds in terms of spirituality and religion, and they simply don’t fit with each other. And they decided to ignore these issues because they were in love.” Her approach is to bring those “nasty parts” into the light. Over the span of 9 to 11 90-minute sessions that take place every two weeks during the months leading up to a wedding hot button topics like finances, intimacy, religion, family dynamics, parenting and career goals are confronted by the couples in a safe space, before it’s too late.
One of the most common traps women fall into, Dr. Faia says, is the ingrained belief that marriage demands self-sacrifice from them. “Typically it is the women in the couple who have lost themselves because of the nature of what femininity is, which is nurturing, which is taking care of others, putting the needs of others first. This is the myth of sacrifice.”
That awareness extends to boundaries, too. Couples in her program are encouraged to ask what is acceptable, and where are the lines that can’t be crossed. It’s a conversation that, surprisingly, many never have. “It’s not a typical conversation you have. The conversation around children is the conversation about your future. The conversation around money is really about the issue of independence. The intimacy expectations are so incredibly powerful. Especially when you come from different cultural backgrounds, that might trigger a lot of unexpected revelations about the other person,” Dr. Faia reveals.
The cost, she warns, is often a woman’s sense of self. “A high percentage of the women here moved to Dubai to follow their husbands. They left behind, careers, personal hobbies, expectations, families, friends, everything. So the idea is actually to bring back a little bit of what the individual person is – the woman, what she has.”
But Dr. Faia’s advice is deceptively simple: hold on to what makes you you.
She explains that one of the most powerful safeguards against this loss of identity is for women to maintain the personal friendships cultivated outside the couple. “This is my number one recommendation: keep your inner circle. Keep your relationships alive. Keep your independence.”
Dr. Faia acknowledges that balance in any couple naturally shifts over time – especially with children, postpartum struggles, or career pressures. But the key is awareness. “The point is to be attuned. Not keep the things bottled up and talk about issues when they first appear.”
One of the most striking insights the doctor shares is that a marriage is not just about two individuals – it’s about creating something entirely new. “When I’m sitting in a room with a couple, there is me, there are two individuals, and there’s a fourth person. And the fourth person is the couple.” That couple, she insists, must be treated like its own entity. “You have two tasks in a marriage, in my opinion: you take care of yourself, and you take care of the couple. You don’t take care of the man. You take care of the couple by taking care of the territory you built together.” It’s a reframing that allows women to avoid being consumed by the role of caretaker. By nurturing both themselves and the couple, they preserve their own identity while strengthening the relationship. Underlying all of this, Dr. Faia explains, is a paradox every marriage must navigate: the tension between autonomy and relatedness. “Autonomy is the free will of the individual to establish their own path and their own journey, and the relatedness, the tendency to relate to the other person, to get closer and to try and work together. And this is a constantly evolving dynamic.” The push and pull may never be perfectly resolved, but it doesn’t have to be. The secret, she suggests, is in “fine-tuning” that balance, resisting perfectionism, and staying honest about one’s own needs.
Dr. Faia also confirms what we all know deep down, that the “love bubble” of any relationship will always inevitably pop. The couples who endure are those who accept imperfection, embrace tough conversations, and protect their individuality while nurturing the shared identity of the couple.
As marriage announcements flood our feeds, it’s tempting to get swept up in the fantasy of forever love. But the lesson from Dr. Faia is clear: keeping yourself in marriage is not about clinging desperately to independence or disappearing into sacrifice. It’s about balance. “By taking care of yourself, you’re taking care of the couple,” she insists. “We have multiple identities… and our identity as a couple is one of them. That’s what you work towards, both of you.”
And that, perhaps, is the most important vow of all.
Above: Georgina Rodríguez’s 35 carats, five million dollar ring; Right: Taylor Swift said ‘Yes’
VIEW POINT
BEYOND
Psychologist Hiba Salem explores the challenges of parenting in the age of comparison
Parenting has never been a quiet affair, but in today’s world, it often feels like we’re raising children in the spotlight with the whole world watching. Between Instagram-perfect family snapshots, endless advice on TikTok, and parenting blogs that make it sound like everyone else’s toddler eats kale chips for breakfast, comparison is no longer something we stumble into by accident. It’s constant, and for many parents, it can be exhausting.
At Sage Clinics, I meet parents every day who are doing their absolute best, yet they still feel they’re falling short. If you’ve ever looked at another family’s highlight reel and thought, “Why does it look so easy for them?” you’re not alone. Parenting in the age of comparison is hard, and it takes a toll on confidence, relationships, and even mental health. But the good news is, with awareness and compassion, it’s possible to find a healthier and kinder way forward.
Comparison has always been around. Before social media, it showed up at school drop-offs, playdates, or family gatherings. But now, instead of mere glimpses into other families’ lives, we get 24/7 access. Algorithms deliver perfectly curated versions of parenting: spotless homes, well-dressed children, homemade meals, and mothers who somehow manage yoga at sunrise before school runs. It’s easy to feel like we’re the only ones scrambling through mornings with mismatched socks and cereal on the floor. The problem isn’t that these images exist, but that we internalise them. We compare our everyday reality to someone else’s edited snapshot. This gap fuels guilt and pressure. Instead of feeling proud that your child finally ate a vegetable, you wonder why they aren’t growing their own organic garden like the influencer’s child online.
Comparison doesn’t just make us feel inadequate; it also shifts the way we parent. It can:
Increase anxiety: Constantly measuring ourselves against others leaves us feeling “not enough”. That stress often spills into how we engage with our children.
Cause perfectionism: Many parents push themselves to achieve unrealistic standards. The pressure to be the “perfect mum” or “super dad” can be overwhelming.
Impact connection: When we’re busy comparing, we risk missing the joy of our own children’s quirks, personalities, and milestones.
Fuel resentment: Comparison can even strain friendships. Instead of celebrating others’ wins, it can feel like their success highlights our shortcomings.
“Success is raising children who feel secure, loved, and accepted as they are. It’s having a relationship built on trust and presence.”
COMPARE
Why do we do it? Comparison is human nature. Our brains are wired to scan for social cues and measure where we fit in. In survival terms, this helped our ancestors. In parenting terms today, it often makes us feel like we’re never doing enough. Add cultural pressures, extended family expectations, and the global village of social media, and it’s no wonder so many parents feel like they’re being graded every single day.
So, how do we step back? Here are some gentle reminders and practical tools that may help.
1. Focus on your child, not the crowd.
Every child is unique. What works for one family won’t necessarily work for another. Instead of asking, “Are we keeping up?”, try asking, “Is my child safe, loved, and thriving in their own way?” That’s the measure that matters.
2. Limit exposure to triggers.
If scrolling social media leaves you feeling deflated, it might be time to curate your feed. Unfollow accounts that spark comparison and follow ones that inspire without pressure. Think: messy, real-life parenting accounts or communities that value honesty over perfection.
3. Find your people.
Surround yourself with parents who lift you up, not those who make you feel small. Honest friendships, where you can admit your child’s lunch was crackers and cheese without judgment, are a lifeline.
