Fashion And Lifestyle

Marina Skiba The Woman Reshaping Fashion Talent In The Middle East By Michelle Clark In an era defined by constant reinvention and the relentless pursuit of meaning, some leaders rise not through noise, but through clarity, purpose, and the ability to transform challenges into momentum. Among them stands Marina Skiba, the founder and CEO of FP Models Agency & Academy, a woman whose journey from Kyiv’s creative corridors to Dubai’s dynamic fashion scene reads like the story of a quiet revolution. Her rise is not the familiar tale of overnight success, but a layered narrative of courage, resilience, curiosity, and the unshakeable belief that people, not trends, are the true heartbeat of fashion. Today, FP Models is widely respected as one of the Middle East’s most human-driven modeling ecosystems. But its foundation was laid long before Marina occupied boardrooms or managed global clients. It began with a young student in Kyiv who stumbled into a world that would transform her future. Marina never imagined she would enter the world of modeling. She was invited to join a modeling school as a student, an invitation she accepted almost playfully, unaware of its long-term impact. With no prior experience, no clear idea of where it might lead, she stepped into a space that would unlock new dimensions of creativity and identity. “It opened a completely new world,” she recalls. “One full of expression and new ways of seeing myself.” While discovering the language of posture, poise, and presence, Marina was simultaneously immersed in another world: writing. She worked at COCKTAIL, a fashion magazine in Kyiv, serving as both a writer and sales executive. What began as a student job quickly became a masterclass in communication, persuasion, industry dynamics, and human connection. Fashion was no longer just visual; it was editorial, intellectual, and deeply personal. The magazine also became the setting where she met her future business partner—two people with parallel ambitions, complementary strengths, and a shared vision of what the fragmented modeling industry could become. Together, they imagined a space that educates talent, elevates creativity, and serves both the industry and its people with genuine professionalism. The creative world she experienced at modeling school blended with the structural insight she gained from editorial work, forming the blueprint of FP Models: a balance of heart and strategy. Long before fashion became her profession, literature shaped Marina’s worldview. Her favourite subjects in school were languages and literature, not because they were simple, but because they granted access to imagination, cultural depth, and emotional understanding. “Words shape identity. They shape culture. They shape how we understand ourselves and the world,” she says. Storytelling became her natural strength, an intuitive skill that would later define her approach to journalism, marketing, brand-building, and ultimately leadership. In her boardroom today, communication is not merely a tool but a grounding force that ties her teams, clients, and community together. Four years ago, Marina made the life-changing decision to move to Dubai. It wasn’t impulsive; it was a strategic leap toward a market undergoing rapid evolution. Dubai was emerging as a global intersection of fashion, technology, and culture city where ambition wasn’t just admired, it was expected. The regional fashion industry was flourishing. International brands were entering the market. Local designers were gaining global visibility. The ecosystem needed trained talent, creative structure, and a modernized approach. She understood the importance of timing and recognized that if she didn’t move then, the opportunity might never return. Yet her journey to Dubai was not driven solely by professional motivation. She arrived carrying deep personal loss and life changes that required her to rebuild not only her career but her inner world. That period, she admits, was the hardest she had ever faced. But it also revealed her resilience in ways she had never known before. Rebuilding from nothing taught her that adversity is not a wall, it is a sculptor. FP Models emerged not as a conventional modeling agency but as a holistic ecosystem grounded in what she calls the Triple FP Philosophy: Fashion – Profession – Passion – People. This philosophy reflects her belief that talent cannot be developed through random opportunities; it must be nurtured through structured learning, real experience, and a supportive environment. The agency provides representation for models, connecting them with brands and creative teams across campaigns, runway shows, activations, and commercial projects. But it was the academy, Dubai’s first government-certified modeling academy, that truly transformed the region. The academy offered structured training, industry etiquette, casting preparation, and confidence-building, becoming a bridge between aspiring talent and professional readiness. Alongside this came a community that grew organically: workshops, intimate meetups, creative collaborations, and a network built on support rather than competition. FP Models became more than a business. It became a movement, redefining how the Middle East thinks about fashion talent. Marina’s leadership is grounded in emotional intelligence, adaptability, and intentional focus. For her, leadership is not about hierarchy, it is about energy and awareness. Her guiding principle in recent years has been the importance of focus: “Your focus shapes your reality.” Amid market fluctuations or sudden industry changes, this principle acts as her internal compass. Balancing creativity with commercial demands remains one of the most challenging parts of her role, yet she bridges the two worlds through communication and sensitivity, ensuring both creative minds and business teams feel understood and valued. She also learned early that passion alone cannot sustain growth. Systems, processes, and reliable teams are essential foundations. Today, FP Models operates with strong internal structure because she embraced that lesson. Just as important is her commitment to maintaining team morale. She leads not from a distance but through presence, listening, and awareness of emotional cues. Marina’s approach to nurturing talent is equally intentional. She recognizes potential not simply in beauty but in discipline, resilience, and willingness to grow. She aims to create an environment that shapes talent through care rather than pressure and teaches them that real success requires commitment, patience, and emotional maturity. The

Chathuri Samaraweera, Anaya’s Collection, Where Emotion Becomes Couture And Every Woman Becomes A Story By Ami Pandey Fashion in Dubai often moves with a pace that mirrors the city itself, restless, ambitious, always reaching forward. Yet in the midst of this rapid evolution, a few voices choose to create at a different frequency. They do not follow the noise; they follow emotion. They do not chase relevance; they shape it. Among these rare visionaries is Chathuri Samaraweera, the founder and creative director of ANAYA, a brand built not merely from fabric and form, but from memory, introspection, and the belief that a woman’s inner world is the most powerful source of design. ANAYA is a label that emerged quietly, almost intuitively, but it has since carved out one of the most distinct identities in the Middle Eastern fashion landscape. Its designs are soft yet structured, timeless yet modern, intimate yet undeniably global. And at the heart of it lies a woman who sees fashion not as an industry, but as a deeply emotional art. A Childhood Inside a Gallery Every designer has an origin story, but Chathuri’s feels almost cinematic. Before she ever touched chiffon or sculpted satin, her world was shaped by the rhythms of art. Her father owned an art gallery, a space where sculptures towered above her childhood and where paintbrushes, canvas textures, and color palettes became her early companions. While other children grew up surrounded by toys, she grew up surrounded by stories, visual, abstract, emotional. “Art was home,” she often reflects. And it is this early exposure that quietly planted the seeds of her aesthetic philosophy. Years later, motherhood would give shape to the brand’s name. ANAYA was not a strategic choice; it was a tribute to her daughter, a symbolic continuation of the emotional lineage she inherited from her own father. It was, in many ways, an inheritance of meaning. And meaning continues to guide everything the brand creates. “ANAYA started with a simple vision,” Chathuri says. “To