CULTURE
56 _What’s On_07.2019
WE CAUGHT UP WITH CO-
FOUNDER RANIA KANAAN
TO FIND OUT MORE:Can you explain more about your
concept of giving back?
Imagine everything you buy
has a positive impact on
the environment, gives
back to underprivileged
communities, is fully
functional and beautifully
designed. Imagine that
our consumption can be
mindful, where we buy only
what we need and ensure we
know the story of the things we
buy. We wanted to live in that world, and
that is how Kave was born, it is a small
example of what can be done in every
house, in every mall, in every community.
What do you feel is the most
impactful part of your concept?
We feel to impact people and theirbehaviour you have to give them the
platform and tools. That is why we
have monthly zero-waste talks and
why we teach people how to upcycle
everyday items into usable, functional
products. We are showcasing it as a
lifestyle that keeps improving and isn’t
intimidating to start including in
your current life.
What is the most difficult part about
staying sustainable in the UAE?
It is hard to put the brakes on a car
travelling at 300 km/hr. No matter
how fast you run, that car will hit you.
That is the rate of overconsumption
the whole world is at right now.
At KAVE, for example, plastic is
sometimes forced on us. The UAE
has a way to go before becoming
sustainable and that takes different
entities working together.
a Warehouse 20, Alserkal Avenue,
Mon to Sat 11am to 9pm. Tel: (055)- thestoryofthings.com
T
here’s something for everyone
inside Kave. The concept
warehouse space consists
of a mixture of upcycled
furniture with wellness and upcycle
workshops where you can transform
old tins into hipster guitars
or learn the art of glass
blowing. There’s
also a cafe where
the menu focuses
on organic, locally
grown and sourced
produce, and a fair-
trade shop stocking
clothing, ceramics and art
produced by female artisans,
many of whom are underprivileged
or refugees. There are also plenty of
workshops based around the idea
of sustainability, such as how to cut
glasses out of wine bottles, leather
sandal making and also how to make
chemical-free deodorant.Enter the Kave People
CONCEPT
STOREInside the new upcycle cafe concept in Alserkal Avenue