5 Female Saudi Designers to Look Out For at the First Downtown Design Riyadh Fair
Following graduation, Amani Al Ibrahim worked at design firms in Dubai, London, and Paris, pursuing a strong passion for design. Yeas later, she saw an opportunity to contribute to something 'meaningful,' especially as a Saudi designer, and joined renowned design firm Kristina Zanic Consultants. The designer has teamed up with BMW to create a VIP lounge for the fair, drawing inspiration from the landscapes and spirit of her homeland."
'Living in Riyadh, I've always felt a connection to the Tuwaiq Mountains. They are more than just a physical feature of the landscape,' she says, adding that these motifs also carry cultural and symbolic meaning that are often seen as a metaphor for strength and resilience in Saudi culture. 'With Downtown Design making its debut in the Kingdom, I felt it was important to root The BMW Lounge in something authentically local. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding terrain just came naturally.'
Budoor Althunayan, Dome Furniture & Blends Home Accessories
Photo: Dome Furniture & Blends Home Accessories
Design has always been a part of Budoor Althunayan's DNA. 'I grew up in an artistic family, and my father was one of the early leaders in the furniture industry. So creativity and craftsmanship were part of everyday life,' she says. Now the co-founder of Saidi-based Dome Furniture & Blends Home Accessories, Althunayan has been commissioned to infuse the halls of Downtown Design Riyadh with her distinctive cultural vision this month with the Sands Flow benches.
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