What inspired you to launch FAME Collective, and how has the journey evolved since its inception?
FAME Collective was born out of a deep appreciation for the incredible female talent across the MENA region, talent that for too long, hasn’t received the visibility it deserves. As someone who grew up between the East and the West I became very passionate about bridging the gap between Middle Eastern creatives and the global stage, I wanted to create a platform that not only highlights their work but also fosters collaboration and community. Since its inception, I have always wanted FAME to evolve into more than just a showcase—it’s now a movement that champions the talent of female designers, offering community, and home for women in the region and beyond to come together, learn and celebrate each other and themselves.

FAME brings together designers from various disciplines—jewelry, fashion, and collectible design. How do you see these creative industries influencing one another?

Whenever inspiration and creation are involved, the result is always art. Regardless of the medium used, I have always seen these disciplines as deeply interconnected and never understood why they should be categorized separately, as it disrupts the fluidity of creation. Many designers I have curated on the platform blur the lines between these fields, creating wearable art or furniture pieces that incorporate textile techniques—such as the Lebanese-based design house Bokja on FAME—or using embroidery in jewelry, like Egyptian designer Fatma Mostafa. By bringing them together under one platform, FAME fosters cross-pollination of inspiration for both our designers and clients.

As a curator, what qualities do you look for when selecting designers for FAME? Is there a particular story or philosophy that ties them all together?
Authenticity and innovation are key. I seek designers with a distinct voice, whether through craftsmanship, material exploration, or storytelling. Beyond aesthetics, their work should carry a unique narrative—whether rooted in cultural heritage, sustainability, or a personal journey. What unites them is a shared vision of redefining creative expression in the region and an unmistakable presence of their identity and story in their work. I believe that is what truly allows people to connect with their creations—it’s a feeling more than just the piece itself.

What has been the most rewarding moment for you since launching FAME?
Beyond external success, the most rewarding part of my work—aside from the beautiful community of women designers we have built—is witnessing the excitement and pride on their faces when they step into our space. Seeing the incredible talent and creativity of Arab women across all disciplines of art and design come together in one place, and witnessing that moment of inspiration spark within them, is incredibly powerful. These moments affirm why I started this initiative and are tangible proof that we are making a real impact.

How do you see FAME evolving in the coming years? Are there plans to expand beyond Dubai or introduce new elements to the collective?
Expansion is definitely on the horizon. We’re exploring pop-ups and collaborations in key international and local markets to provide our designers with greater global exposure. We’re also developing digital initiatives, including our Through Her Lens series, which offers year-round insight into our designers’ work, and our Femme Fridays edit, where we highlight the lives and legacies of iconic Arab women from the past. In the long run, I envision FAME growing into an even larger space and community for women—perhaps even with a permanent physical presence.

What does being part of FAME mean for the designers? How does it elevate their work and connect them with a wider audience?
Being on the platform allows our female designers to be truly recognized for who they are. It offers them the opportunity to be part of an empowering community of like-minded creatives from the MENA region, connect with clients who value investing in women from the region, and be appreciated beyond just the products they create. At FAME, it’s about more than selling a product—it’s about storytelling and true representation. We are dedicated to showcasing our designers’ work in the most impactful way, producing our own campaign shoots and videos to bring their creations to life. our past campaign, The Journey to Self, explored a woman’s path to self-discovery, while our latest video series, Through Her Lens, features in-depth interviews with our designers, sharing their personal journeys and creative visions.

What advice would you give to emerging female designers who aspire to be part of FAME?
Stay true to your vision and craft. The industry can be overwhelming, and it’s easy for your story to get lost along the way, but originality and consistency always stand out. Never underestimate the power of your own journey—it may not always be easy to share, but you never know who you might inspire or connect with when you do. Your work should evoke something meaningful, both for yourself and for others. Engage with the community, support fellow designers, seek mentorship, and stay open to collaborations. FAME has always been about lifting each other up.

This year’s theme focuses on ‘A Celebration of Female Creativity.’ How does this theme come to life in the curation and experience of the pop-up?
The theme is woven into every aspect—it’s our entire identity! From the designers we select to the way the space is designed, every detail is intentional. We’ve highlighted brands that challenge conventions and redefine femininity in their own unique way. In addition to our fine jewelers, artists, and designers, this year’s FAME pop-up also features a selection of talented female clothing designers from across the MENA region.

The history of clothing design and artistic expression in the Middle East is deeply intertwined with the region’s cultural, religious, and political evolution. From ancient Mesopotamia to the modern Arab world, fashion has always been a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation—deeply rooted in cultural identity while evolving with historical and global influences. Our curation showcases the craftsmanship and artistry of our designers while uniting and celebrating their distinct perspectives on fashion and the modern MENA woman.

As for the pop-up design itself, I always strive to incorporate immersive and interactive elements that encourage self-reflection and empowerment for the women who visit the space. This year, one of our interactive activities was an affirmations wall titled “You Are Exactly Where You Need to Be… I Am,” where visitors could take a moment to write something uplifting about themselves.

Can you share some standout brands or pieces from this year’s edition that hold a special meaning for you?
There are so many incredible pieces this year that it’s hard to choose, but a few standouts have truly caught my eye.

In fine jewelry, Zei Jewels, a new designer from Morocco, brings a fresh perspective with pieces featuring interchangeable semi-precious stone backplates, allowing wearers to switch them out based on their mood. I love seeing this kind of innovation and boundary-pushing creativity in fine jewelry. Another brand I’ve been loving is Tooz, known for its beautifully handcrafted charms—perfect statement pieces made with precious and semi-precious stones. We were thrilled to launch the brand’s new collaboration line with Zozo Fits at the pop-up, and I absolutely fell in love with it.

In clothing design, the Egyptian brand Espace Meld stood out with its commitment to sustainability, creating one-of-a-kind couture gowns, each a unique 1/1 piece.

And in art and design, we showcased Leila Nazarian from Eclectic Decks, a contemporary artist who merges traditional Persian art forms with modern skateboards. By applying time-honored marquetry techniques to classic wooden decks, her work creates a striking dialogue between heritage and contemporary culture.

What role do you think Dubai plays in fostering creative talent and providing a platform for female designers in the region?
Dubai has become a cultural hub where East meets West, making it an ideal launchpad for regional talent. The city is embracing independent designers more than ever, with initiatives that support emerging brands and a consumer base that appreciates unique, homegrown creativity. For female designers, in particular, Dubai offers a space to break boundaries—whether it’s through entrepreneurship, innovation, or reinterpreting traditional aesthetics for a modern audience and this is what FAME aims to do for the region.