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    Inside the office with Himyan Al Qubaisi, founder of Koncrete

    Life by Camille Macawili 9 mins ago VIEW GALLERY/ 5 IMAGES Founder Himyan Al Qubaisi shares the conception of Koncrete, a design-led multifunctional coffee and creative space in Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah. How long have you been in this space? It’s been three months since we officially opened. Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces? We curated our space thoughtfully, ensuring that each element harmonises with our design approach, resulting in a cohesive and effortless aesthetic. How do you think the interior reflects you? The interior mirrors my personal style, combining modern simplicity with personal touches and elements of raw minimalism, resulting in a sophisticated and inviting space. My brand aligns seamlessly with this aesthetic, reflecting the character of the space through a language that resonates with the community. Describe your taste in three words. Refined, eclectic, and sophisticated. Emirates Man The SS24 Issue – Download Now – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram Photography by Mark Mathew More

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    Exclusive: In the office with Linda Sakr, Founder of Keyani

    Lifeby Camille Macawili2 hours ago VIEW GALLERY/ 5 IMAGESFounder of Keyani, Linda Sakr, disccusess with Emirates Woman about why she created a low-key cosy holistic wellness destination and how it reflects her brand.How long have you been in this space?During lockdown, I realised that we were all going through a major change collectively and I felt what people needed the most was a safe space whereby they can heal their mind, body and soul; so we opened our doors in August 2021.Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?Yes, our cafe counter, the indoor tables and our reception counter are bespoke. We also custom built our spacious yoga studio that faces our serene garden, the pergola that covers the outdoor area as well as our lovely, handcrafted Mykonos inspired bathroom.How do you think the interior reflects you?Our priority is to enhance wellbeing and so our aim was to turn our space into a cosy sanctuary using natural elements and materials as well as calming neutral colours. A welcome escape from our fast-paced lives!Describe your taste in three words.Serene. Boho. Cosy.Photography by Ahmed AbdelwahabJanuary’s – The Alignment Issue with FitnGlam  – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

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    In the office with the Founders of Lulu & The Beanstalk at ICD Brookfield Place

    Life

    by Camille Macawili
    3 hours ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 7 IMAGES
    Founders of Lulu & The Beanstalk, Wafa and Amirah Tajdin, talk to Emirates Woman about their hangout spot imbued with cosy familiarity and cool energy in ICD Brookfield Place and how it reflects their heritage and personalities.
    How long have you been in this space?
    We’ve been open since September 2022, so just over a year.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    Most of the space was a labour of love from our designer whose signature style is upcycling and re-inventing classic and iconic design pieces. She upcycled six of the Artek dining chairs, complemented by a beautiful Kooij table, and above that sits a one-off lamp designed for use by New York-based Japanese artist Yuko Nishikawa. Our most iconic custom décor is our centerpiece chandelier which was crafted by the whimsical team of Willow Lamp in South Africa. The bar front was a terrazzo design commissioned locally.
    How do you think the interior reflects you?
    Mama Lulu was a woman who loved colours, and her world was filled with them. That was important for us to recreate through the lens of our designer and a big reason why we went with a female designer as well as she has an authentic understanding of curves, colours and texture. It was also important to evoke our island heritage (we have roots in Lamu and Mombasa in Kenya) and to capture the feeling of warmth and community that our grandmother’s home symbolised not just for us growing up, but our family and community as a whole in Nairobi and now through her spirit, Dubai.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Warm, welcoming and delicately tasteful.
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    Photography by Mark Mathew More

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    Exclusive: At home with Sofia Sayah, Founder of Sosaï Events

    Life

    by Camille Macawili
    2 hours ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 5 IMAGES
    Founder of Sosaï Events, Sofia Sayah, talks to Emirates Woman about her home space and how it reflects her brand.
    How long have you been in this space?
    I moved in earlier this year but intend to make it a long-term home.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    I’ve had custom tables created to match my specific vision where I was seeking unique table legs, something I couldn’t readily find in the market. Although not a piece per se, my favourite addition to the villa is my window which I transformed into a single glasspanel which floods the space withsunlight all day.
    How do you think the interior buys reflect you and your brand?
    Every item I’ve chosen to furnish my space with is a true reflection of both me and my brand’s essence, which centres around a minimalistic and neutral aesthetic. Through our events, we aim to steer our clients away from excessive clutter and extravagant décor and instead encourage a focus on meticulous details and uncompromising quality.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Organic, natural and contemporary.
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    Images: Supplied More

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    Exclusive: In the office with designer Kristina Fidelskaya