celebrate the strength and softness within every woman, to design pieces that feel like an extension of her inner light.” This intention, gentle yet powerful, has remained the brand’s core. A Design Philosophy Rooted in Emotion What makes ANAYA instantly recognizable is its commitment to feel before form. Chathuri designs like someone who views fashion as a second language, a way of translating emotion into silhouette. Her collections do not follow fleeting trends or social media aesthetics; they emerge from lived moments, sensory experiences, and artistic memories. Her inspirations are deeply reflective: The organic architecture of Gaudí. The underwater silence of the Balearic Islands. The fluid movement of Posidonia waves like underwater poetry. Cultural textures discovered during her travels. Memories that cling to her imagination long after the moment passes. “I design from emotion first and structure second,” she explains. It is a philosophy that gives ANAYA its unmistakable softness, a softness that is not fragile but deeply feminine and assured. Couture Meets Accessibility In Dubai’s competitive fashion scene, many brands struggle to maintain a balance between couture artistry and ready-to-wear practicality. ANAYA has mastered it. The secret lies in its definition of luxury. For Chathuri, luxury does not equal extravagance. “Luxury is intention,” she says, a line that encapsulates everything the brand stands for. Whether a gown takes hundreds of hand-beaded hours or whether a ready-to-wear piece is sculpted with minimalist precision, the same thread of craftsmanship runs through it. The silhouettes may simplify, but the artistry never does. Clean lines, architectural cuts, refined detailing, every element is purposeful. This commitment ensures that ANAYA’s pieces remain both wearable and transcendent, allowing the brand to embrace accessibility without losing its couture soul. Dubai Design District If there is a creative home for ANAYA, it is Dubai Design District. D3 is more than a location, it is an ecosystem where art, fashion, architecture, and innovation coexist. Being based in D3 means that ANAYA breathes the same air as global designers, stylists, buyers, and visionaries. The district’s multicultural energy mirrors the brand’s own identity: hybrid, evolving, and deeply international. “Being in D3 pushes us to elevate our craft,” Chathuri reflects. The exposure it brings, from international markets to industry collaborations, has played a defining role in ANAYA’s trajectory. It is here that the brand matured from a Dubai-grown label into a name recognized by global audiences. The Silent Thread of the Brand In a world where sustainability is sometimes treated as a marketing strategy, ANAYA approaches it with quiet sincerity. Couture, by nature, embodies sustainability through intentionality and longevity. Chathuri leans into this truth, creating a brand that resists wastefulness and celebrates craftsmanship. Made-to-order production ensures minimal fabric waste. Local artisans and small ateliers carry forward handcrafted traditions. High-quality materials ensure longevity rather than seasonal relevance. Every design is timeless enough to live beyond a single event or trend. “Sustainability is a responsibility,” she emphasizes. It is not an aesthetic, it is ethics stitched into the foundation of ANAYA. Inspiration That Moves Like Water The most poetic part of Chathuri’s creative process is the way she draws inspiration from movement. She is fascinated by fluidity, ocean waves, the movement of marine plants, the ripple of architectural shadows on stone surfaces. Many of ANAYA’s gowns seem to echo this fascination. Their layers float rather than fall. Their embellishments mimic shimmer rather than shine. Their silhouettes move as though they carry their own tide. The Balearic Dreaming collection is perhaps the clearest example. It was inspired by the hours Chathuri spent underwater, observing Posidonia, those dense meadows of seagrass, moving in synchronized silence. She describes the moment as “watching poetry breathe.” And in her gowns, that poetry remains alive. A Dialogue Between Woman and Designer While ANAYA produces ready-to-wear pieces, it is the brand’s bespoke work that reveals its heart. Chathuri treats custom design like an intimate collaboration. The process begins not with sketches, but with conversation, about who the woman is, what she feels drawn to, and how she imagines

“The Story is Just Beginning” An Exclusive Conversation with Nouf Al Katheeri By Michelle Clark There are people who enter the world of media chasing fame, and then there are those who enter it because it calls to them. Nouf Al Katheeri belongs to the latter. A powerful voice in media and television presenting, she has become known not only for her eloquence but for the sincerity that runs through her every word. Living between Abu Dhabi and London, she embodies a modern blend of Arab heritage and global perspective, transforming the way audiences experience storytelling. In this exclusive feature with Magnav Magazine, Nouf opens up about her journey, her philosophy, and the vision that continues to guide her forward. Nouf often says, “I didn’t choose media, media chose me.” It was never something planned on a vision board, but a calling that she simply couldn’t ignore. From the beginning, she realized that media isn’t just about appearing on screen; it’s about creating meaning.  The true challenge and art, she believes, lie in crafting stories that don’t just fill airtime but truly resonate. “That’s the difference between being seen and being remembered,” she says. For her, impact has always been the goal, not visibility. Every story she has told and every emotion she has expressed has connected her with someone, somewhere. That awareness, that we are never truly alone, has shaped her deeply, both professionally and personally. Through her work, Nouf has discovered that media is not just a career but a bridge, one that connects people through shared human experience. If her words can comfort or inspire even one person, she knows she is doing exactly what she was meant to do. Living between Abu Dhabi and London has given Nouf a worldview grounded in openness. “Being open-minded is not just a skill, it’s a value,” she says. For her, it means being receptive to different people, cultures, and ideas without fear. That openness, she believes, is the foundation of creativity and innovation. “Innovation is never born in isolation. It’s born when differences intersect, when cultures meet, when two disciplines cross paths.” Studying political sociology in London reinforced this perspective, teaching her that understanding society requires exposure to diversity. “If Abu Dhabi grounded me in heritage and vision, London stretched my mind to think globally,” she reflects. “Together, they shaped not only how I work, but who I am.” Creativity and strategy, for Nouf, are inseparable partners. Creativity provides the spark, while strategy gives it direction. Her academic background in Integrated Strategic Communications taught her how essential it is to blend the two. Whether in media, marketing, or policy, the most powerful results, she believes, always come when creativity fuels strategy. “When you surprise people, you don’t just win attention, you leave a lasting impact,” she explains, describing how she constantly seeks that delicate balance between imagination and purpose. Despite her success, Nouf is known for her positivity and radiant smile. But behind that brightness lies resilience. “People often assume that positive people don’t have problems,” she says. “But positivity isn’t the absence of problems, it’s the way I choose to face them.” For Nouf, hope is a decision, one that keeps her moving forward. “My smile isn’t a mask, it’s me. Problems visit everyone, but what makes the difference is how you answer them.” When it comes to the question of impact, Nouf’s answer is beautifully humble. “Real impact isn’t something you declare about yourself, it’s something others feel,” she says. “It’s not about how loudly you say you’ve changed something, but about how deeply someone else feels that change.” Her goal is simple yet profound, to create meaning, connection, and honesty in all that she does. If one person walks away feeling inspired or less alone, she considers that her greatest success. In a time where digital platforms and artificial intelligence are reshaping the media landscape, Nouf remains confident about the enduring power of storytelling. “I don’t like to separate media into ‘traditional’ and ‘new,’” she says. “Media is simply a meeting point between the