4. Practice self- compassion. You don’t need to have it all together to be a good parent. Sometimes, simply showing up with love and patience is enough. On the hard days, remind yourself: you’re doing the best you can with what you have.
5. Model kindness for your children. When you let go of comparison, you show your children that life isn’t about measuring up, it’s about being authentic. That lesson is more valuable than any perfect lunchbox.
Perhaps the hardest part of parenting in the age of comparison is rewriting the definition of success. Success isn’t whether your child is reading at three or winning awards at ten. Success is raising children who feel secure, loved, and accepted as they are. It’s having a relationship built on trust and presence. And success doesn’t mean being a perfect parent. Children don’t need perfection; they need parents who are human, who admit mistakes, and who keep trying. The truth is, if you’re worrying about being a good parent, you already are one. The parents who care enough to reflect, question, and try are the ones who show up with love. So maybe it’s time to take a breath, put down the phone, and focus on your own messy, wonderful story. Because your child doesn’t need the internet’s version of a perfect parent. They need you, exactly as you are.
To find out more about Hiba Salem and the team at Sage Clinics contact +971 4 575 5684, or appointments@sage-clinics.com
The Art of RESILIENCE
The founder of her own art consultancy, Alia Al Shamsi opens up about how internal strength and authenticity shaped her journey from artist to cultural entrepreneur
WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
“
It’s the scariest thing ever, and it requires so much faith in yourself,” says Alia Al Shamsi, author, artist, curator and founder of her namesake art consultancy. Just one week prior to our interview, the Emirati-Italian creative took one of the biggest leaps of her career and launched her own company.
For Al Shamsi, it was an act of faith, one rooted in the kind of internal strength that has carried her through two decades in the arts and culture world. “Strength in the arts is about not giving up, even when doubt creeps in,” she affirms. That refusal to bend, even in moments of uncertainty, has defined Al Shamsi’s journey from her earliest days as a student taking the bold step to study abroad, to her current role as a cultural leader shaping the UAE’s creative landscape.
What drove her to go independent was the realisation that, after two decades, she was ready to back herself in a big way, using her understanding of storytelling to drive change and impact by building bridges between local voices and global audiences. Instead of working from the global toward the local, she chose the reverse: to root herself in the local and push it outward, championing the representation of regional art, culture, and narratives. Her mission is to give voice to the art of the region.
“Part of my success has always been the amazing support I have received from my community and this new consultancy is equally a way to give back to them,” she says. The goal is to build a business that mirrors the message of the organisations she had worked with in the
“I have my own internal set of KPI’s, because I have these standards that I want to reach for myself and it just motivates me.”
past, like the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, where integrity and individuality are non-negotiable. She even convinced herself during the transition period by saying that if it didn’t work out, it would still be an experience.
But for Al Shamsi, success isn’t about external validation or recognition, it’s about whether a project lives up to the values she has set for herself. These self-imposed benchmarks push her to think bigger, to execute with precision, and to keep raising the bar – not against others, but against the vision she knows she’s capable of mastering. “I have my own internal set of KPI’s, because I have these standards that I want to reach for myself, and it just motivates me,” she confesses.
Yet, with every leap forward, Al Shamsi is candid about the limitations she has faced along the way. “I’ve failed a course, and I’ve not done well in a project,” she admits. “But these moments don’t define you – they teach you, they push you to keep going, and they strengthen your resolve.” For her, limitations are not walls but tools, forcing her to rethink approaches, uncover new solutions, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.
That deep-rooted sense of discipline and selfmeasurement is inseparable from her background. Born into a heritage where art was both inheritance and inevitability, Al Shamsi grew up with creativity in her blood. “I’m able to see two perspectives, whether I agree or not on some of the things, it doesn’t matter. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing. It’s this idea of understanding,” she shares. With an Emirati father and an Italian mother, her childhood was steeped in creativity, surrounded by photographers, fashion designers, musicians, writers, and gallery owners.
Growing up between two cultures offered her not only dual perspectives but also the ability to move between them with empathy and clarity. “I’ve always felt my role is to be a bridge,” she reflects. “To take from both sides, to listen, to understand, and to create something new out of that exchange.” This passion for dialogue has become a hallmark of her practice, enabling her to weave heritage into contemporary narratives while drawing parallels with other traditions. Whether exploring sculpture, weaving, or poetry, she views the UAE’s visual language not just as documentation but as an enduring expression of resilience and continuity.
Today, after two decades of navigating international education, cultural research, and community building, Al Shamsi has emerged as one of the UAE’s leading voices in arts and culture. Her story is one of perseverance, cultural dialogue, and strength, the kind that refuses to bend even when faced with uncertainty, and that looks to inspire a new generation of Emirati creatives.
In her debut column for Emirates Woman Morin Oluwole, a global luxury business leader who serves on the boards of Breitling, Rituals, Mobkoi, and Biologique Recherche, and the former Global Luxury Director at Meta, explores the many faces of strength and how we can redefine female leadership
A FEMININE FORCE
Strength. It’s a word we hear constantly, especially when it comes to female leadership. Be strong. Lead with strength. Show strength. But what does it really mean? And perhaps more importantly: who gets to define it? From childhood, strength has been presented to us as toughness: the physical and mental ability to endure, to persevere, to stand tall no matter what. I grew up with the perception that strength meant working tirelessly, never revealing one’s weaknesses. This was especially the case for women, who carry the weight of the family on their shoulders alone.
However, in the professional world, strength is more often associated with domination and, therefore, with power. In building my professional journey and facing the challenges and issues we women encounter, strength has come to mean, for me, not only fortitude but also self-assertion. Yet I believe today that the notion of strength is far more complex than that. Strength is not a one-dimensional concept. Its definition has many facets,
nuances, and sometimes paradoxes. Its perception depends on perspective, on context and on one’s openness of mind. For a man, strength is generally attributed as a virtue of power, while a strong woman is often described as intimidating. A man who expresses his emotions is praised as authentic, while a woman who does so is more often judged as fragile. This double standard is not new, but it remains one of the greatest challenges female leaders face today. That is why I am convinced we must redefine the notion of strength and make it more personal, true to who we are individually.
First, strength, I’ve realised, is as much about vulnerability as it is about fortitude. It’s about the courage to say “I don’t know” or “I need help” – especially in environments where we’re expected to always have the answers. Some of my strongest moments as a leader have not been when I was the loudest voice in the room, but when I chose to listen deeply, to create space for others, to recognise that leadership is not a solo act but a collective mission. Rather than trying to do everything and carry everything alone, we must recognise that asking for support should no longer be seen as weakness but as wisdom. Surrounding myself with people I trust, who challenge me and expand my perspective, allows me to build sustainable strength, not a façade.
Secondly, strength must mean consistency, integrity, and intention. Being strong is a responsibility. It is a commitment of time, energy, expertise and above all, transmission. It is not only about climbing the ladder for oneself, but also about holding the door open for others. This must become a priority for the kind of female leadership we want to embody: to mentor, to advocate, to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Because what is the point of being “strong” if it doesn’t radiate outward, if it doesn’t lift others with us to the top?
