Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel mark ten years of the Emergent Designer Prize with a landmark exhibition at the newly renovated Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba in Dubai. The exhibition pays tribute to creativity. It showcases the winning works of designers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Since its inception in 2013, the Emergent Designer Prize has nurtured emerging regional talent. It invites participants to submit proposals for functional design pieces inspired by an annually changing theme. Over the years, the initiative has recognized ten winners and numerous talented finalists, each of whom has brought a distinctive vision to life through locally sourced materials and innovative craftsmanship.
A Platform for Regional Talent
The Prize is structured to provide more than recognition. Winners and runners-up receive a five-day course at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Dubai. The grand prize includes a design-focused residency in Paris—an opportunity to engage directly with the history and future of fine craftsmanship through Van Cleef & Arpels’ cultural ecosystem.
Founded by the Maison, L’ÉCOLE is dedicated to preserving jewelry heritage and craftsmanship. It plays a central role in the program’s wider aim: to nurture creative talent through education, exposure, and mentorship.
The 2024 Edition: Inspiring Winds
This year’s theme, “Inspiring Winds,” called on designers to explore movement, transformation, and the region’s deep connection to natural elements.
The winning piece, Dhow Kite by Hajar Al Tenaiji, draws from the historical role of wind in Emirati pearl diving and dhow sailing. Combining traditional reference with contemporary design language, the work invites younger generations to engage with heritage through sustainability and play.
The jury panel included Emirati architect Abdalla AlMulla, Paris-based designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, Amman Design Week co-founder Rana Beiruti, Qatar-based design consultant Shaikha Al-Sulaiti, and Talib Choudhry of Architectural Digest Middle East.
Highlights from the Exhibition
The exhibition showcases both the 2024 finalists and previous winners. Key works include:
Breezeborn Console by Lamies Yahya
A sculptural console made from reclaimed wood, inspired by desert landscapes shaped by wind. Its curved form and textured finish evoke erosion and continuity.
No Beginning Chandelier by Khaled Al Kathir
A suspended lighting piece crafted from recycled cork and sand. Its form reflects the wind’s effect on natural surfaces—fluid, organic, and rooted in place.
The exhibition runs for seven weeks and offers a comprehensive view of how design in the region has evolved—both materially and conceptually—over the past decade.
Looking Ahead
The tenth anniversary marks a turning point. What began as an award program has grown into a regional platform for sustainable and culturally grounded design.
“For ten editions, the Emergent Designer Prize has been a testament to Van Cleef & Arpels’ unwavering commitment to creativity and craftsmanship in the region,” says Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India. “Each edition brings forward new incredible talent.”
“This exhibition celebrates the remarkable 10-year partnership between Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel, born from a shared passion for excellence in art and design,” adds Salim Ahmed, Senior Design Projects Supervisor at Tashkeel. “This partnership has been a driving force in elevating design innovation across the region.”
The next edition of the Prize is already in development. The new theme: Blooming Poetry.