producer and the audience. Platforms evolve, but storytelling never dies. ” Whether through television, radio, or social media, she believes that each medium has its own audience, its own rhythm, and its own role in connecting people. “Centuries ago, we told stories around a fire. Today, we tell them on screens. The difference is only the medium, not the meaning.” Nouf’s personal philosophy of growth is rooted in her ability to let go of sadness and keep moving forward. “Sadness is a visitor, not a roommate,” she says. “If I let it stay too long, I press pause on my own life, and I refuse to live on pause.” Her words carry the wisdom of someone who has faced disappointment but chosen strength. “People will hurt you, but in the pursuit of greatness, the choice is simple. sit in the pain, or rise above it. Sadness may knock, but it will never unpack its bags.” Among the people who inspire her, one name stands out, Ahmed El Shugairi. “I love that he’s Arab, from the Gulf, because his work shows what it means to have a vision rooted in our culture,” she says. “He proved that media can be elegant, purposeful, and deeply impactful.” She admires his humility and the way he uses media not for fame but for transformation. “He doesn’t chase the lights, he chases the message. And that’s the kind of media I believe in.” As for what lies ahead, Nouf leaves it beautifully open-ended. “Stay tuned, and watch,” she smiles. “The story is just beginning.” Nouf Al Katheeri stands as a reminder that purpose and presence can coexist beautifully. Her journey reflects the power of authenticity in an age of noise and the strength of faith in one’s calling. She has proven that media, when done with heart, can become more than a platform; it can become a bridge between people, cultures, and emotions. And as she continues to evolve, one

The Symbiosis Between AI, Fashion, and Beauty A Conversation with Dr. Sandreen Hitti By Cynthia Mansour In a landscape where technology evolves faster than our ability to interpret it, few voices stand at the crossroads of innovation and human creativity with the clarity and conviction of Dr. Sandreen Hitti. Armed with a Ph.D. in AI and Marketing, she is a Certified Trainer, an Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University, and a Lecturer at the American University of Beirut. Her influence, however, extends far beyond academia. Dr. Hitti possesses a fluency in both the language of machines and the emotional intuition of human culture. Her ability to translate the complexities of artificial intelligence into insight that inspires and empowers has made her a leading voice in the region. Passionately committed to staying ahead of global AI trends, she shares her knowledge constantly, making technology feel accessible and deeply connected to the world. In this editorial conversation, Dr. Hitti opens a window into the future, where AI and creativity coexist in harmony and together reshape the worlds of fashion, beauty, and modern consumer psychology. AI, FASHION, AND BEAUTY THROUGH HER LENS AI as the New Creative Partner For Dr. Hitti, AI’s entry into fashion marks a turning point. Rather than replacing designers, it expands imagination. Generative design models are now capable of analyzing vast datasets of silhouettes, archives, color palettes, and emerging trends, offering designers inspiration that accelerates the creative process. AI becomes a creative partner that encourages exploration and breaks creative blocks. Beyond creativity, AI is reshaping the foundations of the industry. Precise forecasting, automated quality control, and virtual prototyping are redefining efficiency and supporting sustainability. For an industry known for overproduction, the ability to predict demand and reduce waste is transformative. According to Dr. Hitti, the future of fashion production will be guided by a balance between innovation and responsibility. Personalization is entering a new era as virtual try-ons, body-scan data, and smart styling systems create deeply tailored shopping experiences. Consumers will soon navigate journeys that feel intuitive and emotionally aligned with their preferences. Digital Models and the Evolution of Representation AI-generated models are rapidly reshaping the landscape of campaign production. Fast fashion and e-commerce brands have already embraced this shift for its efficiency and scalability. Companies such as H&M are developing digital twins of human models, producing diverse imagery without the constraints of traditional photoshoots. Yet Dr. Hitti believes real models remain essential in luxury and high fashion. The runway, the presence, the emotional gravity of a face and a personality all create a connection that technology cannot replicate. She sees the future as a blend of both worlds, with AI supporting large-scale content creation and human models continuing to embody fashion’s emotional and cultural core. Why Human Creativity Still Leads Despite the rise of AI-generated campaigns, human creativity remains at the center of powerful storytelling. AI can accelerate tasks and provide variations, but it cannot originate vision. It lacks the emotional intelligence required to shape a brand’s identity or understand the subtleties of culture. Dr. Hitti believes that the next era of the industry will be defined by creators who know how to collaborate with AI rather than rely on it. The most meaningful work will emerge from minds that combine artistic intuition with technological intelligence. Ethical and Authentic Intelligence Authenticity and transparency are central to how Dr. Hitti believes AI should be integrated into luxury, fashion, and beauty. Technology should enhance craftsmanship without overshadowing it. Consumers must understand when AI contributes to a design, a campaign, or a personalized experience. She emphasizes the need for diverse and unbiased datasets to ensure fair and accurate representation. AI also has the capacity to support sustainability by improving forecasting, minimizing waste, and enhancing traceability. When used responsibly, it becomes a tool for empowerment, not a threat to creativity. The Science and Sensibility of Beauty The beauty industry is undergoing a technological evolution, with AI accelerating research and formulation processes. Major companies now use AI to simulate millions of ingredient combinations, dramatically reducing time and cost. Even with these advancements, Dr. Hitti notes that beauty remains rooted in emotion and sensory experience. The feel of a texture, the memory carried in a scent, and the harmony of packaging all require human sensitivity. AI brings scientific precision, but the artistry comes from people. Forecasting the Emotional Future Trend forecasting, once based on intuition and observation, is now becoming a predictive science powered by AI. By analyzing billions of images, search patterns, and consumer behaviors, AI identifies emerging trends well before they reach mainstream visibility. What is even more compelling is AI’s ability to interpret emotional climates. Shifts toward calming colors, sustainable materials, or minimalist shapes often reflect collective mood. With tools capable of reading these signals, designers can connect more meaningfully with global audiences. Digital Shows and the Irreplaceable Runway Virtual fashion shows have expanded the possibilities of storytelling, offering accessibility and creative freedom. However, the physical runway remains an irreplaceable emotional experience. The energy in the room, the movement of fabric, the music, and the presence of models create a sensory moment that technology cannot duplicate. In Dr. Hitti’s view, virtual shows will enrich the industry, but the runway will always hold a sacred place. When Algorithms Shape Beauty AI increasingly shapes beauty standards through filters, editing tools, and algorithmic amplification. These systems often favor symmetry and polished perfection, which can narrow the diversity of what is portrayed as beautiful. Dr. Hitti encourages brands and creators to remain conscious of these effects. The responsibility lies in preserving authenticity and broad representation. A New Psychology of Desire AI’s impact on consumer psychology is profound. Personalized recommendations and predictive messaging create experiences that feel intimate and intuitive. Consumers often feel understood, which strengthens their connection to brands. This influence must be used with integrity. Personalization should build trust and confidence rather than manipulate behavior. Authenticity will determine which brands succeed in the long run. A Future Built on Symbiosis If Dr.

