CLOCKWISE: COURTESY OF PLAY RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE; COURTESY OF JANAAB SAYYIDA DALIYA FAKHRI AL SAID; BRUNO HOUDAYERChef Reif Othman of the famed restaurant, Zuma.Janaab Sayyida Daliya Fakhri Al Said | FASHION DESIGNER, OMAN
Edgy, futuristic and, fun, this
spunky designer has been
redefi ning fashion in Oman
over the last few years. Her
label, House Of Zaya, fuses
the designer’s passion for
contemporary art and fabric
to create casual-chic wear
that makes a bold statement.
Daliya herself grew up
around the world—from
Japan to South Africa—and
uses her diverse infl uences
to create unique hand-made
garments that have a global
appeal. We’re coveting her
bomber jackets and crop
tops. Follow the designer’s
work on Instagram at
@houseofzaya.Dawsha | MUSICIAN, EGYPT
A slow, underground hip-hop and rap
movement has been brewing in Egypt,
and with the Arab Spring, Tahrir Square
became the focal point for many such acts
of protest and dissent. Mohamed Ehab,
known by his stage name, Dawsha, is
an emerging talent in this space; young,
driven and full of original ideas, this
rapper is already a force to reckon with,
thanks to his inimitable style and angst-
ridden lyrics that draw from his personal
experiences. Listen to him on Soundcloud
at soundcloud.com/dawshaaReif Othman | CHEF, DUBAI
Dubai is food central; and at the forefront
of the emirate’s stellar dining scene is
Chef Reif Othman, the man behind the
successful Zuma that has outposts in
Abu Dhabi and Istanbul besides Dubai.
The young Singaporean chef has been
cooking up a storm in Dubai and is largely
credited with putting Zuma (Dubai) on theworld’s 100 Best Restaurants List for four consecutive years. The next time
you are in the city, dine at his brand new Mediterranean-Asian restaurant,
Play Restaurant and Lounge, that was launched recently on the 36th fl oor of
H Hotel. playrestaurants.comAli Saadi | PHOTOGRAPHER, JORDAN
This award-winning Jordanian photographer is best-known for capturing
lively, high-energy moments, and is among the most sought-after wedding
photographers in Amman. His black-and-white images are works of art, and
every picture of his evokes a strong emotion—of love, joy, faith, hope, despair.
We’re fans of his Instagram page @aspire_photo already.Shadia and Raja Alem | ARTISTS, SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia is at the cusp of a burgeoning contemporary art scene,
and guess who’s at the helm of this movement? Women. Shadia and Raja Alem
from Mecca are known names in the country’s artscape. Shadia is a visual
artist, and Raja, a writer who won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction;
they now divide their time between Jeddah and Paris. A few years ago, the duo
was chosen to represent Saudi Arabia at the Venice Biennale, marking the
country’s fi rst ever entry into the world’s most coveted art show.
shadiaalem-rajaalem.comBEYOND BOUNDARIES
When it Comes to Art
From hip-hop artistes to designers and
photographers, we meet fi ve people you
must follow in the Middle East.
Shadia Alem is a
Saudi Arabia-based
visual artist.