Finally, strength must mean celebration. Yes, celebration, in a world that often equates leadership with stress, sacrifice, and gravity. Truly smiling in the face of challenges, celebrating every victory, however small, finding lightness even in heavy times – that too is strength. Joy fuels resilience, makes the journey not only bearable but meaningful, and frees us from the endless quest for perfection and justification imposed by society.
We do not need to imitate outdated models of power and super-strength. In a world tested by profound transformations, what we need is to lead with both head and heart, to balance resilience with humanity, to show that true strength is not about being unbreakable, but about being whole, genuine, ourselves. That is the notion that makes female leadership so powerful.
THE NOMINEES
This year sees the return of the Emirates Woman, Woman of the Year Awards. The event shines a light on the women whose outstanding achievements in their respective fields align with the values we hold dear: integrity, authenticity, excellence, and grit.
Nominees have been shortlisted from the previous 12 issues of Emirates Woman and the winners will be decided by a combination of public votes and judges within the industry. Plus, an additional award will recognise the esteemed Emirates Woman - Woman of the Year
NOVEMBER 2024
THE PRECIOUS ISSUE
DECEMBER 2024 THE WINTER ESCAPE ISSUE
FAIZA BOUGUESSA Founder of Bouguessa
SARAH HAMOUDA Founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier
MANISHA VERMA Founder & Creative Director of Marushika
ALIA AL KHAFAJY Founder & CEO of OKTA
AMINA TAHER Chief Marketing Officer at Wio Bank
TESSA HOROVITZ Co-founder of With Love Hospitality
SHARIFA ALSHARIF ALHASHEMI Founder of ONORI
AIMEE SMALE Founder of Odd Muse
DR. SALIHA AFRIDI Founder of The LightHouse Arabia
SHAMMA AL BASTAKI Poet & Artist
AMIRA SAJWANI Founder of PRYPCO
TATIANA KORSAKOVA Founder of VAARA
FEBRUARY 2025 THE TRANQUILITY ISSUE
MARCH 2025 THE RESILIENCE ISSUE
APRIL 2025
THE DESIGN ISSUE
AMBIKA HINDUJA MACKER Creative Director of Impeccable Imagination
BENEDETTA GHIONE Executive Director of Art Dubai
MALAK ABU-QAOUD Director of ICD Brookfield Place Arts Programme
SHEREEN AL HOSH Founder of La Plain
ASMA HILAL LOOTAH Founder of The Hundred Wellness Centre
SHAHD ALSHEHAIL Founder of Abadia
URSULA WINZEL Founder & CEO of Balcony8 Brand Buro
DIMA SHEIKHLY Content Creator
SHAIKHA AL KAABI CEO of Erth
ADRIENNE EVERETT Founder of HWH Studio
SARA AL RASHID Founder of Asteri Beauty
SOPHIYA & SARAH FAIZAL Co-Founders of Paus Club
MAY 2025
THE DISCOVERY ISSUE
JUNE 2025 THE SELF-CARE ISSUE
JULY 2025
THE SUMMER ESCAPE ISSUE
SABRINA SADIQ CEO of Luxury Promise
RAHEEL AL ROUDHAN Founder of Fabric of Society
CELINE TALABAZA CEO & Co-Creator of Noble Panacea
BUTHEINA HAMED KAZIM Founder of Cinema Akil
MAITHA AL MATROOSHI Co-Founder of BIRD Collaborative
ROXIE NAFOUSI Author
NATALIE HOLLOWAY Founder of Bala
NADA AL GHURAIR Founder of Livit
RAHA MOHARRAK Adventurer
LATIFA ALSHAMSI Entrepreneur & Content Creator
FAY EZZAT Founder of L’Atelier Middle East
JOANA JAMIL Strategic Partner Manager of Global Partnerships at META
AUGUST 2025 THE HIGH SUMMER ISSUE
NAZLI SONMEZ VALLEE Chief Brand Officer at RIKAS Hospitality Group
RUMANA NAZIM Founder of The Edit
LÉA DAABOUL Founder & Creative Director of Léa The Label
SEPTEMBER 2025 THE MANIFESTATION ISSUE
BLACK Founder of Courtney Black App
SHEIKHA AL MHEIRI Founder of MAD Investments
ALICE BUGEJA Founder of mileoff
JURGITA DILEVICIUTE & DENITSA BUMBAROVA Co-Founders of JUDE
OCTOBER 2025 THE STRENGTH ISSUE
ALIA AL SHAMSI Founder of Alia AlShamsi Art Consultancy
HER EXCELLENCY HALA BADRI Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
FATMA ALTAHER Founder of NAFS
AISHA ABDULAZIZ Founder of SCULP HALA ABDULLAH Founder of OFA
COURTNEY
GLOW
Get ready for winter by…
– Stocking up on the latest beauty must-haves
– Joining the Julie Lemke Studio waitlist
– Turning to Hermès’ Christine Nagel for a new sense of scent
– Taking the time to strengthen your body
– Discovering the beauty secrets of women who don’t gatekeep
FRESH POWDER
Gucci Beauty continues its pursuit of the perfect complexion with the launch of its new Gucci Matte Powder collection. It's crafted to blur lines, whisk away shine and set makeup in place for women on the go. The expansive 10-hue collection has a shade for just about everyone and is a great option for buildable coverage. And thanks to the inclusion of soothing Black Rose Oil, the powder doesn’t dry out the skin. Try pairing the powder with the new Gucci Glow Skin Tint to complete your “you, but better” visage.
Hot New Buys
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
The definitive new beauty launches to know this month
Olfactory
Elegance
An iconic scent reinvented, where a mystical veil of frankincense elegantly drapes over a sophisticated and utterly addictive base of creamy wood accord. Bois d’Argent Eau de Parfum Dhs1,890 Dior Beauty
SCALP REVIVAL
This talc-free formula expertly soothes the scalp with rosemary and adds volume with bamboo for fresh, secondday hair in an instant. Root Refresh Dry Shampoo Dhs125 Fable & Mane
HEIRLOOM KEEPSAKES
Conceived by Pat McGrath, this luxurious lipstick delivers a weightless burst of saturated colour encased in a collectible objet d’art for the vanity. LV Rouge - Satin Lipstick Dhs615 Louis Vuitton
Elevated Eye Care
An innovative eye cream that works to actively stimulate skin oxygenation for an instantly brightened, revitalized look that effectively banishes signs of fatigue.
Crème Contour Des Yeux Vip O2 Dhs460 Biologique Recherche
Natural Glow
This skin tint merges buildable coverage with skincare benefits for a dewy, “your-skin-but-better” radiance that lasts from morning to night.
