Discover the top 10 female interior designers shaping the UAE and Middle East with luxury interiors, cultural heritage, and innovative furniture design.
Women are leading the charge in shaping the Middle East’s contemporary design landscape. Drawing inspiration from their rich cultural heritage while embracing innovative design thinking and cutting-edge fabrication technologies, they are redefining the world of design. From crafting bespoke furniture and textiles to curating immersive interior experiences, these designers are creating work that reflects the Gulf’s dynamic, diverse, and ever-evolving identity. Their projects are a fusion of tradition with modernity, local narratives with global trends, and artisanal craft with technological innovation.
These visionary women are responding to the needs of a fast-changing region while setting new benchmarks for creativity, sophistication, and sustainability. They are transforming the way design is conceived, experienced, and valued, making the Middle East a hub for contemporary design excellence. Designers like these are reshaping interiors, objects, and materials into expressions of culture, innovation, and enduring elegance, heralding a bright and influential new era for the Gulf.
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Aisha Al Sowaidi – Doha, Qatar
Image Credit: AD Middle East
Custom furniture designed for the Townhouse Project in Msheireb Downtown, Qatar
Bespoke seating created for the National Museum of Qatar
Aisha Al Sowaidi is a multidisciplinary designer based in Doha, Qatar, whose work explores the intersection of memory, nostalgia, and contemporary living. Her designs blend past experiences and cultural behaviours with modern aesthetics. By drawing on materials inspired by Doha, she brings elements of the city into domestic spaces, bridging the gap between home and modern life.
Nostalgia is central to her approach, often expressed in playful and unexpected ways. Mirrors inspired by childhood toys, colourful glass Midkhans (Arabic incense burners) shaped like fairytale characters, and contemporary majlis concepts born from family gatherings demonstrate her ability to translate personal and cultural memories into functional, visually striking designs. Each object carries traces of time, connecting past and present through form, material, and storytelling.
Al Sowaidi’s work has been recognised internationally, including at the London Design Biennale 2018, and is part of the National Museum of Qatar’s collection. As director of Qatar Museum’s Liwan Design Studios and Labs, she fosters creative dialogue while producing objects locally and abroad. Her design philosophy shows how contemporary design can honour memory and cultural heritage while embracing the fast-developing context of modern Qatar.
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Aljoud Lootah-Dubai, UAE
Object: The Oru Cabinet is a geometric piece of furniture inspired by origami forms.
Misnad is a hand-woven carpet that modernises traditional Al Sadu geometric patterns.
Aljoud Lootah, an acclaimed Emirati designer, is renowned for her ability to blend cultural heritage with contemporary design. At the heart of her creative process is a deeply hands-on approach, where craftsmanship is integral to every stage of making. She views the act of creating as a journey, transforming traditional techniques into modern, functional designs. Through this philosophy, her work tells stories rooted in Emirati culture while maintaining an innovative aesthetic that resonates globally.
From her Dubai-based studio, Aljoud Lootah Design, she explores contrasts in form and function, producing furniture, lighting, and collectible objects that embody modern luxury. Each piece reflects her meticulous attention to detail, often featuring rich textures and carefully chosen materials that bridge tradition and progress. In 2019, Lootah designed the official gift for Pope Francis during his historic UAE visit, which was a woven camel leather Mandoos (chest) containing the title deed to the nation’s first church. Earlier, two pieces from her Oru Series were acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, making her the first Emirati designer with work in an international museum collection.
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HRH Princess Alanoud Khalid Mishaal Saud Abdulaziz Al Saud- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Residential Design by A Interiors
Law Firm Reception Area by A Interiors
HRH Princess Alanoud Khalid Mishaal Saud Abdulaziz Al Saud brings a distinctive vision to contemporary interior design while blending Saudi heritage with modern aesthetics. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Prince Sultan University in 2010 and an MBA from Al Faisal University in 2013, she founded A Interiors in 2015. This Riyadh-based studio is driven by the ambition to go beyond decoration and create multi-functional spaces that balance form and function.
