Connect with us

Entrepreneurs

Khalid Mezaina: The Versatile Emirati Artist Redefining Dubai’s Art Scene

Avatar photo

Published

on

Khalid Mezaina’s is full-bodied artistry that blurs the lines of definition around Dubai’s revolutionary evolution; eclectic through more than just textiles, murals, and comic stretches into all sorts of other shapes is Mezaina’s curatorial entrance to the heart of Emirati roots and brings in the state of modern and global influences. Some of the notable ones include his mind-blowing Rove Hotel mural and being an educator who inspires upcoming generations of artists. His work is not only about personal stories but also a grand celebration of the tapestry richly alive in Dubai.

Khalid Mezaina journeyed in art early under the vibrant culture in Dubai. He then graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2006 with his BS in Visual Communication, which became a foundation for expressing him creatively. But Khalid didn’t end here. After working in the UAE cultural sector as a graphic designer and project coordinator with Sharjah Art Foundation and Tashkeel, among other institutions of distinction, Khalid went on to pursue his master’s in Textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 2018. Such an excellent educational grounding with practical experience makes the work of Khalid stand out in this rapidly evolving city that is Dubai. His practice does not revolve around one medium; he actively experiments with different forms of visual communication ranging from textiles and murals to comic books and surface design.

Khalid’s style is always changing from project to project, but there’s a subtle yet strong Emirati thread running throughout his work. The latest mural by Khalid for Rove Hotel is a cartooned laundromat in bright color tones, capturing daily Dubai life. This mural is testament to Khalid’s ability to make tradition contemporary, and yet familiar and refreshing. His work adorns the hotel’s “cabinet of curiosities,” illustrated prints feeding all senses of his attention to detail and storytelling abilities. His commitment to recording culture and rapid development in the UAE is something he has made himself committed to throughout his artistic career. His works often reflect the joy he finds in other everyday elements, from comic books to dance, music, and even the city itself.

It is one of the marks left by Khalid Mezaina-one of his qualities, indeed: driving art’s accessibility. He believed that art should be taken out of the galleries and brought into the wider realms of life, sharing the stories that touch a wider public sphere. His self-initiated projects and commissioned works take the message to people living in daily life-be it a mural on a hotel wall or a print hanging in someone’s home. Khalid’s work goes beyond looking cute. The pieces often translate into richer narratives about the accelerated evolution of Dubai and his personal histories growing up in the city. Khalid then uses this contemporary infusion with traditional elements to design artwork not only enticing but also tells a story and holds deep history about the UAE’s past, its present, and maybe its future.

Besides the passion he lays into his work, Khalid Mezaina is also significantly concerned with infusing the new generation of artists. He often performs workshops for children as well as adults, showcasing his knowledge to young Dubai artists so they may realize their creative voice. Commitment to education in the arts: His training workshops where experimentation and exploration are encouraged, and hands-on experience of all techniques of processes, ranging from screen printing to illustration. Khalid aims for future generations so that art may become a profession and a means of self-expression. He’s a trainer and an artist at the same time, and thus, he is at the heart of artistic life blooming in Dubai.

The future of Khalid Mezaina is as bright and colorful as his work is. With time, the establishing art hub in Dubai will probably continue to expand Khalid’s presence in the world of art. As such, he continues ensuring a balance between self-initiated projects and freelance and client-based commissions through various mediums used and across different mediums to push his creative boundaries.

Khalid Mezaina undoubtedly stands among the most exciting figures within the UAE art scene. His perfect blend of heritage and innovation along with an innate curiosity in pursuing artistic pursuits brings joy, colour, and meaning into everyday life, but it also documents the face of change around Dubai. Within his work, Khalid Mezaina continues telling stories, creating connections, and inspiring the next generation of artists.

Vanity Stardom is your trusted source for news, stories, and insights on entrepreneurs, artists, and notable personalities from the UAE and around the world. Our platform provides diverse coverage, bringing you the latest updates and in-depth features across various fields. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our content, the views and opinions expressed in our posts belong to our editorial team and contributors and may not represent the official position of Vanity Stardom. We encourage our readers to use discretion and seek professional advice when necessary.

Entrepreneurs

Huda Kattan: The Beauty Mogul Transforming Dubai’s Influence on Global Beauty

Avatar photo

Published

on

Huda Kattan is the genius behind Huda Beauty and a global phenomenon of beauty that shows how the world can take and manage cosmetics in another way. This multiple-million-dollar brand has been turned into a huge product with millions of followers online because of an outstanding makeup line. From a small-town girl from elsewhere in Dubai, she has become one of the top influencers out there.

Huda Kattan’s rise to fame is without a parallel. She was born to Iraqi immigrants in Oklahoma, but the life of a finance graduate took a dramatic turn when she joined Huda Beauty as its founder, building what would become one of the biggest makeup companies within years. Here’s her captivating story. Kattan has garnered over 50 million followers on Instagram and an empire that spans the globe; she will tell you that with determination, all your dreams can come through. Huda Kattan was born on October 2, 1983, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She spent her childhood in a small house with three siblings, and her family kept on changing addresses until they settled in Tennessee. Even though Kattan graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in finance, her first love remains to be beauty; in 2006, she accompanied her father to Dubai after he was promoted to teach as a teacher.