Glow Skin Tint Dhs230 Gucci Beauty
FASHION FORWARD
Inspired by the House’s iconic handbags, this portable palette contains intensely pigmented shades for creating everything from a subtle day look to a smoldering evening gaze. Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette Dhs285 Yves Saint Laurent
BACK TO ROOTS
Meticulously handcrafted using ancient alchemical methods, this elixir is a one-stop solution for radiant skin. It is prepared in 24K gold vessels with the purest ingredients, including 5-yearaged ghee and pure Taif rose water. Royal Rose Balm Dhs810 Divinom
BEE BEAUTY
This daily serum provides impeccable SPF 50 and PA++++ protection while simultaneously nourishing the skin with its signature royal honey complex. Abeille Royale UV Skin Defense SPF 50 Dhs370 Guerlain
INSIDE OUT
Bespoke beauty with backbone: inside skincare extraordinaire Julie Lemke’s namesake studio
WORDS: CAMILLE MACAWILI
You’ll never see any advertisements for Julie Lemke’s skin services. But her talent is hard to ignore when friends with glowing complexions attribute their flawless skin to Lemke and whisper, “You must see her!” It’s a word-of-mouth secret club that more and more are clamoring to join.
Meeting the founder at her newly opened studio in Al Quoz’s Al Khayat Avenue, I’m instantly struck by her calm and welcoming nature. Lemke greets me with the kind of warmth that feels more like being welcomed into someone’s home than walking into a clinic. Her serene presence sets the tone, and when she begins to talk, it’s clear her confidence isn’t couched in marketing speak but is influenced by years of industry knowledge.
The new studio was a natural evolution for Lemke. “I always wanted to be an aesthetician, and that was kind of what pivoted me to jump over to this,” she explains, reflecting on the leap she took from a career in shipping to taking residencies at clinics and then eventually launching her namesake studio in Dubai. It wasn’t a straightforward path, but a steady one shaped by curiosity, trial and error, and the quiet conviction that there was a better way to care for skin.
“The secret behind a really good facial is the therapist, so your aesthetician is really going to be able to ask the right questions and really read your skin. If you understand the skin, you are able to give it what it needs.”
Growing up in Copenhagen, Lemke was the friend everyone went to with their skin concerns. She paid attention to the way certain foods or stress levels showed up on her own complexion. “Through trial and error, I discovered some things that helped my skin immensely,” she explains. “I found certain things that I would do or eat that would help my skin.” That intuitive knowledge became the groundwork for a more professional pursuit.
“What I specialise in is skin health, creating a really foundational baseline. It’s texture, it’s everything inflammatory, like acne, pigmentation,” she shares. Instead of a menu of signature facials, every treatment is shaped around what a client’s skin needs in that moment. “I do every single thing bespoke. I don’t have these kinds of glamourous, glorified treatments where it’s like my signature touch, because skin is so individual.”
For Lemke, healthy skin isn’t about chasing an impossible ideal. “For me, healthy skin is something that I would say is very radiant – it has that glow from within to it. It doesn’t look dull.” She is quick to add what healthy skin is not. “This phenomenon with this completely textureless glass skin is not real skin, and it’s not healthy. That’s something that’s just going to be a breeding ground for accelerated aging, potentially pigmentation,” she warns. Her approach relies on restraint and consistency. “You can do a ton of good stuff to the skin by just manual work and acids, and I don’t believe in all of these aggressive treatments to rehabilitate or create skin health. I believe that those modalities should be the icing on the cake.” When it comes to routines, she advocates simplicity. “Sometimes less is truly more. Then, when you have built that foundation, if you like to layer a lot of different products, go for it, but you don’t need a 10-step routine to get healthy skin,” she says.
Avenue, the space feels more like a private salon, with a downstairs area that resembles a cosy living room. Brought to life by Emirati interior designer Alamira Noor Bani Hashim, it features 1970sinspired and mid-century decor elements that discerning arbiters of taste will appreciate.
Studio Julie Lemke was born from this ethos. Opened in September 2025 with her co-founders – both former clients who share a collective vision – the space is a deliberate departure from the sterile aesthetic clinic. Collectively, the three women are carving a distinct niche in the Middle East beauty space rooted in noninvasive rituals honed over a decade.
It comes at a time when Middle Eastern women are seeking authenticity in beauty, as self-care is increasingly seen as a form of strength rather than indulgence. The strength of this company lies in its bespoke offerings that champion uniqueness rather than conformity. Lemke’s insistence on individuality – that skin deserves to be treated on its own terms – resonates deeply in a region where women balance tradition, modernity, and ambition in equal measure. This idea of individuality is also expressed in the captivating interior design of the studio. Tucked inside Al Khayat
But Lemke’s vision extends far beyond facials and lymphatic drainage. With a background in nutrition, she is a proponent of beauty from the inside out and views skin health as part of a 360-degree picture that includes diet, stress, and lifestyle. “It’s also important for me to have that in the space – that people are being guided on what’s going on internally.” Plans are already in place to offer collagen shakes and supplements, making the studio not just a place for treatments but a hub for holistic skin health.
When asked her about the secret behind a truly good facial, she swears by pHformula, a science-backed skincare brand, mixed with her own secret concoctions. “The secret behind a really good facial is the therapist, so your aesthetician is really going to be able to ask the right questions and really read your skin. If you understand the skin, you are able to give it what it needs.”
The studio has only been open for a few weeks but word has already spread, with a waitlist already in place – a testament to the quiet credibility Julie has built. “Less is more” could be the mantra for her entire career. No overclaiming, just steady, thoughtful growth. A beauty manifesto we can all get behind.
ALCHEMICAL ELEGANCE
In the hushed halls of Hermès, master perfumer Christine Nagel reveals how a miracle berry from African legend, a beloved leather, and the spirit of timeless craftsmanship converged into the new Bérénia Intense fragrance
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
There are luxury houses, and then there is Hermès, a maison that embodies the word so completely that its essence seems to permeate the very air around it. Arriving at the Hermès flagship store inside Dubai Mall for my meeting with Christine Nagel, the house’s Director of Olfactive Creation, the boutique unfolds like a gallery of refined objects – vibrant silks, exquisite leather goods, each piece speaking to the heritage of the house. And its fragrances are no exception.
Upstairs, in the hushed private rooms of the store, Nagel a perfumer and a creator of dreams is waiting. There she sits with a natural, unforced ease that seems as inherent to the maison as the stitches on a Kelly bag. A soft “bonjour” hangs in the air, immediately warm and sincere. Nagel is the living expression of the Maison’s style, dressed in a printed light-yellow Hermès set with an off-white cashmere shawl draped effortlessly around her shoulders and matching Orans sandals.
Our conversation unfolds in her native French, her words poised and melodic, with a translator present to ensure every part of her olfactive philosophy is conveyed with precision. Nagel listens attentively, occasionally offering gentle refinements to ensure the language captures the full depth of her ideas. It’s a subtle reminder that, at Hermès, every detail matters.
At one point, Nagel, with the knowing smile of a storyteller about to share a wonderful secret, offers up a small, unassuming berry. “Taste this,” she offers. It is a miracle berry sourced from Africa. As it melts in my mouth it releases a surprising flavour reminiscent of roasted apricot. Then comes the real magic: a simple slice of lemon. Where my palate instinctively braces for a sharp, acidic burst, instead a captivating, almost inexplicable sweetness floods my tastebuds. This tasty twist, Nagel reveals, is thanks to the miracle berry that first coated my tongue. And it’s this berry that is the very ingredient that breathes unique magic into the fragrance we have met to discuss: the new Bérénia Eau de Parfum Intense, the second chapter in the story of a beloved scent.
