A remarkable transformation is occurring in the design sector of the Arab world, driven by a dynamic group of female creatives and interior designers who are reshaping concepts of luxury, heritage, and innovation.
This talented cohort of women architects and interior designers is influencing the future aesthetic of the region with innovative projects across hospitality, residential, and cultural domains, showcasing the growing role of women in the Middle Eastern design industry.
HRH Princess Alanoud Al Saud
In her studio, A Interiors, located in Riyadh, the princess creates modern environments that pay homage to Saudi heritage. Her design work artfully blends traditional textiles and intricate mashrabiya patterns with contemporary materials in geometric designs. Her portfolio highlights a minimalist villa that emphasizes quality stone and wood craftsmanship as well as a desert farmhouse that harmonizes organic textures with classical architectural styles.
Shaikha Al Sulaiti
As the design lead at Doha Design District, she supports emerging Qatari talent while developing her own creative practice. Having transitioned from luxury home design to a pivotal role at Doha Design District, she promotes local talent while remaining active in her own innovative projects. Her tables inspired by Mondrian, presented at Milan Design Week 2024, give a modern twist to traditional stained glass design elements, and her upcoming rug collection draws inspiration from historical Qatari plasterwork.
Aljoud Lootah
Marking a decade of her studio’s influence, the Emirati designer merges traditional artistry with streamlined aesthetics. Her Falaj Collection, inspired by ancient irrigation systems, debuted at Dubai Design Week, representing her unique approach to contemporary design that is culturally informed.
Aline Asmar d’Amman
With deep connections to the fashion industry through partnerships with brands like Chanel and the late Karl Lagerfeld, Aline incorporates haute couture sensibilities into her interior designs. Current projects include reviving Venice’s Palazzo Donà Giovannelli for the Orient Express Hotel collection alongside a Haussmannian apartment in Paris.
Nada Debs
This Beirut-based designer is committed to sustaining traditional craftsmanship through modern techniques, spanning marquetry and weaving. Her recent collaborations feature decorative items for Dior’s fragrance lines and various iterations of her well-known Swirl table design.
Rania Hamed
Based in Dubai and Montreal, Rania Hamed creates interiors that blend Japanese minimalism with Brutalist elements through her studio, VSHD. One of her notable designs, Soub café in Dubai, exhibits a 1970s style infused with tranquil simplicity.
Agata Kurzela
The Polish-born, Dubai-based designer fuses architectural knowledge with engineering precision in her diverse practice. Her award-winning renovation of Abu Dhabi’s Government Offices showcases her skill in modernizing heritage sites. Current projects include the Kempinski Residences The Creek and a significant museum project in Abu Dhabi.
Yasmina Makram
Yasmina’s HA-BEIT’A Pavilion at Cairo Design Week illustrated her talent for crafting authentic yet contemporary spaces. Anticipated projects include an Art Deco-inspired apartment along the Nile and futuristic offices in Saudi Arabia.
Zeina Aboukheir
The Italian-Lebanese designer has dedicated her career to slow living principles, exemplified in projects like Luxor’s Al Moudira Hotel. She is presently focused on the renovation of a historical skyscraper in Cairo, revitalizing the city’s rich architectural legacy.
Pallavi Dean
A global citizen and founder of Roar, Pallavi Dean integrates a multicultural perspective into her designs. Growing up in Dubai with Indian roots and refining her skills in London, her work encompasses prestigious hospitality, commercial, and residential projects across the Middle East, Africa, and the UK, characterized by narratives that give every space a story.
Dima Srouji
This Palestinian architect explores cultural heritage through her London-based practice and glassware label, Hollow Forms. Her portfolio frequently delves into archaeological narratives, notably those linked to historical excavations conducted by Palestinian women.
Aisha Al Sowaidi
Working from Doha, Aisha brings nostalgic elements into modern designs, creating playful mirror innovations and reinterpreting majlis spaces. As director of Qatari Museums’ Liwan Design Studios, she has transformed a former girls’ school into a vibrant creative hub for the design community.
Maja Kozel
For Maja, design intertwines beauty with social responsibility. Drawing from Emirati heritage, she incorporates sustainability in her work, advocating for recycled materials without compromising artistic integrity. Her award-winning Tubo lighting design for Surge for Water exemplifies how ethical design can achieve elegance.
Salwa Samargandi
With a holistic viewpoint toward heritage conservation, the Saudi architect’s sensitive restoration of AlUla’s historic mosque reflects her commitment to harmonizing historical integrity with modern practicality.
Maliha Nishat
Having built her reputation through roles at Design Worldwide Partnership and HBA, Maliha Nishat is fundamental to upscale hospitality design. Currently shaping Marriott’s presence with projects like the Marriott Hotel Rabat and Westin & Element in Riyadh, she collaborates with leading design firms to create deeply engaging travel experiences.
Hala Saleh
The designer from Cairo challenges conventional aesthetics with projects like her midcentury-inspired villa in Katamaya Heights, which features an unconventional eggshell-blue palette. Her background in mechanical engineering informs her inventive approach to adaptive reuse.
Lina Ghotmeh
Recognized for her work with Hermès and the Serpentine Pavilion in 2023, this Lebanese architect prioritizes sustainable materials and traditional craftsmanship. Her upcoming projects include designing a contemporary art museum in AlUla as interconnected desert pavilions.
Sneha Divias
Originally from Portugal, Sneha Divias introduces a European perspective to Middle Eastern design. After refining her skills in Lisbon and New York, she launched her own atelier in Dubai, quickly gaining acclaim as Interior Designer of the Year at the 2017 Commercial Interior Design Awards. Her style merges global influences while appreciating local contexts.
Sahar Al Yaseer & Cristina Gallenca
The co-founders of UAE-based La Bottega focus on storytelling through hospitality design. Their project for the Delano Dubai penthouse successfully adapted the brand’s Miami style to a Dubai setting, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Laila Al-Yousef
A proponent of sustainability and women’s empowerment, Laila Al-Yousef co-established Say Studio to weave social responsibility into design. Her work with Surge for Water highlights her dedication to meaningful artistry, while her corporate office designs at Perkins+Will exemplify innovation.
Aziza Chaouni
The Moroccan architect addresses climate challenges through designs that are socially aware. Her resilient housing prototype for High Atlas communities and the innovative repurposing of a 1930s bus terminal exemplify architecture’s capability to create environmental and social impact.
Zoubeida Chtiba
Design by Tunisian designer Zoubeida Chtiba exhibits a mastery of modern simplicity. Utilizing warm tones and carefully positioned mirrors, she crafts serene and luminous spaces.
These outstanding female interior designers epitomize the forefront of Middle Eastern design, challenging standards and enhancing the creative reputation of the region on a global platform. Their upcoming projects in 2025 not only showcase Arab design proficiency but also emphasize the increasing significance of female leadership in influencing the built environment across the Arab world.
From honoring cultural heritage to spearheading sustainable practices, these designers are defining a new era in the region’s design narrative—one where women’s insights and creative visions are at the helm.