Marisse Aranas, Cultivating Change Through Education, Soil, and Sustainability By Sidra Asif There is something quietly sacred about the act of planting. To touch the soil, to feel its grain slip between your fingers, to watch something small and fragile push through it toward the light, it is a ritual that speaks of patience, hope, and connection. For Marisse Aranas, an educator and sustainability advocate at the Higher Colleges of Technology, this ritual is more than a metaphor; it is the foundation of a philosophy, one where education is not just instruction, but cultivation. “I still remember the soil between my fingers,” she recalls softly. “Cool, dark, and full of promise.” As a child, Marisse spent afternoons beside her grandmother’s garden wall, filling seedling bags of pepper plants with her cousins. What seemed like play at the time, rewarded with snacks and laughter, was, in truth, her first classroom. “She never told us we were learning,” Marisse smiles. “But through those moments, she taught patience, care, and the quiet power of nurturing life.” Years later, as an educator, Marisse returned to that memory. The lessons from her grandmother’s garden became the blueprint for a deeper kind of learning, one that connects classrooms to farms, and minds to soil. In her world, sustainability isn’t a chapter in a syllabus; it’s a lived experience that begins with the earth itself. Learning Beyond Walls In the heart of her campus community garden, the usual hierarchies dissolve. Professors kneel beside students, puzzling over yellowing tomato leaves. Administrators discover the meditative calm of harvesting herbs between meetings. Faculty and staff trade cuttings and growing tips like neighbors swapping recipes. The garden becomes a living metaphor, a space where titles blur, where everyone becomes a grower, a learner, a caretaker. “Someone once asked me why this mattered so much,” Marisse recalls. “I told them, because it brings me peace. And because the best things I’ve learned in life came from someone who made me feel joy while learning them.” That philosophy that joy is the root of transformation defines her work. For Marisse, education becomes a movement when it stops feeling like instruction and starts feeling like an invitation; when learning is not imposed, but discovered through community, care, and connection. From Soil to Soul: Linking Minds with the Land Her passion for linking classrooms with farms is both scientific and spiritual. “Someone once told me, ‘Plants are like your children, you nurture them from the womb and watch them grow.’ Those words stayed with me,” she says. In her teaching, Marisse draws powerful parallels between tending soil and cultivating the mind. “Your mind is the soil where everything begins,” she explains. “If it’s too acidic with doubt, too depleted with stress, nothing will grow there, no matter how many opportunities you plant.” In her community gardens, students learn this truth through their own hands. They test soil pH, balance nutrients, and watch their seedlings transform from frail stems into flourishing plants. In that transformation, something profound takes root within them. “They realize that just as soil can be adjusted and renewed, so can they,” Marisse says. “They learn that conditions, whether in nature or within themselves, can always be changed.” It’s this intersection of ecology and empathy that fuels her mission. When a student’s lettuce finally grows after weeks of tending, or a staff member finds calm after an hour among the plants, she witnesses what she calls “education in its purest form.” It’s not about grades or lectures, but about creating conditions for growth, of both food and faith in oneself. “The ecosystem beneath the soil mirrors the ecosystem within communities,” she reflects. “We grow better together. When the conditions are right, when there’s support, patience, and shared purpose, extraordinary things can grow.” Rediscovering Roots in a Modern World For young Emiratis, Marisse believes the path to sustainability begins with rediscovery, of heritage, of ancestral wisdom, of balance. “During one of my sessions, a student said, ‘Ms., that’s how my father used to do it.’ That simple line reminded me, this is more than gardening; it’s remembering identity,” she says. Before cities rose from the sands, Emiratis lived in harmony with the desert, reading winds, mastering falaj irrigation, coaxing life from arid soil. Farming wasn’t just labor; it was faith in nature’s rhythm. Today, when students touch the soil, they’re not just learning sustainability; they’re reconnecting with a legacy. “To return to the soil is to return to self,” Marisse explains. “Progress and tradition are not opposites, they are roots and branches of the same tree.” In her view, modern innovations like hydroponics and smart irrigation are simply contemporary expressions of ancestral resilience. “Technology doesn’t erase tradition,” she says. “It amplifies it.” Cultivating Leadership: A Woman’s Journey Marisse’s own journey has been one of perseverance. Entering a field dominated by technical expertise, she faced her share of skepticism. “There were times my ideas were called too idealistic,” she admits. “But the soil taught me resilience. Growth takes time. Roots must struggle before they find depth.” Her leadership philosophy is grounded, literally and figuratively. “When projects fail, I look to the earth,” she says. “Even the richest soil needs rest; even the strongest roots need renewal.” What keeps her grounded are the faces of her students and colleagues, their laughter during planting sessions, their pride when they harvest their first lettuce. “Leadership, like farming, isn’t about control,” she reflects. “It’s about cultivation.” Each time she steps into the garden, Marisse finds herself reminded of what truly matters: not perfection, but persistence; not instruction, but inspiration. Turning Awareness into Action In an age of digital learning, Marisse insists that true sustainability cannot be taught; it must be experienced. “Awareness begins in conversation, but transformation begins in practice,” she says. Through her projects at HCT, students grow, harvest, and share food, bridging theory with tangible impact. Many have launched start-ups rooted in upcycling and sustainable business innovation. “They don’t just meet academic requirements, they become changemakers,” she explains. By connecting innovation

THE REFRESHMENT CLUB Where Disruption Becomes Culture A Visionary Founder Profile on Onur Kece Onur Kece, Founder & Creative Director of The Refreshment Club, and Alix Petit Kece, Design Director Disrupting the familiar: The Refreshment Club’s bold Arrival in Dubai Forget conventional campaigns and glossy taglines. The Refreshment Club (TRC) isn’t here to fit in Dubai landscape – it’s here to rewrite it. Founded in Paris and now rooted in Dubai, the agency bridges art, culture, and technology to craft ideas that challenge, connect and endure. “Disruption for us isn’t noise,” says Onur Kece, founder and Chief Creative Officer. “It is about simplifying what others complicate – finding emotion in precision, and meaning in boldness.” The philosophy: Clarity as a Creative Weapon TRC’s philosophy is built around disruption through clarity. In a world oversaturated with content, Onur emphasizes the danger of “visual content pollution,” where brands lose identity in the endless stream of social feeds. “Producing more content doesn’t build a brand. Producing meaningful ideas does, he says. TRC flips this script, crafting work that earns its place in culture, not just on screens. The agency’s DNA integrates strategy, human insights and emotions, allowing them to create campaigns that sweeps audience off their feet rather than simply populate feeds. “In a world flooded with visuals, the