I learn that Nagel’s path to perfumery is uniquely grounded in the precise science of chemistry, a background she once viewed as something to conceal. “I felt a bit shameful. I didn’t come from a classical perfumery background,” she shares with refreshing honesty. “But with time, and especially since I started working for Hermès and saw the work of the artisans, I changed my mind.” That deep scientific knowledge, she explains, has become her greatest strength, a foundation that allows her to fearlessly explore the boundaries of scent. “I’m not scared of anything. I know the molecules. I know how they behave. Blending this technical skill with creation is what makes my work unique.”
Christine Nagel, Director of Olfactive Creation at Hermès Parfums
It is this perfect marriage of precision and poetry that forms the bedrock of her artistry.
The narrative of Barénia Eau de Parfum Intense is a beautiful departure from the standard industry process of creating a flanker fragrance. “Normally, a brand asks a perfumer to create a new version of a perfume. I don’t like that term,” Nagel states with gentle firmness. For Barénia, the story was entirely different and deeply personal. While crafting the original Barénia Eau de Parfum over a ten-year period, she composed nearly a thousand trial versions. It was in test number 99 that something extraordinary happened…a formula that held a particular intensity. “I created something very special,” she recalls, “but I felt it was too soon for the world.” She archived this formula like a cherished secret, waiting for its moment. When the time came to envision a second interpretation, she knew exactly where to begin. “That was my starting point,” she says, highlighting how the Intense version was not an afterthought but a destined evolution waiting patiently within the original creation.
Barénia is the namesake of one of Hermès’ most supple and beloved leathers, which Nagel describes as her favourite. “The artisan told me that the leather Barénia gives you back the caress,” she says, her hands moving softly as if feeling the material. “It melts on your skin.” Her goal was never to literally replicate the smell of the leather, but rather to translate that profound tactile sensation, the feeling of luxury and softness, into an aromatic experience. “I work with beautiful materials, but what I really love is to recreate a sensation,” she shares. To help understand the distinct character of Barénia Eau de Parfum Intense, Nagel deconstructs the classic perfume architecture known as a chypre, which she has radically reimagined for Hermès. While the original Eau de Parfum established this new structure, the Intense version explores its depths
with even greater richness. Green bergamot continues to lead the composition, but the floral heart, anchored by the rare butterfly lily of Madagascar, deepens in resonance and complexity.
The true transformation lies in the base, where the roasted oak wood, which replaced traditional oakmoss, becomes even more pronounced,“in this Intense version, it truly becomes the powerful, smoky backbone of the entire fragrance.” The patchouli, presented here as an absolute, is richer and more profound, and the miraculous berry, which provides that unique sweetening effect without any sugary weight, is even more integrated, adding a layer of warm, unexpected sensuality that plays beautifully against the leather accord.
“I take the same care to make the perfume as an artisan takes to make a handbag”
The process of creating the scent is matched by the care taken in crafting its vessel. The flacon for both the original and the Intense version of Barénia was designed by Philippe Mouquet, and its creation was a collaborative and intimate dialogue. “I invited him, and we spent one full afternoon talking,” Nagel recounts. “I presented him with the fragrance, the ingredients. I made him touch and smell them.” This sensory briefing was essential. Mouquet returned weeks later with drawings, and a design inspired by the Médor Collier de Chien collar.
The bottle, with its elegant, rounded silhouette and now iconic metalwork, does not merely contain the fragrance; it reflects its soul, a blend of strength and softness, tradition and modernity. This careful, respectful process, where the perfume is completed and approved by Artistic Director Pierre-Alexis Dumas before any packaging is conceived, is what sets Hermès apart. “I take the same care to make the perfume as an artisan takes to make a handbag,” Nagel affirms. She is gifted with two priceless commodities: access to the world’s finest ingredients and, most importantly, the luxury of time. “I am ready when I am ready.”
Adrienne Everett
STRENGTH IN STILLNESS
WORDS: AMINATH IFASA
Six visionary women are redefining strength through community, intention, and the courage to listen – to their bodies, to each other, and to the quiet wisdom within
True strength reveals in quiet moments rather than grand gestures –the steady rhythm of a breath, the supportive silence between friends, the deliberate choice to prioritise wellbeing amidst life’s chaos. Across studios, sustainable activewear ateliers, and sacred community spaces across the UAE, six visionary women are redefining what it means to be strong in today’s world. Each is proudly crafting a unique language of wellness that transcends physicality and taps into something far more profound: our shared humanity. Here, they share their stories, struggles and sources of power that have inspired their individual paths.
Aisha Abdulaziz
FOUNDER OF SCULP ACTIVEWEAR
To speak with Aisha Abdulaziz is to witness a mind in constant, curious motion. The founder of Sculp Activewear approaches wellness with the methodical precision of a scientist and the intuitive heart of an artist. Her entry into the wellness world was born not from trend, but from a deeply personal quest for solutions. “I was very conscious when working out… I was more focused on what I’m wearing rather than the exercise
itself,” she recalls. This hyper-awareness of a practical problem ignited a familiar spark: “I found a problem. And I was like, why not just start my own thing?”
For Abdulaziz, the garments we wear are not mere fabric; they are the second skin that can either hinder or empower our potential. Her design philosophy is a testament to this belief, placing the wearer’s experience at its core. “At the forefront, whenever I’m designing I’m thinking, ‘how can I make sure that a woman feels good?”
It’s almost like internal, external, external, internal,” says the founder.
This intricate dance between how we feel and how we perform is, to her, the essence of modern strength. It’s a concept she defines not as a solitary pursuit, but as a collective endurance. “For me, strength comes from the women that I am surrounded by,” she shares, her voice warm with conviction. “They are women that are so grounded in what they do and so supportive in every stage of my life. I genuinely believe
Aisha Abdulaziz
without having such a strong community, moving past challenges would be even more challenging.” Abdulaziz’s strength is a tapestry woven from threads of resilience, endurance, and the unwavering support of a handpicked tribe, proving that our greatest power often lies in connection.
Adrienne Everett FOUNDER OF HWH STUDIO
Adrienne Everett’s presence is a radiant force, her energy both grounding and electrifying. An international yoga instructor and founder of HWH Studio in Dubai, her journey into wellness was a “COVID career swerve,” a profound pivot from the world of luxury fashion to the pulsing heart of mindful movement. “I really realised the first thing I wanted to do when those restrictions were lifted is go back and join a group exercise class, it was the community,” she explains. This wasn’t a casual shift; it was a soul-level correction towards a life of purpose. “I want to spend it in the most fulfilling way possible.”
For Everett, strength is a joyful, euphoric rebellion against limitation. It is found in the thunderous beat of music, the collective rhythm of a class pushing its limits, and the empowering realisation that wellness is ageless. “Strength is your most important tool physically and mentally,” she asserts, speaking passionately about the need for women to embrace strength training as they age. “It is actually stylish to be strong,” she adds. Her definition of strength is forward-looking and deeply personal: “We want to live fully for as long as possible… I want to be talking like this as an 80-year-old.” It’s a strength that rejects the notion of a finite peak, instead viewing vitality as a lifelong, ever-evolving practice.
