< PreviousDesign advocate. Role model. Creative ambassador. Photography by DANIEL ASATER Styling by SEHER KHAN Words by NATASHA FARUQUE Shaikha AL - SULAITI HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4005/02/2024 14:56 41 Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Spring 2024 The INTERVIEW Diva’s Dream Earrings in Rose Gold with Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Watch in Rose Gold with Diamonds, Pink Opal and Mother-of-Pearl; Diva’s Dream Ring in Pink Gold with Diamonds; Serpenti Viper Two-Coil Bracelet in Rose Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Bulgari Abaya; Headscarf, QR1,590, both Mneiae. Dress, QR3,200, 1309Studios HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4130/01/2024 12:29Cruelty-free clothing and a vegan menu; as far as wardrobe prerequisites and shoot requests go, it wasn’t what the Harper’s team expected. And that’s how everyone knew, in an instant, that we had the perfect cover personality: a prominent Qatari exemplar who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and stand by her convictions. Shaikha Al-Sulaiti’s accomplishments are simultaneously intimidating and inspiring. And in person, the designer, known for putting her aesthetic stamp on Doha’s upmarket developments and districts, couldn’t be more articulate about the “design renaissance” that the country is currently undergoing. “Her Highness Sheikha Moza’s bint Nasser’s vision has enabled us to carve out our own identity, and be proud of it,” she tells us. “It took time, but now there’s a huge concentration of very talented designers in the Arab world. Now is our time. We are shining. Th ere’s always this focus, and always this push towards cultural identity, being inspired by the past and not forgetting our roots. And, I feel extremely blessed to have been exposed to that whole process. Th is philosophy is extremely powerful.” Th e much-lauded creative, who studied Interior Design at VCUArts Qatar, and was hired by Mshreireb Properties straight out of university in 2009, has managed to showcase a unique talent, bringing together functionality and visual impact, Qatari heritage and crafts, with an inventiveness that is fi ercely modern, and fi rmly looking to the future. “ We have huge ambitions, but that’s not uncommon for Qatar. We always like to set the bar extremely high, and just go for it.” HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4230/01/2024 13:30 43 Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Spring 2024 The INTERVIEW Diva’s Dream Earrings in Pink Gold with Rubies and Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Necklace in Pink Gold with Rubies and Diamonds; Fiorever Ring in Rose Gold with Rubellite and Diamonds, POA, all Bulgari Cape, POA, Carolina Herrera. Skirt, QR1,575, Aje at Etoile. Top; Headscarf, both Stylist’s own HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4330/01/2024 12:30Diva’s Dream Pendant Necklace in White Gold with Sapphires and Diamonds; Fiorever Bangle in White Gold with Diamonds, POA, both Bulgari Dress, QR3,890, Roksanda. Top; Headscarf, both Stylist’s own HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4430/01/2024 12:30 45 Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Spring 2024 The INTERVIEW Diva’s Dream Openwork Pendant Necklace in Rose Gold with Malachite Beads and Diamonds; Diva‘s Dream Watch in Rose Gold with Fan Shaped Link, Diamonds and Malachite Dial; From top: Diva’s Dream Ring in Rose Gold with Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Ring in Rose Gold with Mother-of-Pearl and Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Ring in Rose Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Bulgari Dress, QR8,570, Stella McCartney. Top; Headscarf, both Stylist’s own HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4530/01/2024 12:30Diva’s Dream Earrings in Pink Gold with Rubies and Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Ring in Rose Gold with Mother-of-Pearl Elements and Diamonds, POA, both Bulgari Abaya, QR2,650, Al Jaziri Couture. Headscarf, Stylist’s own HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4630/01/2024 12:30 47 Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Spring 2024 The INTERVIEW Diva’s Dream Earrings in Rose Gold with Diamonds; Right hand: Diva’s Dream Watch in Rose Gold with Diamonds, Pink Opal and Mother-of-Pearl; Left hand: Diva’s Dream Ring in Pink Gold with Diamonds; Serpenti Viper Two- Coil Bracelet in Rose Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Bulgari Abaya; Headscarf, QR1,590, both Mneiae. Dress, QR3,200, 1309Studios HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4730/01/2024 12:30Creative CONVICTIONS “I want to be the voice of the voiceless, especially when it comes to luxury and design,” the Doha native says while discussing how technology has impacted her industry. “I became vegan about a couple of years ago. I decided to just go 100 per cent. So I don’t wear any leather. When I design furniture, I try not to use anything that is harmful, or cruel to the animals. I believe that, especially with the emergence of all the new materials that are coming out, that luxury doesn’t have to be cruel.” Stella McCartney and Piferi — both pioneers of cruelty-free fashion — are understandably at the top of Shaikha’s list when it comes to concious shopping. “I recently had the pleasure of meeting Alfredo [Piferi], and he was my lifeline to be honest as before I had a huge number of shoes and suddenly I didn’t have any brands that I could buy. I love fashion so taking having to take that step was a big commitment,” she admits. “Th ere’s a lot of challenges. But to me it is important to be true to oneself. I’m very proud of myself to have taken this step, to be completely honest. But it has also helped me rediscover myself, and helped me learn about my own personal style. I am not following trends anymore.” Grand DESIGNS Doha Design District, where the inaugural Design Doha Biennial is being held, has become the beating heartbeat of creativity in not just the country, but also the entire region.