real disruption is creating ideas people can actually feel,” Onur explains. When AI Meets Emotion TRC doesn’t treat AI as a shortcut – but as a collaborator, not a replacement. | “You won’t lose your job to AI – you will lose it to the person who knows how to use it,” Onur points out. The agency merges machine precision with human instinct, enabling fast, agile, and precise execution without sacrificing creativity. This AI powered approach supports strategy, ideation, and production, while always placing humans at the center of decision- making. The result? Ideas that were previously impossible due to cost or complexity now become feasible. Teams are empowered to push boundaries, exploring “impossible ideas” that redefine the creative landscape. The Topical Approach: Culture before Content One of TRC’s most defining principles is this: A global brand entering a new culture, this can’t be copy- pasted. Onur calls it a topical approach – a deep dive into the cultural nuances, behaviors, symbols, and emotional cues of the audience a brand wants to speak to. “A brand introduced to a new culture must be handled differently,” he explained. “We need to understand the cultural fabric before we create anything for it.” Relating this approach to TRC’s new chapter in the Middle East, let’s differentiate: As global brands enter the Middle East, many fall into the same trap; exporting a creative idea built for another culture and expecting it to land unchanged. The Refreshment Club sees this as the biggest missed opportunity in modern branding – and the starting point of their most innovative work’ For TRC introducing a brand is not a translation; it is a transformation. “We believe every audience deserves creative that speaks their language – not just their market,” Onur explains. This belief powers TRC’s topical approach: a deep dive into the cultural fabric, social rhythms, emotional cues, and historical context of each new audience. So, this is where TRC’s methodology becomes unique. Instead of relying on assumptions or generic playbooks, they use AI as a catalyst to explore culture- specific insights faster and more intelligently. Ai helps them map emerging behaviors, surface micro- trends, and brainstorm culturally resonant ideas at unprecedented speed. Disruption in Action TRC’s philosophy isn’t a theory – it’s visible in their work. Heimstone Public Pool – SaintTropez  A retail space transformed into a sideways swimming pool. Not a store – an installation. The result? 25M impressions. Sold- out drops. Global editorial buzz. It didn’t go viral because it goes loud – but because it turned retail into emotion.  Saint- Peres Paris Experiential design inspired by the inside of a kiln. A poetic bridge between heritage and modernity – anda Vogue Paris Fashion Week must- see. A brand reborn through culture storytelling. Elie Saab x Vogue An AI-driven campaign film created before the dress even existed physically. Here, Al wasn’t the star – emotion was. Technology simply enabled the impossible. Westfield A global campaign system powered by AI, creating culturally relevant visual expression across diverse markets – proving that culture-first thinking Each project is proof of TRC’s thesis: An embodiment of TRC’s philosophy of meaningful disruption, strategic creativity, and cultural scale. relevance. Each project is proof of TRC’s thesis: An embodiment of TRC’s philosophy of meaningful disruption, strategic creativity, and cultural relevance. Dubai: A Playground for Creative Rebels With their Dubai presence, TRC isn’t just entering a new market; they are redefining how global trends belong here. The bring a model built on agility, cultural intelligence, and region- specific creativity – a model designed for a region where nuance isn’t optional, it’s everything. By this, TRC is one of the few creative houses treating the Middle East’s culture not as a backdrop, but as the brief. Quality over Quantity While other agencies produce content like factories, TRC focuses on impact. “You can’t cook a five- hour Italian Ragu in five minutes – and you can’t move people with fast content,” Onur asserts. This meticulous approach ensures campaigns are strategic, identity driven and designed to resonate deeply, reducing media spend while maximizing ROI. The Creative Duo Leading the Refreshment Club In September 2025, The Refreshment Club enters the Middle East, and at the helm of this new chapter are two forces shaping TRC’s identity: Founder & Creative Director Onur Kece and Design Director Alix Petit. Together, they embody the rare blend of visionary strategy and redefine the agency. Onur brings over two decades at the intersection of advertising, design, and brand strategy, and Alix complements this by bringing more than 15 years of leadership in fashion and brand building. This dual leadership is not about titles – it’s about balance. Strategic disruption and crafted beauty. Together they lead the Dubai team with a shared mission: to build work that isn’t just seen,

Affordability vs Ethics Overcoming the Barriers to Sustainable Women’s Fashion in the UAE By Zulaikha Bi In recent years, sustainability has evolved from a niche concern into a mainstream movement, influencing industries from energy and construction to food systems. The UAE has been at the forefront of this transformation, championing eco-friendly initiatives across multiple sectors. Women, who play a central role in household decision-making, are increasingly conscious of their fashion choices. Surveys by regional fashion consultancies indicate that over 60% of young female consumers in the UAE express concern about the environmental impact of their purchases. Yet, despite growing awareness, sustainable women’s fashion remains far from mainstream. Ethical clothing often carries a premium price tag, while fast fashion, cheap, accessible, and constantly refreshed, continues to dominate. At the core of the challenge lies an economic reality, sustainable fashion costs more to produce and therefore more to buy. Ethical brands that emphasize fair wages, responsible sourcing, and environmentally friendly materials often operate on smaller scales, which drives up production costs. In the UAE, many sustainable women’s fashion brands position themselves in the premium or luxury market, accessible primarily to high-income consumers. For middle and low-income groups, including a large expatriate population, these prices remain out of reach. Fast fashion thrives in this affordability gap. For the cost of one ethically made outfit, shoppers can often purchase several trendy pieces from global chains like Zara, H&M, or Shein. While many women aspire to shop consciously, their budgets make it a difficult choice to sustain regularly. Beyond affordability, fast fashion’s cultural appeal keeps it deeply embedded in the UAE’s style landscape. In an image-conscious society where social events and online visibility are frequent, the pressure to showcase new looks is immense. Each gathering or Instagram post often demands a fresh outfit, fueling a constant cycle of consumption. Moreover, fast fashion brands have mastered digital marketing through influencer collaborations, AI-driven personalization, and accelerated trend cycles, creating a sense of immediacy and excitement that sustainable brands struggle to match. Until ethical fashion can compete with fast fashion’s speed, variety, and convenience, or until consumer mindsets shift, fast fashion will likely continue to dominate wardrobes. However, there are meaningful steps that can bridge the affordability gap and bring sustainable fashion closer to mainstream acceptance. Government action can significantly influence both consumer and business behavior. The UAE, known for its forward-thinking policies, has the potential to lead the region sustainably by reducing import taxes