Sirine Bekdache & Paloma Nassar
FOUNDERS OF SOUL MVNT
The founders of Soul MVNT, sisters-in-law Sirine Bekdache and Paloma Nassar, possess a harmonious energy that makes their partnership feel both innate and inspired. Bekdache, calm and composed, provides the strategic vision, while Nassar, chirpy and full of energy, infuses their venture with infectious enthusiasm. Their business was born from a shared desire to create more than just a studio; they sought to build a haven. “We really wanted to put everything
that we thought was great in one space,” Bekdache explains. Nassar elaborates on their core mission: “The sense of community, sense of belonging, sense of this is your happy place… this good energy that you create by putting like-minded people together.”
For this dynamic duo, strength is cultivated in the details – the curated scent that greets you, the Dyson dryers, the sheer curtains that offer privacy – all designed to engage the five senses and facilitate a complete disconnection from the outside world. “This is the only thing, almost, that you do purely for your own self,” Nassar reflects. “I want to go somewhere for one hour that’s just for me… So we just wanted to give our clients the best one hour so that they can reconnect with themselves.”
Their combined definition of strength revolves around graceful resilience and mindful endurance. Bekdache sees it as “being able to face many different situations in life and still showing up, happily, transparently and truthfully.” For Nassar, it is deeply mental: “I think about mental strength and more resilience… looking back at a lot of the experiences that you had so far and how grateful you become.” Together, they have built a physical embodiment of strength: a sanctuary where women can indulge both body and mind.
Dina ElShurafa
FOUNDER OF REFORM ATHLETICA
Dina ElShurafa, the force behind Reform Athletica, speaks with the clarity and conviction of a visionary who has watched the wellness landscape evolve from its infancy. For her, wellness has always been a nonnegotiable pillar, her personal “therapy” against the pressures of a high-powered legal career. Her motivation to enter the industry was simple yet profound: to fill a gaping void for high-quality, dedicated spaces in a rapidly growing city. She observes the current boom with a seasoned eye, distinguishing between fleeting trends and lasting transformation. “I think it is something that is on the rise because of people’s attention to their personal wellbeing,” she notes. “But there
has to be a distinction between people that open a studio as a hobby and people that open it as a business.” For ElShurafa, true strength is the bedrock of informed choice. “Knowledge gives you strength and power,” she states. “When you have the information that you need, you feel empowered to make decisions that help you throughout your lives.”
This empowerment – this ability to choose what is right for one’s body and mind – is the ultimate expression of strength. She concludes with a powerful tribute to the region’s shifting narrative: “I’m in admiration, in awe of how much female strength has been presented in the region over the past few years. It’s a show of ‘I am capable of doing something special.’” In her view, this collective courage is the most important wellness trend of all.
Louise Nichol
SPIN INSTRUCTOR AT CRANK AND FOR HEROES OF HOPE
Louise Nichol’s energy is both fierce and compassionate, a combination forged through her own mid-life reinvention from fashion editor to fitness powerhouse. A spin instructor at UAE-born boutique fitness studio CRANK and for Heroes of Hope (the UAE’s non-profit sports organisation for children of determination) Nichol’s journey is a testament to the fact
that it is never too late to answer a calling. “It was a bit of a wake-up call,” she says of her pandemic-era pivot. “I am really grateful for the clarity that it gave me.”
A mother of three children, all born in Dubai, and a resident since 2005, Nichol’s approach is deeply practical. “Strength, to me, is sustainability,” she says. “It’s not about how much you can lift; it’s about how long you can thrive.” Her work with Heroes of Hope grounds her purpose. “Those kids are my real teachers. They redefine what’s possible every single day.” As co-founder of luxury women’s sportswear brand Allez Kit, she adds: “True style is about confidence. It’s about owning your space and your story. That’s what we’re building with Allez Kit, clothes that make women feel unstoppable, because they are.”
Though their expressions of wellness vary – Abdulaziz’s intentional design, Everett’s mindful movement, Bekdache and Nassar’s curated sanctuaries, ElShurafa’s educated empowerment, and Nichol’s functional longevity – these women share a common creed: wellbeing is not a solo pursuit. It is a tapestry woven from community, intention, and the courage to listen – to our bodies, to each other, and to the quiet wisdom within.
In a world that often prizes performance over presence, these women are building empires of a different kind, ones where strength is measured not in metrics, but in meaning.
Above (from left): Paloma Nassar, Sirine Bekdache, Dina ElShurafa; Left page: Louise Nichol
The Beauty Shelf
Emirati fashion and lifestyle content creator Maitha talks us through her must-have beauty staples
Panorama Mascara Dhs85 L’Oréal
This mascara adds incredible volume and length to my lashes, making them look fuller and more dramatic. The formula doesn’t flake, so it gives long-lasting results without smudging.
Flawless Matte Setting Spray
Dhs190 Charlotte Tilbury
I love the CT foundation as it gives me an airbrush-like coverage, while the setting spray locks everything in for a flawless, shine-free finish. They both create a picture-perfect complexion that lasts all day.
Gold Eau de Parfum 100ml for Dhs685 Burberry Beauty
This is my new favourite scent. It’s a luxurious and warm fragrance that balances rich florals with a hint of sweetness, leaving a sophisticated and long-lasting scent.
Piedmont Italian White Truffle
First Spray Serum Dhs90 d’alba
This one is a refreshing, hydrating mist that revitalises and nourishes skin, giving it a dewy glow. I love the lightweight formula because it absorbs quickly, making it perfect for a quick boost of hydration.
On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying
Waterproof Setting Spray Dhs274
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr
This setting spray locks my makeup in place all day while preventing any shine or creasing. It’s an all-day shield for my makeup, ensuring it stays flawless from morning to night.
The Eye Patches Dhs310 Dior Beauty
These eye patches are a life saver when I’m jetlagged. They instantly brighten and de-puff the under-eye area, providing a refreshed look. The cooling effect also helps to reduce the
COMPILED BY: AMINATH
IFASA
appearance of tiredness after a long flight.
Glutathione Radiance Gel Mask
Box Dhs135 Glowture
This one is my go-to because it revives and brightens my com-
plexion, leaving my skin feeling so soft and radiant.
Effaclar Duo+M Patch Dhs48 La Roche-Posay
These are great because the patches help to heal my blem-
ishes really quickly by absorbing impurities and preventing picking
Positive Light Silky Touch
Highlighter in Enlighten Dhs155
Rare Beauty
I absolutely love this highlighter for a luminous, natural-looking glow for my skin that isn’t too sparkly. It’s buildable and perfect for creating a fresh, dewy finish that complements my skin tone so well.
Major Headlines Double-Take
Crème & Powder Blush Duo
Dhs142 PATRICK TA Beauty
This blush is my favourite. It gives me a beautiful flush of colour with a natural, radiant finish. I also love the packaging, making it a joy to use every day.
