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Emirates Woman
09-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates Woman
How I got my job as... founder of The Bowery Company
This week, we speak to Christiane Nasr, founder of The Bowery Company. Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ' How I got my job as… ' where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they'd give to those starting out; and the hurdles they've had to overcome. Masterminded by the visionary entrepreneur, this go-to home decor destination is home to an exclusive portfolio of sought-after Scandinavian brands such as GUBI, Audo, &Tradition, Ferm Living, Verpan, and Louis Poulsen. With her chic curatorial eye and commitment to sustainability, Christiane has successfully filled beautiful homes and spaces with modern decor and scaled the business, including a recent opening of the Riyadh showroom. Here, Christiane shares her journey having embarked on a career change, her lessons learned as an entrepreneur, and her future goals. What was your favourite subject at school? Literature. I've always been drawn to stories, the emotion, the nuance, the perspectives. That ability to connect with ideas beyond your own reality has served me in every chapter of my life, whether I was structuring investment portfolios or curating design collections. I ended up studying at economics, mathematics and a minor in Russian Literature! What was your first job? I began my career in finance in Geneva as an investment advisor for UHNWI in the GCC and Europe and worked my way up to be an Investment Director for a leading European bank heading their investment office in Dubai, spending over 13 years in Geneva and the UAE. It was a high-pressure and high-stakes job, but it gave me discipline, resilience and the confidence to lead, take calculated risks, and trust my vision. What eventually brought you to Dubai? The bank I was working for in Geneva sent me to Dubai to head regional investments. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the city's energy and ambition it was in 2012. Dubai welcomes big dreams and fuels entrepreneurship, and that mindset is contagious. It sparked something in me and planted the seed for what would eventually become my next chapter. What inspired you to enter the interior and retail space and launch The Bowery Company? In 2014, I was in New York, walking down The Bowery Avenue, when I noticed a wave of industrial lighting and design shops, bold, raw and inspiring. That moment sparked something. Back in Dubai, I couldn't find furniture that was both design-driven and accessible. So I started The Bowery Company with a mission to 'Bring Design Home.' At first it was a side project, but in early 2018, I left banking entirely to pursue it full-time. It was the scariest and most liberating decision I have ever made. What are the key elements of your role? At its core, my role is rooted in vision and strategy, shaping the long-term trajectory of The Bowery Company while remaining deeply anchored in purpose. I am not just bringing design home, I am building a movement centered on timeless aesthetics, sustainability, and cultural relevance. It means making bold, forward-thinking decisions, whether it is entering new markets, as we did in Saudi Arabia, or redefining what affordable luxury looks like in the region. Above all, I lead a passionate, talented team, and my responsibility is to inspire, challenge, and foster a culture where creativity, innovation, and accountability thrive. Talk us through your daily routine. I wake up at 6am, spend quality time with my kids, then head to Barry's Bootcamp to set the tone for the day-I train there seven days a week. After that, it's coffee and straight into work mode. My days are a dynamic mix of strategic meetings, project development, curating new collections, and staying closely connected to our community of clients and collaborators. I work hand-in-hand with our Saudi team as we pursue major hotel, F&B, and commercial projects, while also reviewing marketing campaigns and planning our next launches. I usually head home around 7pm for dinner, homework, and bedtime routines with my kids 5 and 7 year olds then, I'm often back at my laptop for a few more hours to wrap up the day. I'm a hardcore entrepreneur; my workdays can stretch 12 to 16 hours. But I also believe deeply in work-life harmony. Some weeks allow space to recharge, while others demand focus and intensity. It's all part of building a business I am a firm believer in. What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps? Take risks. Don't listen to the noise. Take a leap of faith, and don't look back. Most importantly, embrace failure, because every setback brings you one step closer to success. Don't be afraid to pivot, I walked away from a 13-year career in finance to start from scratch in an entirely new industry. It is never too late to follow a calling but do it with clarity. Know your why, stay consistent, and never underestimate your inner power. What is the best piece of advice you ever received? No one else will write your story for you, you have to write your own recipe for success. Mine involved courage, discipline, a relentless belief in my vision, and a willingness to start over, even when the odds weren't in my favour. Once you realise that you don't need permission to begin, everything shifts. Tell us more about the brands and styles offered. We are the exclusive GCC representative for some of the world's most respected Scandinavian brands: Audo Copenhagen, Ferm Living, GUBI, &Tradition, Louis Poulsen, and more. These brands champion timeless aesthetics, ethical production, and enduring materials. The Bowery Company bring design home, offering warm minimalism with soul pieces that balance beauty, function, and sustainability. And what is the worst advice you ever received? 