Kattan was passionate about makeup and soon found her way to Los Angeles, where she went to learn makeup artistry and afterwards would work for some of Hollywood’s big names including Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie. Returning to Dubai, she’d become a makeup artist for Revlon, but it was in 2010 that her life dramatically changed. She started her beauty blog with the encouragement of her sister, and dubbed it “Huda Beauty.” There she shares makeup tutorials and certain tricks and tips. When word spread about the blog, Kattan’s brand brought the offer to the public eye when she launched her first product in 2013: a line of false eyelashes that caused sensational waves after Kim Kardashian wore them. This marked the beginning of the meteoric rise of Huda Beauty as one of the powerhouses in the cosmetics world.

From false eyelashes to a full-fledged beauty brand, Huda Beauty today encompasses an entire gamut of makeup products-from eyeshadow palettes to foundations and lipsticks and highlighters and the rest. All these have been the result of Kattan’s eye for detail and solid knowledge in the beauty trends that she experts in. Huda Beauty is today run from Dubai, where it has not only caused change in the makeup markets but rather influenced trends regarding beauty globally. It is millions of Hollywood celebrities and beauty fanatics alike who are attracted to her brand’s innovative formulas and daring packaging, with Huda Beauty having captured everyone’s heart.

Social media portals have been one of the ingredients in Kattan’s recipe for success. Having an insider who connects with millions on Instagram, YouTube, and other social media portals, she has built a self-contained fan group waiting with bated breath for her latest product launches and beauty tips. Authenticity and reliability have attracted her massive followership away from other beauty influencers. In 2017, Kattan emerged as the top instagrammer on the “Instagram Rich List,” commanding $18,000 per sponsored post, and was named Forbes’ “Most Powerful Beauty Influencers.” Her influence is undeniable-inside days after she touts it, the product sells out; her personal endorsements are rumoured to make or break the beauty industry.

Kattan is a committed philanthropist. She has used the brand she co-founded, Huda Beauty, as a mouthpiece to advocate for causes ranging from social justice to body-positivity. In 2020, her company donated $500,000 to the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund to promote racial justice work in the United States. She also started the #trashtag movement to bring in transparency from beauty companies by tagging photos edited to unrealistic beauty standards. Kattan has also lent her voice to some worthy humanitarian causes, such as raising money for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), food drives and her support for the 100 Million Meals initiative. That work embodies a belief in the power of her own platform for good.

The Huda Kattan saga exhibits passion, extremely arduous work, and creativity, which can take one to unimaginable heights. And Huda Kattan is only just beginning. As her innovative move continues to disrupt the world, so will the world watch her next step.

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

Fazza: The Crown Prince of Dubai Leading with Poetry, Adventure, and Passion

Avatar photo

Published

on

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, or Fazza as he’s called in life, is a Dubai Crown Prince, but the prince inspires a global audience. He goes beyond his royal functions in being a potent force, one whose influence runs the gamut from sensitive poetry that brings intimate views of his life to leading a thriving Dubai into a brighter future. His passion for animals and cultural tidbits finds a balance with personal adventures, drawing in millions on social media. Each post is a peek into the life of the royal who embraces modernity but holds dear to his Emirati heritage.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, nicknamed Fazza in his writing, is the Crown Prince of Dubai, a talented horseman, and an influential poet. Born on November 14, 1982, Fazza has taken the hearts of millions around the world with his multifaceted roles, from political leadership to his personal love for animals, poetry, and adventure. Fazza is the Arabic title that translates to “the one who helps”; it is more than just a name, but rather a testament to the chivalrous personality of Sheikh Hamdan. His poems, which reflect the themes of wisdom, love, and patriotism, represent Emirati culture. These works, most of which have been penned in classical Arabic, influence people around the world, signifying his sense of mastery over his culture and heritage.

Sheikh Hamdan’s poetic workings were also appreciated for carrying emotionalistic love for his nation, his family, and his Emirati fellows. This modern poet, Fazza, might blend what used to be considered traditional themes with contemporary reflections while standing as a symbol and an ambassador of UAE culture.

Therefore, leadership qualities are being incubated within Sheikh Hamdan. Educated initially at the Rashid School for Boys in Dubai, then trained in the UK and graduated from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2001, he was later educated in London at the London School of Economics, acquiring knowledge on governance, economics, and public administration. It was these academic experiences that gave him the tools for leadership in increasingly complex and interconnected societies.

In 2008, Fazza was elevated as the Crown Prince of Dubai following his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. That year also formed part of the leadership stream through the UAE. Official positions carried out by him are Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Defense Minister as of 2024, which also forms a state position in shaping Dubai’s future. One of the most fascinating aspects of Sheikh Hamdan’s life is his enthusiasm for adventure and games on horseback. Being a great horseman, Fazza took part in numerous international competitions, representing UAE, so, thus winning rewards and respect due to his talent. Many world titles at World Equestrian Games show his deep seriousness to the sport.