“You can’t talk about the Doha Design District without fi rst understanding the vision behind Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), as Doha Design District takes inspiration from its location within MDD,” she says. “Nestled within MDD, Doha Design District draws inspiration from its surroundings, contributing to the area’s reputation as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and sustainable cities globally. More than a physical space, DDD serves as a meeting ground for creatives interested in the power of design to make the world better and everything that encompasses, from a focus on sustainability to accessibility and aesthetics. We have huge ambitions, but that’s not uncommon for Qatar. We always like to set the bar extremely high, and just go for it,” explains Shaikha. Th e Senior Design Manager of Msheireb Properties explains how the Design District fi rst came to fruition; “We reached out to all the brands, and there was huge enthusiasm. We got all the brands on board to start our family… It has grown into a vibrant ecosystem, home to numerous studios, showrooms, and workshops that nurture our fearlessly talented creatives and inspire our communities. Here, ideas come to life, and creativity knows no bounds.” Th ere’s also a vibrant programme that everyone can tap into; “Th e District also holds regular workshops and talks from its corporate, academic, and creative partners. For example, when we opened Th eArsenale Lab last year, world-famous French designer Oro Ito shared his journey and inspirations during the opening workshop.“ “For a small country like Qatar to establish such a globally relevant and expertly built design hub, adhering to the highest standards in building performance and enabling creative talent and enthusiasts to experiment with the latest trends, is truly inspirational,” Shaikha enthuses. Alongside DDD, there are other initiatives both within the district and outside of it like Fire Station, Liwan Studio and Design Lab and M7 growing the burgeoning creative ecosystem. She credits the leadership with providing the population the tools and prioritising design at an early stage — Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Qatar “really jump-started the rapid development of the design industry. It laid the groundwork for what has evolved into a thriving creative landscape. Over the years, Doha cemented its position as a prominent global creative hub, with iconic museums, ground-breaking libraries, and innovative creative spaces.” Inspirational ASPIRATIONS When its put to her that she’s clearly a role model for those looking to break into the scene, she immediately acknowledges the debt she owes to others who encouraged her own personal passion. “Th ere are so many women who have inspired me throughout the years but the central source is Her Highness Sheikha Moza, to whom I owe my entire education and for being an inspiration for my design philosophy, especially the cultural and sustainable aspects,” she shares. “Female designers I admire include Kelly Wearstler for her eclectic style, and Patricia Urquiola, for being one of the leading women designers in the world today.” And she doesn’t in any way feel that women in the region are at a disadvantage when it comes to being nurtured. “I’m extremely proud to be living in Qatar, to have fi nished my studies here, because the opportunities that we get here are extremely rare. We are given world- class education, we are given opportunities to work on world-class developments, we work alongside international designers and architects. We are not limited in any way. And I see a lot of strong women in the workplace. Th ey are moving everything in my opinion!” she laughs. “It’s very, very vibrant and inspirational.” “It took time, but now there’s a huge concentration of very talented designers in the Arab world. Now is our time” 48 Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Spring 2024 HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4830/01/2024 12:31 The INTERVIEW Diva’s Dream Earrings in White Gold with Rubies and Diamonds; Diva’s Dream Necklace in White Gold with Rubies and Diamonds; Fiorever Bracelet in White Gold with Diamonds; Fiorever Ring in White Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Bulgari Dress; Headscarf, QR2,600, both Harlienz Make-Up: Salima Aliani. Hair: Aldo Coppola. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Producer: Narges Raiss. Styling Assistants: Catherine Mallari and Janhvi Kohli HBQ_034_40to49_Coverstory_13164464.indd 4930/01/2024 12:31Next >