    Life

    by Camille Macawili
    4 hours ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 7 IMAGES
    Fashion designer Kristina Fidelskaya talks to Emirates Woman about her office space in Dubai Design District and how it reflects their brand.
    Tap the gallery above for an exclusive tour inside.
    How long have you been in this space?
    We have been in this office since d3 Dubai Design District opened seven years ago. As it was a project of a new area combining fashion and design, we knew we would be surrounded by creativity and inspiring people.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    We created our office and showroom from scratch, working closely with interior designers in order to infuse our brand DNA and to bring my vision to life from the concrete walls to the installation made of glossy steel to display our new collections. For the furniture, I like to play with the home lines from other fashion houses.
    How do you think the interior buys reflect you and your brand?
    I wanted a space that matches the vibe of my own house as well as our store in Dubai. Soft, peaceful, clean, and cosy, spending time here should feel like home to be comfortable and leave room for creativity. Most of our interior buys being customized and made-to-measure goes along with the DNA and values of our atelier and brand.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Elegant, pure, and peaceful.
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    Exclusive: In the office with the Founders of Suited & Booted

    Emirates Man

    by Camille Macawili
    14 mins ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 4 IMAGES
    Founders of Suited & Booted talk to Emirates Man about custom designing their space and how it reflects their brand.
    How long have you been in this space?
    We moved into this space in February 2020.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    Every detail of our Dubai showroom has been custom designed to create a truly exceptional experience for our clients. From the layout to the tailor-made display cabinets and shelves, the showroom is carefully arranged to highlight our finest garments and accessories – allowing our clients to appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that goes into each piece.
    How do you think the interior buys reflect yourselves and the brand?
    Each aspect of our showroom has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the essence of refined men’s tailoring. We have hand-picked pieces to create an atmosphere that is inviting and comfortable – using materials such as fine wood, rich leather, and polished metals to add a touch of luxury to the space.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Classy, refined, and timeless.
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    Photography by Ahmed Abdelwahab More

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    Exclusive: In the office with the Co-Founders of Clay Concept

    Lifestyle

    by Camille Macawili
    41 mins ago

    VIEW GALLERY/ 6 IMAGES
    How long have you been in this space?
    Our showroom in Al Wasl opened in November of last year.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces for the showroom?
    We are in love with mid-century design and wanted to add a mid-century touch to our space, so we used a real Terrazo floor throughout the showroom. We wanted the showroom to feel more personal – like a home – so we custom-built a little kitchen using IKEA fronteriors panels and we sourced Omani marble for the countertop. We then added a dark scenic wallpaper to create a contrasting mood in the space. These little bespoke additions made our showroom distinctive, and we added our curated furniture and accessories and the space came to life.
    How do you think the interior buys reflect you?
    We love iconic design pieces that are reminiscent of an era or tell the story of the designer that created them. I like the fact that a home can be one’s personal gallery and that each piece is perfectly curated. When we select furniture for Clay, we try to go for timeless and iconic designs that can transcend time and trends.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Contemporary, curated, iconic.
    Swipe through for a tour inside the office of Meryem and Aida Sekkat, Co-Founders of Clay Concept.
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    Photography: Ahmed Abdelwahab More

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    Exclusive: In the office with Joey Ghazal, Founder of Canary Club

    Emirates Man

    by Dan Robinson
    2 hours ago

    How long have you worked in this space?
    I have worked here every day since we opened last April. I rarely go to my administrative office and much prefer to work at my restaurants. Canary Club is so bright, fresh and comfortable that it makes for a very inspiring space to work. The lunch bowls are super healthy which is a big plus. We also just added a car wash for lunch time guests, so my car is always shiny.
    Did you have a clear concept from the outset, and which key pieces are your favourite?
    We did a lot of research into 70s West Coast Californian aesthetic when designing Canary Club and tried to stay as true as we could with the earth tone colour palette, shag carpets, terracotta tiles, rattan and wicker furniture, terrazzo and creamy popcorn paint. I have a great love for chandeliers and the lotus ones at Canary all lined up are definitely my favourite.
    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    Yes, all the booths, service stations and tables were bespoke. We even custom-made our own floor lamps from wooden cake standsand lamp shades made from agave fibres.
    How do you think your interior reflects you/your brand?
    The most important thing to me is that a place feels storied, timeless and authentic. Using natural materials that age well also make the space feel warm and lived in.
    Describe your taste in three words.
    Classic, bold and playful.
    Swipe through for a tour inside the office of Joey Ghazal, Founder of Canary Club.

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    Photography by Mark Mathew More