Fazza influence is not limited to political and cultural realities only. Sheikh Hamdan, who has more than 15 million followers on Instagram, is the human exhibit that features everyone with glances of private and public life. There are often breathtaking moments from his global travel, interaction with family, and deep affection to his horses and falcons. His Instagram account is more than a collection of images-it is a window into the life of a modern royal balancing tradition with modernity. For those following Fazza, it’s clear that his social media presence didn’t happen because of an attempt to boast over a luxurious lifestyle. His posts call in his audience to hold close nature and the value of tradition, family, and adventurous exploration-he’s been made a darling of the UAE and many beyond.

Sheikh Hamdan has played a significant role in international promotion, alongside which achievement was the successful effort to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. He has been one of the authorities behind winning the right for Dubai to host the world event that shaped the city into a global innovation, culture, and business hub. Fazza launched Dubai Global in 2022, which focuses on establishing a strong Dubai footprint in global markets. Another of his contributions to the preservation of culture is the launch of the Hamdan International Photography Award, HIPA, in 2011. HIPA is a global photography contest that celebrates photography as an art and encourages creativity in providing a platform for photographers to showcase their work across the globe.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, known affectionately by his pen name Fazza, is the quintessential leader, adventurer, and cultural icon in every sense. Inspired by wisdom, passion, and courage, Fazza continues to inspire millions through his poetry, leadership, and influence across the globe. His royal duties or his poetry; his daring adventures or love for adventure, Fazza is the epitome of modern leadership abiding by tradition but boldly embracing the future.

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

Joelle Mardinian: Empowering Arab Women through Beauty and Business

Avatar photo

Published

on

Joelle Mardinian started from being a humble makeup artist in Lebanon all the way to becoming one of the influential women, not just in Dubai but internationally- Joelle has built an empire branching out into high-end salons, cosmetic clinics, and skincare lines. Her ride from Beirut to Dubai is one that has not only changed her life but has also inspired millions of women in the Middle East to pursue their passion and dreams. As a self-made entrepreneur and TV personality, Joelle Mardinian is proof that passion and persistence can create lasting success. Joelle Mardinian is the epitome of passion, dedication, and sheer ambition.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Joelle has always been close to the beauty world. It was in London that she started off as a makeup artist, cutting her teeth on the skills intricacies of the trade. And yet, it was in 2004 when she moved to Dubai that a whole new chapter began to slowly rocket her to the highest point in the Middle East’s beauty trade. In 2008, she founded a luxury beauty salon, Maison de Joelle. It has since become a destination for those women who want the best in beauty treatments.

Maison de Joelle is known for sophisticated and welcoming ambiance. Different services are presented there from hairstyling and makeup to skincare and body treatments. It has over 14 branches in the Middle East. Here, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, Joelle’s flagship salon sets new standards in beauty service in the region. With a vision as simple as profound, Joelle had envisioned Maison de Joelle to be a place wherein women would enhance their beauty but also walk away empowered. The fact that she understood the business of beauty and how to give effective services would mean such a salon would never be in the position the salon is today-achieving all the success it enjoys today. In 2013, Joelle expanded her business by introducing Clinica Joelle, which is a cosmetic clinic dedicated to procedures with no invasive procedure, such as botox, fillers, and skin rejuvenation.

The clinic quickly proliferated to five locations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt, offering clients a range of advanced cosmetic treatments performed by expert practitioners. The safety and quality emphasis at Clinica Joelle has marked it as a name that is trusted in cosmetic care in the region. The drive shown by Joelle towards being innovative and pushing for highly advanced treatments has helped Clinic Joelle gain a different edge compared to other cosmetic clinics. This mixed medical acumen with deep beauty knowledge to come up with a clinic that meets the aesthetic needs of her clients and maintains good health and wellness at its core. Unsatisfied with just salons and clinics, Joelle further expanded her beauty empire by launching Joelle Paris- a skincare brand that incorporated natural ingredients with scientific innovation.

Boasting to be the brand that represents women in the Middle East, Joelle Paris hit the supermarket shelves with a boom. From its products right down to its standalone stores across the region, especially the first standalone store that was opened in Kurdistan, every product says class and innovation. Anti-aging serums, nourishing hair treatments-here’s Joelle Paris saving the day for ladies who want some effective, luxurious skincare solutions. She is also a pretty face in the media, hosting “Just Joelle,” one of the longest-running makeover shows on MBC1.

For 13 years, Joelle changed many women’s lives, giving them more than just makeovers and an improved outer look but also a renewed sense of self-confidence and worth. Such was the success of this show, confirming the way Joelle connects with people and really cares about making women look good inside and outside. Outside of the business world, Joelle extends her influence through more than 9.5 million followers on Instagram and an additional 2.5 million followers on Facebook. She provides beauty tips, personal stories, and lessons in business to inspire and motivating millions of people who go about chasing their dreams and embracing their inner beauty.

She is going from makeup artist to beauty mogul inspiring women across the Middle East and becoming a role model for entrepreneurs and single mothers. She was a self-made entrepreneur, a single mother of two, who has proved that if there is proper vision and sheer willpower, one can reach sublime success. Her businesses keep growing just like the influence of Joelle as a beauty icon and business leader.

Continue Reading

Trending