HANDBAG HEROES
WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
When time is of the essence and frictionless travel is a must, then investing in compact cosmetics is one of the fastest ways to streamline on-the-go beauty. And while they might be optimal for airport security and weekend escapes, these beauty minis can also easily work beyond your travelscapes. Add them into your heavy handbag rotation as well, and they
become the perfect investment for women who are often on the go.
Even without liquid limits, travel-sized beauty is a stellar space-saving solution for both hand luggage and hotel bathroom counter tops. Not to mention, it offers the perfect opportunity to try new formulas without committing to a full-size (and more expensive) alternatives. Might we suggest taking the time before an upcoming trip to do an
intentional mini-beauty shopping haul online at Lookfantastic or Sephora? The prep is well worth the trade-off for future stress free travel. So, whether you’re about to embark on a long-haul flight and want some skincare saviours in the cabin or have a sunny minibreak planned in the near future, here are the best travel-sized beauty products from our favourite retailers to make your next trip a beautiful breeze.
1. Hair Oil 13ml Dhs65 OUAI; 2.Vanish Airbrush Concealer Travel Size Dhs95 Hourglass; 3. Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Mini Dhs70 Rare Beauty; 4. Saffron & Cedar Mini Deodorant 28g Dhs50 Salt and Stone; 5. Mini Hollywood Flawless Filter 5.5ml Dhs72 Charlotte Tilbury; 6. Vitamin Mini Enriched Face Base 15ml Dhs100 Bobbi Brown; 7. Lip Butter Balm 15g Dhs123 Summer Fridays; 8. Bergamote 22 Liquid Balm 9ml Dhs350 Le Labo; 9. Honey Infused Hair Perfume Wild Rose 15ml Dhs105 gisou
AM TO PM BEAUTY
Hala Abdullah, the architect-turned-jewellery designer and founder of Ofa, shares her morning to evening beauty routine
Talk us through your morning rituals.
I wake up at 5:30am on most days, as I am an early riser. I wash my face with cold water and brush my teeth to get into my morning routine. I then begin my day with three pages of journaling while drinking my bulletproof collagen coffee. I always make sure to get a workout at the gym as well, this takes place at around 6:30am. By 9am, I am on my way to the office.
How does your evening routine differ?
If I have no social events, I like to turn in early. I make sure to have an early dinner at around 6 to
7pm. Then I start getting ready for bed by 8pm because I like to spend time on my nighttime skin and hair routine. Then I’ll watch something in bed or read a book for an hour before I fall asleep. What are your go-to skincare products?
My skincare routine is very important to me. I have a few main products that I always rely on to help keep my skin healthy. These include the Enzyme wash from Dr. Barbara Sturm, Avene’s Foam Cleanser, Hada Labo Tokyo’s Hyaluronic acid, my go to La Mer moisturiser, Augustinus Bader’s SPF 50 cream and the amazing Skin111 masks.
Clockwise from top left:
Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara Dhs110 ILIA; The Sunscreen SPF50 30ml Dhs540 Augustinus Bader; Replica From The Garden Eau de Toilette Dhs295 Maison Margiela; Enzyme Cleanser Dhs281 Dr. Barbara Sturm; Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain Dhs105 Benefit Cosmetics; Daphne Bouquet Eau de Parfum 100ml Dhs830 Penhaligon’s
Are you a fan of masks?
Yes big time, I always keep mine cold in the fridge. They honestly give me another life during the hot summers. How would you describe your approach to makeup?
Pretty natural during the day time. At night I like to go a bit more sultry. In general, I’ve always focused on ensuring my skin has a more glowy, rather than matte, appearance.
What can always be found in your makeup bag?
The main products that you’ll find are my ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara, a Kosas concealer and Benefit’s lip and cheek tint. Which fragrances are your current favourites?
My favourite fragrances include Maison Margiela’s Replica From The Garden, Dolce & Gabbana’s whole Velvet Collection line, Penhaligon’s Daphne Bouquet and Maison Crivelli’s Hibiscus Mahajád. Talk us through your hair routine. The products I use keep changing as my hair needs change, but what never changes is my love for masks. I’m obsessed with shiny hair and my nightly scalp massages.
This is The Strength Issue – where do you get your strength from?
From action. The more I do the more I become confident of my strength.
BUILT TO LAST
The rebirth of Ran Baas, The Palace in Patiala, Punjab, in India is nothing short of extraordinary. In ruins just four years ago, today it stands as a luxury heritage hotel unlike any other. Once Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s royal guesthouse (yes, the Maharaja who famously commissioned Cartier’s legendary Patiala Necklace) it is now home to 35 opulent suites adorned with marble, gilded frescoes, and silk carpets. With butler service, serene gardens, and dining at Neel, The Patiala Bar, and Rang Mahal, this palace offers guests the rare chance to immerse themselves in India’s regal history.
ABODE Find
A Roma Getaway
CIAO BELLA
At Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, the Eternal City is lovingly embraced
WORDS: MARIE MEYER
Rome is not a subtle city. It demands attention at every turn. Even so, the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi hotel stands out. Rising in a sweep of white stone framing the Piazza della Repubblica, the crescent-shaped façade has a commanding presence. It pulls just as much attention as the piazza’s majestic centre fountain, effervescent with its cascading water, encircled by taxis whirling across the cobble stone street. And as locals stride past with the kind of Roman ease that comes from living amid two millennia of history, Palazzo Naiadi feels every bit as theatrical as the capital it inhabits. Through revolving doors, the lobby opens up like a scene from a film. The space rises high and bright. Marble floors gleam like mirrors, conjuring visions of sweeping silks and making grand entrances. On one wall, a preparatory sketch by Mario Sironi, once used for a grand mural at La Sapienza University, stands quietly. It’s a subtle reminder that this hotel is part of Rome’s rich and storied cultural narrative. That connection to the city’s heritage runs deep at the hotel in a very literal sense. The Baths of Diocletian, dating to distant days of 298 AD, stretch below the building. Through glass panels on the lower level, the stones can be seen up close, emerging from the past as a reminder that long before a palace stood here, this was a place for bathing, gathering and restoring the body. Higher up, another historic stratum: the Clementine Granary, commissioned
in 1705 by Pope Clement XI to serve as the city’s final public grain storehouse. To check into the Palazzo Naiadi is, in effect, to step into a time capsule layered with a millennia of life.
The present, however, is also very much alive and well at the hotel. With 232 rooms and suites, it is Rome’s largest luxury property. The interiors are a study of discreet neoclassical style that balances refinement with restraint. High ceilings, hushed hues, and Murano light fittings give each room an air of serenity. More confident than ostentatious, every
detail strikes that quintessential Italian balance between ease and elegance. As dusk descends, in the grand lobby the Akwa Bar becomes the evening’s fulcrum. Locals and travellers gather beneath chandeliers glowing like constellations to share stories and form memories. What makes the space equally memorable is the staff: warm and attentive, they make visitors feel both special and like returning family. Their presence creates an atmosphere that is effortlessly welcoming. Espresso orders mingle with aperitivos, conversations rise and fall in a dozen languages, and the softened lighting invites you to linger longer than planned.
