Some of the most iconic Emirati women we know discuss who their own icons are in life C O M P I L E D BY: O L I V I A M O R R I S
ICONS ALIA AL NEYADI
SARA TAMIMI
THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL EMIRATI BALLERINA @aliaalneyadii
FASHION DESIGNER & FOUNDER OF SARA TAMIMI @saratamimiofficial
To you, who are some iconic Emirati women? Personally, I have met so many incredible women who might not be on everyone’s radar but achieve incredible things. It is of course worth acknowledging all the successful Emirati women who have made headlines whether it is in politics, art, medicine, technology, management, sport, fashion, space and more. It would be unfair to just name a few, to me, what makes our nation special is that our leadership encourages all women to shine in their own way and choose their own path because our success is the success of a nation. This is ‘The Icon Issue’ – what or who do you believe to be iconic? An icon to me is someone who still manages to influence even when they are no longer with us. I know this is a celebration of Emirati women, but to me, if Sheikh Zayed didn’t encourage our strong women to be a part of society’s progress, we wouldn’t be where we are today. So while everybody takes the time to appreciate a strong woman, I take this time to give tribute to the man who valued and recognized the strength of a woman in a society, a man who believed that there is nothing a woman cannot achieve if she puts her mind to it, so thank you, and may we continue to make you proud for generations to come.
To you, who are some iconic Emirati women? There are countless iconic Emirati women, the list keeps growing every year. If I were to choose one, it would be my sister Noor Al Tamimi, who I aspire to be like and have good reason to look up to. To me, Noor exemplifies the ideal Emirati woman with her effortless way of remaining at the peak of her career, while being an idol for three sisters and five daughters. I say the word ‘effortlessly’ because she does it all with a natural passion and strong will, virtues that all iconic Emirati women share. She also owns up to playing a role in society. She is a board member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce as well as the founder of a successful business, Bedashing Beauty Lounge, a hub that spread
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across the UAE and expanded globally precisely for its brand personality of empowering women inside and out. Some people call her success luck or even pure hard work. But it takes the combination of kindness, humility, patience and the right set of values held close to her heart that makes her an icon to me. This is ‘The Icon Issue’ – what or who do you believe to be iconic? Grace Kelly is iconic. She defined a timeless elegance in what would be considered today a classic style, as one of the prominent contemporary tones of fashion in the mid-1950s. Her makeup. The dresses she wore. The button-down shirts. The handbags. She made simple seem so much more because she picked the right things to wear for the right occasions. And after all, Grace Kelly was the one to design the Hermès Kelly not just one of the most sought-after top handle bags, but a fashion investment in its own right. Anyone carrying a Kelly is making a statement. If that isn’t iconic, I don’t know what else would be.
SHEIKHA AL MHEIRI FOUNDER OF MAD (MAKING A DIFFERENCE) HOSPITALITY To you, who are some iconic Emirati women? Two iconic Emirati women to me are Muna Al Gurg and Najla Al-Midfa, the CEO of Sheraa. This is ‘The Icon Issue’ – what or who do you believe to be iconic? An educated and unique woman who inspired and carves a new way or discipline.
F E AT U R E
8/31/21 3:19 PM
