Desk Diaries: Jewellery Designer Resham Khan Shows Us Her Studio Dripping In Gems

Harpers Bazaar Arabia

13-06-2025

Step inside one of Dubai's most chic office spaces where you'll find Arkay Jewellery's founder creating pieces to covet behind her designer desk
Resham has done a pretty fabulous job at finding the perfect work/life balance. Founder of Arkay Jewellery, the mother-of-three gets her work out, school-run and socialising in most days, in addition to creating some of the most bougie bijoux around. Her curated office in Dubai's Gold and Diamond Park is a shiny, suburban oasis, a reflection of what matters most to the designer and has been her office space for five years and counting. 'My office reflects everything I love about what I do – it's warm, welcoming, and designed to make people feel good. It's not just a workspace; it's a place where people come to enjoy a happy afternoon, have a coffee, and do a bit of shopping,' Resham told Bazaar Arabia during a recent tour of the space where all the magic happens…
What role does your desk play in your workday? A very intentional role in my everyday life. I don't sit there every single day because I don't believe in just being in the office from nine to six for the sake of it. I usually go to my desk about three to four times a week, and when I do, it's with purpose. I work at my full efficiency, and once I feel like I'm no longer being productive, I get up and leave. It's not about clocking hours – it's about showing up with intention and using that space to actually create, think, and get things done.
Describe the feel and aesthetic of your office and why you chose it? Cosy and maximal. I really wanted it to feel like a space where you could walk in, instantly relax, and just enjoy being there – whether you're staying for 30 minutes or three hours, which most of our clients actually end up doing! It's layered, warm, and thoughtfully put together, but never intimidating. If you know, you know – it's that kind of vibe.
Did you have a clear vision of your office space or has it evolved organically over time? To be honest, I didn't at the start – it really evolved. I had been in the same space for five years, and I had just completely run out of ideas. When you spend so much time in one place, it becomes really hard to see it differently or imagine a new direction. That's when I brought in Aleena [Spaces by Aleena], and she was amazing. I just told her, 'I want different, I want bold, I want maximal,' and she took it from there. She literally brought to life exactly what I didn't even know I had envisioned. I don't usually work with designers, but in her case, it was the best decision. I had completely lost my creative vision for the space, and she made it feel brand new.
What is the one thing on your desk you can't live without? My notebook. I'm just not the kind of person who can jot things down on my phone – it doesn't work for me. When inspiration strikes, I need to draw what I've envisioned immediately or write the idea down straight away. My notebook is that link between what I experience in daily life, and how I bring it into my work through my desk and my office. It's where everything begins.
What is your favourite nook in the space and why? My desk – it's definitely my comfort zone. It's not where I usually meet clients, but it's where I go when I need a quiet moment, a cup of tea, or just a little spark of inspiration. Whether I'm feeling motivated or even a bit off, sitting at my desk always helps me feel more centered. And I'm intentional about how I use it – I don't let myself just sit and scroll. It's a space I treat with purpose, and it really grounds me throughout the day.
How does your office effect your mood? A huge impact. In my everyday life, I'm a mother, a wife, a daughter – everything I do revolves around others, which I truly love. My home is warm and comforting, but my office is the one space that's completely mine. It's dedicated to me, my ideas, my vision and my work. That makes it incredibly special and meaningful. It's very hard for me to walk into my office and leave in a bad mood. No matter how I'm feeling when I arrive, I almost always leave feeling lighter, more focused, and inspired.
What item holds the most memories in your office? Honestly, there isn't one specific item – it's the space as a whole. Every corner of it represents a different chapter of the journey. I started from scratch, truly from nothing, and built the brand into what it is today. So for me, the office itself is the memory. It's not about one object ‒ it's about everything that's happened within those walls.
What is your work uniform? A mix of high-end and local brands. I'm not really into fast fashion, so you'll usually find me in beautiful pieces from local designers like Sobia Gulzad, The Label, or Tiya by Sania Maskatiya. On the high-end side, some of my favourites are Loewe and Miu Miu. And, if you follow me, you already know I'm a budding Hermès collector ‒ so there's usually a special piece or two in the mix.
What part of what you do fulfills you the most? It's the clients who walk in and trust me – who give me the opportunity to do what I love, support the brand, and invest in the pieces we create. Every time I see someone genuinely happy with something I've made, it feels surreal. That moment of joy, however small or fleeting, is what truly fulfills me. It reminds me that what I do can bring real happiness into someone's life. Every single person who has supported my business has played a role in getting me to where I am today, and I'm so deeply grateful for that. Jewellery is fun, the creative process is fun—but having people believe in you and trust your vision? That's a whole different level of fulfilment.
From Harper's Bazaar Arabia June 2025 Issue.