Page 124 - KW LUXURY MAGAZINE

At top left, Lootah’s rst piece, The Unity stool led her to create more sophisticated pieces
to working on the collection. I took a piece of paper and started folding it, and that is when I realized I could do much more in terms of shapes if I focused on turning the origami- inspired folds into functional products. I did a lot of research and there was something very exciting about working with my hands, which led to the creation of The Oru Series.
I didn’t realize back then that these shapes I was working with, with their lines and edges, would be a constant staple in my newer collections.
Can you describe the process and work that was put into creating the Misnad and Uwairyan carpets?
Misnad and Uwairyan are both products that were inspired by Al Sadu weaving, a traditional indigenous style of weaving that employs color and pattern motifs as decorative elements that also convey within them social artifacts and cultural values. It is mostly practiced by women in rural communities of
the United Arab Emirates to produce soft furnishings and decorative accessories. The patterns of Al Sadu weaving are very distinctive, mainly in the form of narrow bands of geometric designs.
It was so [intriguing] and exciting to break down these patterns and study them while
trying to nd what each motif represented. After breaking the patterns down, I worked
on combining a staple shape which was found on most of the patterns: The Hourglass shape formed by two triangles re ected. It was said that it represents heaps of sand dunes and dates. I merged these shapes with geometric lines that represent the narrow bands of Al Sadu and then decided to apply them onto rugs.
The rugs are hand-knotted in Afghanistan by female artisans who work on weaving as a source of living.
What challenges did you face, if any, on your path to becoming a designer? I haven’t faced any challenges as a designer in the UAE. On the contrary, we are
given so many opportunities to explore our passions, work on ideas and we are constantly provided support through governmental
and private organizations that believe in the importance of the advancement of the design eld. My main challenge revolves around nding suppliers and manufacturers who work with various materials and provide reasonably priced services.
How do you combine your culture as an Emirati woman in your design work?
I often draw inspirations from the Emirati
culture and crafts as well as historic references and try to derive elements from the history
as well. These elements are studied and then designed in a modern way where it could be more relevant to the current world that we are living in.
The main idea behind this is to tell the stories of our roots in a way that people from all over the world can relate to and admire. This is my way of keeping our history alive.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently in the process of nalizing our products for Dubai Design Week, as well as working on the nal touches of a room divider, which was designed as part of the AlBurda Endowment commission.
How do you hope to inspire young women that would like to get into design or start their own business? What advice would you give?
I would advise them to work with passion and keep pursuing what they dream of; to face their fears and be committed. My father once said “Rules can be bent, but not broken.” I have lived by this for over 10 years and I believe
that this is such a good saying for the younger generations to live by.
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