'Play it safe. Give up. Don't open in Saudi Arabia. You're over 40 years old, it is not time to take risks. Think of your kids you don't need to take bold moves now. Stay in your comfort zone.' If I had followed that advice, I'd still be in banking, comfortable, maybe, but constantly wondering 'what if?' Playing it safe doesn't build dreams. Growth comes from taking risks, leaning into discomfort, and saying yes to the things that scare you. That's where real transformation begins. What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome? The transition from banking to design was a radical shift, but the real challenge came in 2019, I faced another major challenge that pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. It was a pivotal moment where I made the conscious decision to give my last push to the business, and that was the turning point in my transformation. Since then, we have experienced double-digit growth, turning The Bowery Company into a multi-million dollar business. Today, our 10,000 square-feet flagship showroom in Riyadh stands as a symbol of that success. But none of it came easy, it came from showing up, again and again, and trusting in the magic of your dreams. Never give up. You're stronger than you think. What are your goals for the future? To expand across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, deepen our collaboration with Vision 2030 projects, and keep driving the conversation around sustainability in design. I also want to mentor and support other women taking the leap into entrepreneurship. Ultimately, The Bowery Company is about more than bringing design home and beautiful interiors, it is about living courageously, consciously, and beautifully. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
Tatler Asia
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Tatler Asia
Embracing warm minimalism: Beyond austerity in interior design
Material considerations Above A kitchen space exemplifying warm minimalism's core principles: tactile materials, organic forms, and restrained decoration (Photo: Fermliving) The foundation of warm minimalism lies in its thoughtful use of materials. Wood, rattan, linen, wool, leather, and stone add texture and organic warmth to spaces. These natural elements soften the minimalist aesthetic while maintaining its essential clarity. Don't miss: Mid-Century Danish Rattan: How iconic designs became Southeast Asia's everyday furniture Above Lighting becomes a focal element in warm minimalist design with paper pendant lights introducing organic shapes and diffused illumination (Photo: Fermliving) Soft, layered lighting plays a crucial role in warm minimalist interiors. Table lamps, pendant lights, and candles create a gentle, inviting glow that transforms even the most simple space into one that feels intimate and welcoming. Furniture featuring organic shapes and rounded edges softens the space and adds visual interest without introducing clutter. These pieces often serve multiple functions, maximising utility without sacrificing comfort. Read more: Georg Jensen unveils Lituus: Danish designer's sculptural vases transform flower care Personal expression within restraint Above A sculptural chair and marble coffee table serve as functional art pieces, while recessed shelving creates depth without disrupting the room's serene composition (Photo: Audo) What distinguishes warm minimalism from its predecessors is its allowance for personal expression. The approach encourages displaying carefully chosen personal items or artisanal pieces, such as ceramics, family photos, or handmade textiles, that add character without overwhelming the space. This curated approach to decor supports the philosophy of mindful consumption. By selecting fewer, more meaningful items, warm minimalism creates homes that tell personal stories while maintaining visual tranquillity. See also: Super human: Naoto Fukasawa talks design Sustainable living through design Above Warm minimalist dining area where natural light and biophilic elements create harmony with simple wooden furnishings (Photo:&Tradition) Warm minimalism naturally supports sustainable living by encouraging thoughtful purchasing and the use of eco-friendly materials. The movement's emphasis on quality over quantity leads to acquiring fewer, higher-quality items that last longer, such as reclaimed wood, organic fabrics, and those with timeless design appeal. This makes warm minimalism not only an aesthetic choice but also a responsible approach to home design in an era of increased environmental awareness. The focus on durability and timelessness counteracts the environmental impact of trend-driven consumption. Don't miss: Biophilic luxury: 7 stunning nature-integrated resorts Achieving warm minimalism in your home Above The restrained furniture arrangement features sculptural modular seating in soft buttery tones, while the woven folding chair introduces subtle textural contrast (Photo: &Tradition) Creating a warm minimalist home begins with establishing a warm neutral base—walls painted in creamy whites, soft taupes, or warm greiges. These colours form a serene foundation for the space. Layering textures and materials adds depth without visual complexity. Woven rugs, linen curtains, wooden furniture, and leather cushions bring tactile warmth that invites touch and creates comfort. Read more: Le Creuset at 100: How enamelled cast iron cookware conquered culinary culture Above The careful juxtaposition of textures—from the nubby fabric to the smooth wooden panels and metallic accents—demonstrates how material contrast can create visual richness without requiring decorative excess (Photo: &Tradition) Ambient lighting transforms a space from day to night. Multiple light sources at different heights create atmosphere and flexibility, allowing the home to transition from active morning use to evening relaxation. Furniture with simple silhouettes and rounded edges maintains minimalist clarity while adding comfort. These pieces often feature natural materials that age beautifully, developing character over time. NOW READ 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers Award-winning Malaysian architect Lok Wooi: Architects must be optimistic for sustainable design Home tour: Malaysian indoor-outdoor home blends concrete design with African influences Best of Tatler Asia video highlights Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