Waking up in Rome is as magical as it sounds. After a dawn stroll to the Trevi Fountain, best enjoyed before the crowds descend, La Fontana restaurant makes the perfect respite upon returning to the hotel. The marble-clad breakfast room overlooks the lively piazza. Live piano notes drift through the space, accompanying a buffet of quiet refinement: the buttery scent of still-warm pastries, an on-demand eggs menu, and a spread of both regional and international flavours set the tone for the day.
From this unhurried rhythm, the morning almost naturally drifts toward the spa, where the dialogue between past and present feels most tangible. Directly above the Baths of Diocletian, the Anantara Spa is less a modern wellness centre than a continuation of a Roman tradition stretching back seventeen centuries. Treatments blend Eastern rituals with Mediterranean ingredients, the signature Diocletian Ritual standing out as a highlight. Olive oil, honey, laurel, lavender, and sea salt are layered through scrubs, wraps, and massages into the skin by expert hands, leaving one feeling almost sculpted in marble.
Beyond the treatment rooms, the sense of renewal deepens. The gym brims with Technogym equipment, while daylight pouring through tall windows softens the space, making exercise feel energising rather than performative. Trainers adapt sessions to each
guest’s rhythm, whether vigorous or meditative. In quieter corners, yoga unfolds slowly on polished wood floors, while the faint scent of essential oils lingers in the air. Meditation rooms look outward over the city’s rooftops, their silence broken only by a church bell or the buzz of distant traffic. Guests move fluidly from effort to stillness: stretches followed by a cooling dip, a focused workout softened by reflection, each transition shaped by water and stone. By afternoon, attention shifts skywards. The rooftop pool shimmers in the sunlight, reflecting the wide sweeping sky of the iconic city. Loungers line the deck, offering space to read, swim, or simply watch life unfold below. From here, Rome stretches endlessly: domes and bell towers break the skyline while ancient ruins slice through modern streets. The view feels both expansive and private, as though the city were on display for your gaze alone. Discreet trays of fresh juices and light bites circulate, reinforcing the sense that everything has already been thought of to make guests linger longer. As the sun dips, the atmosphere begins to shift. While the light begins to fade the music swells, and by evening the terrace hums with a new energy. Olivier, the rooftop restaurant and lounge, awakens with a distinctly Roman grace. Tables are dressed for dinner, sushi platters and Mediterranean dishes arrive with precision, as the DJ takes control of the atmosphere with smooth, modern beats. The crowd is a cosmopolitan blend of locals, hotel guests, and international visitors, all drawn by the marriage of culinary artistry and panoramic views. The energy rises with the night but never overwhelms: chic, social, electric. Watching Rome’s lights flicker on from this height feels less like a spectacle and more like a moment of belonging. As though the terrace itself were a balcony seat in the city’s nightly performance. What lingers most, though, is not one single feature of the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi but the way it all fits together as a welcoming whole, one surrounded by a vibrant city alive from every angle. For some guests the strongest memories will be the rooftop views. For others, the spa rituals, the piano-scored breakfasts, or the sheer thrill of crossing marble floors once walked by Sophia Loren. This is a hotel that effortlessly distills the best of Rome itself: eternal, indulgent and just theatrical enough to remind visitors why la dolce vita endures.
Top left: Executive suite; Below (from left) Rooftop pool; La Fontana restaurant; Junior suite
WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY
Mateen Shah, founder of Assembly Vintage, on creating homes with pieces that spark conversation
IMateen
Shah, Founder of Assembly Vintage
have a favourite piece, a 1960s love seat and the patina on it is incredible. It’s marked with stress and softened by time; you can see how much it has aged. But for me, that’s character,” says Mateen Shah, the founder of Assembly Vintage. His admiration for any piece with a story is palpable. “It’s like individuals: as humans grow older, they gather experiences, scars, and wisdom, and with that comes depth. The same is true with design. Every mark, every crease, every imperfection tells a story of where it has been and what it has endured. That’s why I gravitate towards pieces that have lived because they carry resilience, soul, and memory. A brand-new object can be beautiful, but it will never hold that kind of truth.”
This philosophy was not born overnight but shaped through years of travel. Shah has enjoyed wandering through New York’s flea markets, exploring Tokyo’s hidden vintage stores, and staking out London’s storied auction houses. He learned to see design as memory and history made tangible. Each journey added to an archive of discovery, a rug carrying the rhythm of generations, a trunk bearing the marks of migrations across continents, a chair quietly holding the weight of countless conversations. What began as a personal obsession for Shah, has now become Assembly Vintage’s identity. He left behind a corporate career in real estate and investment to pursue what he calls a necessary disruption. For him the brand marks a refusal to chase trends, and instead, focus energy on the pursuit of pieces that last.
In a city defined by speed and a constant ‘what’s next’ attitude, Assembly Vintage offers a counterpoint. It’s about storied pieces that endure, furniture with soul and art that sparks conversation. “Good design doesn’t age. When it’s a home run, it balances durability, aesthetics, ergonomics, and craftsmanship, and that’s when it becomes timeless,” The brand was born to disrupt Dubai’s design landscape with pieces that carry history, soul, and permanence in a city built on the new and the latest.
“That’s why I gravitate toward pieces that have lived because they carry resilience, soul, and memory.”
In a country where interiors are often defined by modernity, uniformity, and mass production, Assembly Vintage offers resistance. It is not about filling rooms with what is fashionable, but about curating pieces that carry depth, craftsmanship, and story. Every item is chosen with intention, a contrast to the disposable culture of design. “I’ll be at home, and I’d always have people over, and they’d say that there’s a soul to this place, and it’s not something which we find in most homes in Dubai,” he shares. It became his mission to change the city’s aesthetic narrative: creating spaces that are not just styled, but storied.
“We have a lot of vintage rugs from Turkey and Iran. It’s all about the colour palette, and most importantly they all have stories, some have been around for 70 years, some for 40 years. And it’s just beautiful to see them and open them up, and then use them.”
Shah is very vocal about involving his team throughout the various processes. For him, collaboration is not a box-ticking exercise but the very core of his brand. He believes strength is never singular, it is built collectively, shaped by dialogue, and refined through multiple perspectives. From sourcing and curating to installation and client interactions, his entrepreneurial abilities guarantees his team is empowered to make decisions that leave their imprint. In his view, this shared ownership not only strengthens the brand but also preserves its authenticity, ensuring Assembly Vintage is never just about one voice, but a chorus of many.
In many ways, Assembly Vintage is an extension of its founder. A collector turned creator, who believes strength is not in chasing the new but in honouring what lasts. His pieces invite people to slow down, to surround themselves with objects that carry history, and to embrace imperfection as beauty.
ENDLESS LOVE
This month, Cartier unveils a striking new reimagining of its iconic LOVE bracelet. Called LOVE Unlimited, the textural and flexible jewellery has been designed to allow for multiple bracelets to be linked together and wrapped around the wrist – for all eternity