Guided by her enthusiasm, meticulous attention to detail, and hands-on approach, the firm has earned recognition for delivering interiors that are personal and purposeful. By fusing cultural traditions with innovative techniques, A Interiors produces spaces that are distinctive, meaningful, and enduring.
The studio’s signature style lies in the juxtaposition of materials, scale, and balance, where contrasts are harmonised into cohesive, elegant environments. Influenced by HRH Princess Alanoud’s passion for travel, art, and cultural diversity, every element, whether furniture or artwork, is carefully curated.
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Nada Debs- Beirut, Lebanon
Object: Modca Buffet by Nada Debs
Object: Arabesque Bench by Nada Debs
Nada Debs, a Lebanese designer based in Beirut, works fluidly across disciplines, from furniture and product design to interiors, fashion, and bespoke commissions. What defines her practice is not scale or medium, but a commitment to culture and craftsmanship. Her creations carry emotional resonance, blending traditional skills with contemporary expression to form pieces that feel timeless and deeply personal.
Her multicultural journey shapes her design language. Raised in Japan, educated at the Rhode Island School of Design in the U.S., and enriched by extensive travels, Nada draws from a rich tapestry of influences. Each experience informs her philosophy of “handmade and heartmade,” where design becomes a bridge that transcends borders and eras. She sees design as a universal connector, speaking directly to human emotions and creating moments of shared identity.
At the core of her approach is storytelling through craft. Fascinated by the role of the hand in shaping memory, Nada views craft as a language that surpasses geography and culture. Geometry often recurs in her work, expressing complex ideas with clarity and beauty, while materials become tactile narrators of heritage and innovation.
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Rabah Saeid- Dubai, UAE
Founded by Rabah Saeid, Styled Habitat champions craftsmanship, materiality, and narrative-driven design. Each space is approached as an expressive canvas, transforming interiors into environments that are captivating and intimate. By harmonising aesthetics, function, and emotion, the studio creates atmospheres where memories and experiences naturally unfold, reflecting the personality and essence of each client.
Saeid balances restraint and understated sensuality with warmth and belonging, producing interiors that are immersive yet inviting. Her projects demonstrate her ability to weave emotion, culture, and context into design, resulting in interiors that are sophisticated, expressive, and enduring. Saeid’s philosophy prioritises narrative, craftsmanship, and architectural integrity, showing that thoughtful design is more than aesthetic but is a profound dialogue between space, material, and human experience.
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Racha Gutierrez and Dahlia Hojeij Deleuze, France, Lebanon, Ivory Coast
Apartment design- Beirut, Lebanon
Founded in 2020 by childhood friends Racha Gutierrez and Dahlia Hojeij Deleuze, Ebur is a creative studio devoted to the exploration of space and its many expressions. Their partnership took shape during their architecture studies in Paris, built on shared values, sensibility, and a mutual passion for design. The studio’s work spans interiors, furniture, and singular objects, created with a responsible approach and in close collaboration with skilled craftsmen.
The name Ebur, meaning “ivory” in Latin, pays homage to Côte d’Ivoire, where the duo grew up surrounded by craftsmanship that infused everyday life with creativity and possibility. From Lebanon, where they spent their summers, they draw an Oriental and Mediterranean spirit, shaping a multicultural outlook that continues to inspire their practice. These experiences cultivated their admiration for artisanal traditions and their desire to design objects and spaces that carry memory and meaning.
Ebur’s creations reflect a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and major artistic movements, where volumes, lines, and materials harmonise with the spirit of each place. Their collections weave African and Oriental influences into symbols and textures, while echoing the elegance of early 20th-century French and Italian decorative arts. This layering of cultures and eras defines the distinctive and ever-evolving identity of Ebur.