on eco-friendly textiles, offering grants for ethical fashion startups, or providing subsidies for sustainable manufacturing. With national strategies such as the UAE Vision 2030 and Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy already promoting sustainability, expanding these frameworks to include fashion could help make conscious clothing both accessible and affordable. Some brands are also reimagining their production models to balance ethics with affordability. Techniques such as on-demand manufacturing, digital prototyping, and the use of recycled or upcycled materials are helping reduce waste and production costs. Encouraging local sourcing and regional manufacturing hubs could further minimize shipping expenses and carbon footprints. Strengthening domestic fashion infrastructure would not only support emerging designers but also make sustainable fashion more competitive in pricing. Equally important is how sustainable fashion is communicated. Fast fashion sells immediacy, while sustainable fashion must sell longevity. Brands that succeed in the UAE market are those that position sustainability as an investment, offering garments that last longer, transcend trends, and align with personal values. This shift in narrative, from guilt-driven messaging to empowerment, helps consumers see sustainability as a form of self-expression and status. Collaborations with trusted influencers, transparent storytelling, and educational campaigns can reshape perceptions and inspire conscious buying behavior. Despite current challenges, the tide is slowly turning. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, secondhand fashion platforms, clothing rental services, and thrift events are becoming increasingly popular among younger consumers. Minimalist wardrobes, capsule collections, and slow fashion movements are also gaining momentum, especially with Gen Z’s preference for authenticity and sustainability. Events like Fashion Forward Dubai and initiatives such as The Sustainable City are further amplifying awareness of ethical designers and practices. However, for true impact, sustainable fashion must evolve from a niche lifestyle to a cultural norm that is accessible, aspirational, and widely adopted. To reach wider audiences, sustainable brands must rethink how they connect with women. Instead of focusing solely on saving the planet, they should emphasize personal benefits such as durability, comfort, health, self-expression, and long-term investment. When sustainability becomes associated not just with ethics but also with elegance and empowerment, it will naturally appeal to the modern UAE woman who values both beauty and purpose. The road to widespread adoption of sustainable fashion in the UAE is not without challenges. Yet the nation’s blend of affluence, innovation, and visionary leadership offers fertile ground for transformation. The question is no longer whether women in the UAE care about sustainability, they clearly do. The true challenge lies in making ethical fashion accessible, stylish, and practical enough to inspire consistent loyalty. If affordability meets ethics, and if sustainability becomes a symbol of sophistication rather than sacrifice, the UAE could set a global benchmark for a new fashion era, one that allows women to look good, feel good, and do good. The promise of sustainable women’s fashion in the UAE is undeniable, but its potential remains constrained by economic and cultural barriers. Overcoming these challenges will require collaboration between governments, brands, and consumers, combining affordability with ethics, and innovation with tradition. When sustainability is no longer an alternative but the default, the UAE will redefine what it means to dress with both conscience and style. In my opinion, the future of women’s fashion in the UAE will not be a choice between affordability and ethics, it will be the harmony of both.

Beyond Trends How AI Is Redefining Global Fashion Design By Zulaikha Bi Fashion has always reflected the rhythm of society, its culture, aspirations, and creativity. From the hand-stitched garments of ancient civilizations to the fast-paced production lines of the 20th century, fashion has evolved alongside every major technological and cultural shift. Today, a new force is transforming this ever-changing industry, artificial intelligence. AI is more than a modern buzzword; it is becoming a powerful creative and strategic asset. Once confined to logistics and data analysis, it now influences how clothes are designed, produced, and experienced. The boundaries between creativity and computation are blending, opening up a new dialogue between human intuition and digital intelligence. Traditionally, fashion design has been an emotional and intuitive art form, guided by personal inspiration, cultural influences, and imagination. Now, AI is entering this space as a collaborator rather than a competitor. Using vast amounts of data from fashion shows, social media, and consumer preferences, AI tools can suggest new colors, styles, and fabrics.  Designers can experiment with thousands of variations on a single concept in just a few clicks. Companies like The Fabricant have even taken this innovation to a digital level, creating clothing that exists only in the virtual world. By removing the physical limits of material and production, such tools offer designers a new level of freedom. Design software like Adobe Sensei and CLO 3D allows creators to visualize designs in three dimensions, test fits, and make changes instantly. This shortens the design process, reduces material waste, and supports sustainability. Rather than replacing human touch, AI frees designers to focus on storytelling, emotion, and creativity while technology manages repetitive tasks and data-driven insights. In production, AI is addressing one of fashion’s biggest challenges — inefficiency. Overproduction, long lead times, and unsustainable manufacturing have plagued the industry for decades. Now, AI systems analyze purchasing behavior, market trends, and even weather to forecast demand with remarkable accuracy. Brands like Zara and H&M rely on this technology to manage inventory and reduce waste, ensuring they produce only what customers actually want. Automation in factories is also transforming the manufacturing process. AI-driven machines handle fabric cutting, stitching, and quality control with precision, minimizing errors and allowing greater customization. Some manufacturers are using AI to develop sustainable textiles, optimizing raw materials and creating eco-friendly alternatives that reduce environmental harm. Perhaps the most exciting shift comes in the way AI personalizes the shopping experience. With virtual try-ons and augmented reality, customers can now see how clothes look on them before buying. Brands like Gucci, Nike, and ASOS use these features to enhance convenience and reduce returns. Services such as Stitch Fix combine AI with human stylists to curate personalized fashion boxes tailored to each customer’s size, taste, and lifestyle. Advances in AI body-scanning technology have also made made-to-measure clothing more accessible and inclusive. Customers can upload a few photos, and AI calculates precise measurements, offering custom fits without traditional tailoring costs or delays. AI is also democratizing fashion globally.  No longer limited to fashion capitals like Paris or Milan, creativity is flourishing everywhere. A designer in Nairobi, Jakarta, or Bogotá can now create and market a full collection using AI tools for trend analysis, virtual modeling, and logistics. Platforms such as Fashwell and Vue.ai provide advanced design tagging and image recognition, giving small and independent brands access to tools once reserved for large corporations. AI is also inspiring cultural fusion. Designers are now able to explore influences from across the globe, blending traditional aesthetics with modern forms.  