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Rania Hamed - Canada and Dubai, UAE
Upside by Rania Hamed
Residential Project by VSHD Design
Interior architect Rania Hamed, founder of the award-winning boutique firm VSHD Design in Dubai and Montreal, is recognised for her innovative interiors and uncompromising quality. Her approach avoids trend-driven work, instead focusing on designs that embody timelessness and longevity. Each project is anchored in a strong concept, meticulous attention to detail, and the creative use of light to ensure functionality and atmosphere in equal measure.
Hamed’s fascination with integrating traditional culture and craftsmanship into contemporary settings defines much of her portfolio. VSHD Design believes in re-purposing and transforming spaces with elegance, modesty, and subtle luxury. Her aesthetic draws inspiration from Japanese simplicity, Arabic vernacular housing, and Brutalist forms. With experience across residential and commercial interiors, VSHD Design has delivered projects from Florida and London to Cairo, Amman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
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Shahad Alazzaz – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Kimyona Restaurant by Azaz Architects
Image Credit: Azaz Architects
Shahad Alazzaz is a visionary architect and designer based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known for her innovative and culturally resonant approach. With a BA in Architecture from Manchester School of Architecture and an MA in Architectural Management and Design from IE Business School, Madrid, she has worked on projects across Diriyah, Paris, Istanbul, Ankara, Madrid, and Malabo. Her design philosophy emphasises storytelling through materiality, light, and memory, creating immersive spaces that are functional and emotionally engaging.
Under her leadership, Azaz Architects, established in 2017, has grown into an internationally recognised boutique firm. The practice offers architecture, interior design, furniture, public art, and master planning services, focusing on context-driven and experiential design. It is known for blending contemporary aesthetics with cultural narratives, delivering spaces that are visually striking and thoughtfully detailed.
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Stephanie Moussallem- Beirut, Lebanon
Object: Clownfish Console
Object: Decagon Cabinet
Founded in 2015, Stephanie Moussallem Design Studio is a Beirut-based multidisciplinary practice specialising in high-end interiors, large-scale residential and commercial projects, and collectible furniture. The studio is dedicated to creating timeless environments where functionality and artistry meet, ensuring each space carries a strong sense of place. Every project is approached to enrich daily life through design that is both elegant and personal.
Moussallem’s work is defined by craftsmanship, material exploration, and a respect for tradition. By working with noble materials and reviving often forgotten Mediterranean artisanal techniques, she produces interiors and furniture that are refined, distinctive, and enduring. Each piece is carefully detailed, combining luxury with usability, and frequently reinterpreting conventional design archetypes.
Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean’s landscapes and culture, Moussallem’s designs embody warmth while embracing contemporary expression. With projects across Lebanon, the UAE, and Europe, the studio continues to merge craftsmanship, bold colour, and cultural narrative into interiors and objects that feel joyful, enduring, and design-led.
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Sumaya Dabbagh
Main Lobby, Marriott, Dubai
Photography: Gerry O'Leary
Gargash Mosque, Dubai
Sumaya Dabbagh, a Saudi architect educated in the UK, founded Dabbagh Architects in 2008. Based in the Gulf region, her practice spans the commercial, residential, cultural, and educational sectors, with landmark projects including the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Gargash Mosque, and the Al Ain Museum. Each design reflects her ability to merge functionality with cultural depth, positioning her as one of the region’s leading architectural voices.
Central to Dabbagh’s philosophy is a commitment to contextual architecture, shaped by memory, identity, and a sense of belonging. Her work is deeply connected to the land and informed by local culture, resulting in projects that are contemporary and rooted in tradition. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre and Gargash Mosque exemplify this approach, earning international recognition for their sensitive integration of history and modernity.
Selecting just ten influential female designers in the Middle East highlights the incredible depth of talent in the region. Each of these designers brings a unique vision, mastery of craft, and innovative approach that is reshaping contemporary design. From interiors and furniture to materials and immersive experiences, they are redefining aesthetics while setting new benchmarks for creativity, sustainability, and cultural expression.
This represents just a glimpse of the extraordinary women driving the Gulf’s design renaissance with a dynamic, inspiring, and ever-evolving movement that continues to shape the region’s creative future.
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