Indian startups are reinterpreting heritage textiles like Bandhani and Kanjivaram, while African designers are using AI to celebrate Afro-futurism and share indigenous fashion with international audiences. Despite these advancements, AI’s growing role in fashion raises important ethical questions. What does originality mean in an age when algorithms can mimic artistic styles and brand aesthetics? Intellectual property laws are still adapting to these new realities. There are also concerns about bias in AI models, which often reflect the data they are trained on. If that data lacks diversity, it can exclude certain body types, skin tones, or cultural styles. To build a more inclusive industry, brands must ensure that the data guiding these systems represents a wide range of human experiences and identities. Automation also affects the workforce. Millions of people in countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Ethiopia rely on textile and garment jobs. As machines become more capable, there is a risk of widespread job displacement. A fair and responsible transition requires investment in retraining programs, ethical sourcing, and policies that protect vulnerable communities. Another critical contribution of AI is in promoting sustainability. Fashion remains one of the world’s most polluting industries, but AI is helping change that. It assists in selecting durable, eco-friendly materials and enables digital prototyping to reduce fabric waste. Even digital fashion garments created only for virtual use is becoming a sustainable option for influencers, gamers, and digital consumers. By predicting demand more accurately, AI reduces overproduction and waste. It also helps consumers make conscious choices by offering transparent information about a product’s origins, materials, and environmental impact through smart tags and traceable digital labels. Fashion is more than just clothing. It is a language of culture, identity, and emotion. AI is not replacing this language; it is helping us rewrite it with greater imagination and responsibility. From sketch to shop floor, from luxury runways to online wardrobes, artificial intelligence is making design more inclusive, production more efficient, and experiences more personal. Yet, this technological progress must remain guided by human values, creativity, empathy, and ethics. The future of fashion will not belong solely to algorithms or to humans, but to the collaboration between both. When intelligence meets imagination, fashion becomes not only smarter but also more meaningful, sustainable, and human. In a conversation with a young woman about fashion, she shared a refreshing perspective. “Personally, I prefer simple and casual dressing, mostly in light colors,” she said. “Simplicity always wins. Casual clothes save time and reduce confusion.

A Conversation With Mira Abou Jaoudé The Soul Behind the Style By Cynthia Mansour Mira Abou Jaoudé, a survivor, businesswoman, and influencer, carries a presence that radiates strength, warmth, and authenticity. From her earliest days on digital platforms, she has captivated audiences with her genuine smile, resilience, and unwavering support for those facing similar battles. A cancer survivor, Mira transformed her personal journey into a beacon of hope. Through her content, followers witnessed not only her recovery but also her remarkable transformation, one that extended beyond the physical to reveal emotional depth, maturity, and an unshakable sense of gratitude. Mira has been an integral part of Rami Kadi’s team for as long as many can remember. As a luxury brand marketer and PR professional specializing in strategy, marketing, and communications, her work reflects deep loyalty to the fashion industry and a genuine dedication to the creative community she calls home. Her commitment goes beyond tasks, it is a form of love for art, storytelling, and the people behind it. Throughout her health journey, Mira opened a window into her world, sharing moments from hospital corridors to everyday routines, and offering heartfelt reflections on how illness reshaped her perception of strength, beauty, and presence. Her honesty brought comfort to many, patients fighting the same battle and loved ones seeking understanding and hope. After overcoming her illness, Mira began sharing a new chapter rooted in transformation, healing, and mindful living. Whether she is offering time management tips, book recommendations, or fitness motivation, her message remains consistent, to help others grow and to remind them that life is a gift worth cherishing. What makes Mira truly stand out is not just her style or influence, but her ability to turn life into meaning. She reminds us daily that nothing is worth sacrificing our mental peace, that health is a privilege never to be taken for granted, and that every day should be lived fully, with gratitude, not regret. For all these reasons, her authenticity, her influence in fashion, and her inspiring impact on mental wellness, it felt only natural to sit down with Mira for a conversation that captures her essence, a dialogue on fashion, healing, and the art of living beautifully. For Mira, fashion has never been just about aesthetics, it is an emotional language, a mirror of the soul. “Fashion is my way of expressing everything,” she shares. “My knowledge in fashion helped me navigate this journey in a way where I could turn scars into beauty. It is no longer about how I look, but how deeply I feel through what I wear.” Through her evolution, she has turned style into self-expression, transforming pain into presence and design into healing. In a world built on appearances, Mira stands firmly rooted in truth. “Authenticity is my luxury,” she says with conviction. “I have learned that perfection does not inspire, but truth does. I bring both worlds together by staying honest, even in glitter, because why not?” Real elegance, she believes, lies not in perfection but in transparency, in being bold enough to be human in an industry that often hides behind polish. To Mira, fashion is more than fabric, it is storytelling in motion. “Fashion today should tell stories of resilience, identity, and consciousness, not just beauty,” she explains. “It should remind people that style is energy, not ego.” Her perspective highlights a shift within the industry, one that values emotion, diversity, and authenticity over surface glamour. When asked about her work with Rami Kadi and the legacy of Lebanese designers, Mira’s pride shines through. “Lebanese designers create from emotion, not formula,” she reflects. “There is a heartbeat in every stitch, a fusion of pain, passion, and poetry that speaks beyond trends. Lebanon just tells a different story.” It is this emotional craftsmanship, she believes, that sets Lebanese couture apart, artistry that carries both heritage and heart. If fashion were a language, Mira’s would be fluid and free. “Flow, freedom, and feeling,” she says. “A mix of strength and softness, like silk over steel.” Her fashion choices embody balance, power with grace, resilience with femininity. In a digital world that never stops demanding more, Mira has learned to slow down. “By choosing presence over pressure,” she says. “I pause, breathe, and remind myself that being grounded is what navigates me through life.” It is a philosophy that keeps her centered, staying authentic even in a space that often glorifies constant performance. Having faced illness, loss, and renewal, Mira’s definition of beauty has evolved profoundly. “Beauty, to me, is truth unfiltered,” she reflects. “It is the light that appears when you have been through darkness and still choose to shine. Your inner glow, I call it that.” For her, beauty begins where filters end, it is the courage to be seen as you are. Once driven by achievement, Mira now defines success through presence and peace. “Success used to mean doing more, now it means being more, more peaceful, more purposeful, more myself.” This redefinition reflects the growth of someone who has lived through change and chosen depth and alignment. For Mira, fashion is not only creative, it is therapeutic. “Clothes can heal,” she affirms. “When we dress with intention, we reconnect with the part of us that still believes in magic. You need to feel good in your skin, always.” Perhaps her most powerful belief is that fashion can be a form of mental health advocacy. “Fashion can normalize honesty,” she explains. “It can remind women that it is okay to show up as they are, style is about expression, not perfection.” Her message is simple but profound, what you wear should never hide who you are. Fashion is not a mask, but a reminder that true style begins with self-acceptance. Through her work, her story, and her words, Mira Abou Jaoudé continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in fashion today, graceful, grounded, and unapologetically real. Her journey proves that fashion is not only about beauty

Maisoon Al Saleh Reimagining Heritage Through a Contemporary Lens By Jane Stevens To encounter the art of Maisoon Al Saleh is to step into a dialogue between past and future, memory and imagination. Her work feels at once grounded and transcendent, weaving threads of Emirati heritage with modern narratives that challenge and expand the visual language of identity. Born in 1988, Maisoon belongs to a generation of Emirati artists who have witnessed their country’s cultural awakening and, through creativity, have helped shape its evolving artistic landscape. A graduate of Zayed University with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Design, she has exhibited across more than 25 countries, from Paris and Vienna to Miami and Basel. Her pieces have appeared in major international venues such as the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, the Contemporary & Fine Art Basel Biennale, and the Art Cannes Biennale, while locally, her presence at Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art, and Emirati Expressions has positioned her as a powerful voice within the UAE’s cultural movement. Beyond her exhibitions, she is also the founder of The Paintly Store, a creative platform that merges art, design, and entrepreneurship, extending her influence from gallery walls to community spaces. Maisoon’s art is unmistakably her own, a synthesis of surreal forms, cultural symbolism, and bold reinterpretations of tradition. For her, heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living language that evolves with time. “Tradition is the foundation,” she explains, “but innovation is what lets it grow in new directions.” Her process often begins with sketches and stories rooted in Emirati culture, which she reimagines through modern techniques, futuristic colors, and layered symbolism. The result is work that speaks to continuity as much as change — a visual conversation between origin and possibility. Storytelling lies at the heart of Maisoon’s creative practice. Each piece is a narrative, often revealing hidden histories or reinterpreting cultural memory through striking imagery. Her recurring use of skeletal motifs has become one of her signatures, not as a reference to mortality but as a metaphor for shared humanity. “Bones and skulls are not about death,” she notes, “they are a reminder that beneath our differences, we are all equal.” This philosophy reached its most powerful expression in a ten-meter panoramic painting that captures the essence of Dubai’s evolution, traditional dhows drifting alongside futuristic skyscrapers, construction cranes reaching upward, and communities of every nationality coexisting in harmony. All the figures in the scene are rendered as skeletons, uniting the diverse faces of the city through a message of equality and connection. Having exhibited for more than a decade, Maisoon has witnessed the UAE’s art community transform from a small, close-knit circle into a global cultural hub. She speaks of this growth with admiration and optimism. “When I began exhibiting, the scene was intimate,” she recalls. “Now it’s vibrant and fearless, with artists blending disciplines and creating bold new dialogues.” What excites her most is the confidence of emerging Emirati artists who are redefining the country’s visual narrative not just preserving heritage but reinventing it for a global audience. Maisoon’s entrepreneurial journey through The Paintly Store is an extension of her belief that art should exist beyond galleries. By bringing creative tools and educational experiences into people’s daily lives, she bridges the gap between artist and audience. “Launching The Paintly Store allowed me to merge entrepreneurship with artistry,” she explains. “It deepened my connection to the community and helped me see how people experience art in everyday life.” This initiative also reflects her commitment to mentorship; through workshops and creative sessions, she helps nurture the next generation of Emirati artists, encouraging them to experiment, take risks, and find their authentic voices. In the digital age, where algorithms often shape visibility, Maisoon approaches social media with intention and restraint. She uses online platforms not as performance spaces but as storytelling tools. “Authenticity resonates more than algorithms,” she says. “I prefer to share the process, not just the polished image. It’s about creating genuine connections with people who respond to the spirit of the work.” Collaboration, for Maisoon, is another form of storytelling, an exchange that broadens the vocabulary of art. She envisions future projects that merge visual and spatial design, particularly collaborations with architects and musicians. “Architecture and music share something with art: rhythm, emotion, and narrative,” she reflects. “By merging these worlds, we can create experiences that transcend boundaries and bring Emirati heritage to life in new dimensions.” In her view, Emirati artists carry a responsibility that extends beyond their canvases. “We are cultural ambassadors,” she says. “Through art, we can offer the world a deeper understanding of who we are, not through stereotypes, but through authenticity, innovation, and dialogue.” Each Emirati artist, she believes, contributes a unique note to a broader symphony that defines the UAE’s modern identity: proud of its roots, yet open to global conversation. To emerging artists, Maisoon offers wisdom that feels both practical and poetic. “Trust your voice, even when it feels unconventional,” she advises. “Don’t imitate trends — explore your heritage, learn your craft, and stay curious. Art is not a race but a reflection of who you are. Growth comes from community, not competition.” Her words echo the same balance she seeks in her art — courage rooted in tradition, creativity guided by self-awareness. Looking ahead, Maisoon’s focus is expanding toward immersive and multisensory art experiences works that invite viewers to step inside her world rather than observe it from a distance. She envisions installations that blend physical and digital realities, exploring themes of memory, transformation, and belonging. “Art is not just to be seen,” she says. “It should be felt, experienced, lived. I want to create environments where people don’t just look at my work, they become part of it.” As her career continues to evolve, one constant remains: a deep reverence for the Emirati spirit that shaped her. Every brushstroke, sculpture, or digital composition carries traces of her heritage reinterpreted, reimagined, but never forgotten. In Maisoon Al