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DESIGNING EMOTION WITHIN STRUCTURE

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Exclusive interview with Michaela Ferrari, Italian architect and designer, Miki Ferrari

As an architect and founder, how do you define your role today, are you primarily a creative director, a business strategist, or a custodian of craftsmanship?

    My main role is that of Creative Director for the brand, ensuring that our products are designed to be ultra-stylish and supremely comfortable. I am lucky to have a team that supports me on all other aspects of our business, including operations, production, marketing and sales. This gives me the freedom to focus on design, and the comfort to know my designs will be beautifully brought to life, and efficiently delivered to the customers.

    Your philosophy speaks about “thinking with the heart” and often reference fashion as an inspiration. In a highly technical industry, how do you protect emotion within structure? And How does couture thinking translate into sofa design?

    The beauty of what we do, is that the free flow of creativity is complimented by the institutional structure, not constrained by it. Design for the sake of design is ego – instead, we think with the heart, and we create with the hand.  I think of the heart as the source of creativity, and the hand as the source of structure, and the two compliment each other. Like couture fashion, our sofas are proportioned, structured, with elevated materials and intentional detailing. The pieces are structured and supportive, a sculptural statement as refined on the inside as the outside – tailored and precise, much like a hand-crafted gown. 

    Architecture trains you to think about space; furniture requires intimacy with the human body. How did you transition between those two scales?

    One way to think of it, is to see the human body as an architectural form, and the products we produce are designed to support and embrace the human form, at both a physical and emotional level. The principles of design are similar; in architecture you create spaces for the body to move in and experience, whereas furniture, you design for rest, for intimate connection between the body and object. I consider furniture more personal in the sense that it is about physical points of contact, and how shapes, texture, proportion and subtle detailing can envelope one in such comfort, making them feel entirely at ease.

    Middle Eastern interiors often embrace bold statements and layered textures. How does your design language adapt to this cultural context?

    Our designs are recognized for their simple beauty and comfort, and the layering comes not from a mix of colors, rather from the variety of textures in our fabrics, so although our fabrics are mostly solid colors, the different textures add a layer of beauty to the product. It enhances one’s tactile experience and ensures that beauty is not only seen, it is felt. The natural lines and simplicity of our furniture aligns with all contemporary styles whether vibrant or muted, and we look forward to sharing our know-how and craftsmanship with a discerning Middle Eastern clientele.

    • The Ambrè sofa form feels organic and enveloping, what was the conceptual starting point behind its silhouette?

    Ambrè’s natural curved lines and soft fabric invite you to relax into it, the design follows a continuous, organic line that wraps around the sitter. It is a good representation of my design thinking, in creating sofas that embrace the human form. We don’t design sofas to fit a space, we design sofas to fit the human form and to enhance the human experience.

    Your collections emphasize goose feathers, premium leathers, selected woods, and composite materials. How do you decide when tradition leads, and when innovation takes over?

    We are Italian, so tradition always leads, in everything we do.  The ‘Made in Italy’ stamp is important to me in my craft, and even when we are being innovative, the starting point is always our tradition of craftsmanship and our reverence for design. Innovation then becomes the way we can leverage these traditions to create products that are always authentic, always human-centric and always beautiful. With great attention to detail, we push forward with modernism but always remain true to the legacy of Italian design elegance, quality and functional aesthetics.

    The launch in the UAE signals a new international chapter. What does this expansion represent personally for you?

    We are very proud of what we represent, and the worldwide respect for ‘Made in Italy’ as a global mark of quality and authenticity; for us to be ambassadors and share the philosophy behind this concept means a great deal to us. We are proud to join a long list of brands that have redefined the way the world views creativity and luxury in design, and have stood to develop global standards for quality and craftsmanship.

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    Deyaar builds on its 2026 handover momentum with 711 new homes at Tria in Dubai Silicon Oasis

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    Deyaar Development PJSC (Deyaar), a DFM-listed integrated real estate company and one of Dubai’s leading developers, has announced the handover of Tria, a landmark residential development that brings a new scale of elevated living to Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Rising prominently above its surroundings, the development comprises 711 residences and six retail units, distinguished by a striking three-wing architectural form designed to create three unique view corridors, ensuring residents enjoy prime outlooks across the Dubai skyline, Dubai Silicon Oasis and the surrounding parklands.

    The handover lifts Deyaar’s deliveries in 2026 to more than 2,100 units, following the completion of 1,436 units across Regalia, Jannat and Talia Residences earlier in the first half. Built with families in mind, Tria pairs its homes with podium and rooftop amenities that include swimming pools, landscaped gardens, children’s areas, fitness and wellness facilities, sports courts, social spaces, and outdoor dining and entertainment areas.

    Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami, CEO of Deyaar, said: “Earlier this year we welcomed owners to three of our projects across Dubai. Today, Tria adds another 711 homes to that momentum. It was conceived as a modern urban sanctuary, and seeing it come to life in the heart of Dubai Silicon Oasis is a proud moment for Deyaar. We thank our owners and investors for their trust, and our partners, contractors, government stakeholders and team for making it possible.”

    With more than two decades of experience across residential, commercial and hospitality developments, Deyaar continues to diversify its portfolio and build on its momentum this year. Tria reflects a clear vision: creating vibrant communities where thoughtful design, wellbeing and lasting value shape the way Dubai lives.

    As Deyaar looks ahead, its focus remains on scaling a balanced pipeline of projects, strengthening its position as one of Dubai’s most dynamic developers and contributing to the emirate’s long-term urban growth.

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    Burjeel Holdings Launches Preventive Cardiac Campaign Across Its UAE Hospital Network for World Heart Day

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    Burjeel Holdings launched “The Cardiograms of Love”, a World Heart Day campaign that transformed everyday expressions of affection into cardiogram-inspired visuals, encouraging people across the UAE to turn care for their loved ones into a proactive step towards heart health.

    The campaign was activated across five Burjeel Holdings facilities in the UAE, including Burjeel Hospital, Burjeel Day Surgery Center, and Burjeel Medical Center in Abu Dhabi, as well as Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah and Burjeel Royal Hospital in Al Ain.

    Built around a simple human insight, the campaign connected the words people use to express care for those closest to them with the rhythm of a heartbeat. Familiar messages such as “You mean the world to me” and “Stay healthy for me” were transformed into six distinct cardiogram illustrations, linking emotional expressions of love with the importance of preventive cardiac care.

    Each artwork represented a different personal relationship, including parent, partner, child, sibling and friend, and carried a unified call to action: “Love someone. Get their heart checked.”

    Rather than relying on a single campaign launch, “The Cardiograms of Love” was rolled out across Burjeel Holdings’ UAE network from 27 to 29 September, with participating facilities premiering different pairs of visuals before the wider network amplified and re-shared the remaining creatives. This created a coordinated, rolling campaign across the three-day period.

    Ahead of the public rollout, clinicians and administrative teams across the participating Burjeel facilities were briefed on the campaign and encouraged to share the visuals with people in their personal networks. The internal activation was supported by direct WhatsApp outreach to patients, while social media links connected audiences directly to cardiac screening booking channels.

    The campaign also invited members of the public to create their own personalised cardiogram messages using a simple digital prompt and share them with someone they loved. This extended the campaign beyond traditional healthcare communication, encouraging people to pass the message directly between family members and friends.

    Through the campaign, Burjeel Holdings highlighted the importance of regular cardiac assessments as part of preventive healthcare, particularly for people with recognised risk factors, including older adults and individuals with a family history of cardiovascular conditions.

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    SHEIN Opens the Doors to Fall/Winter 2026 with ‘The SHEIN Hotel’ at Al Habtoor Palace

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    SHEIN has unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 collection in spectacular fashion by transforming Al Habtoor Palace Dubai into The SHEIN Hotel: Behind Every Door, an immersive fashion destination where more than 30 leading Middle Eastern fashion icons, regional tastemakers and industry insiders gathered to experience the brand’s latest seasonal showcase.

    Blending fashion with immersive storytelling, the event took guests beyond the traditional runway and into The SHEIN Hotel, a boutique hotel-inspired experience created to bring the FW26 collection to life. Upon arrival, guests “checked in” and received collectible room keys, inviting them to unlock five distinct fashion worlds, each representing a different mood and expression of personal style.

    The experience culminated on the runway, where the five fashion directions came to life through Power Dressing, Soft Glam, Retro Remix, Regal Maximalism and Modest Elegance. Each was anchored by a distinctive showcase look, from dramatic tailoring and pastel tulle to flowing capes, sculptural silhouettes and crystal embellishments, before all five styles came together for the finale.

    And the experience extends beyond the runway. Through SHEIN’s “See Now, Buy Now” approach, consumers can discover and shop the styles presented in Dubai through the SHEIN App and website. By searching Room26 on the SHEIN App, shoppers can explore curated new arrivals spanning all five FW26 fashion directions.

    At the heart of FW26 is the idea that women dress differently depending on how they feel, where they are and what the moment calls for. “The Key to Every Vibe” celebrates this freedom, with styles designed for every mood, from confident and bold to soft, playful, glamorous or understated. Through five distinct fashion directions, the collection gives women more ways to express their personal style and choose the look that feels right for them.

    Power Dressing leads with oversized blazers, sharp tailoring and structured outerwear that create a confident and purposeful look. Strong silhouettes make it a collection for moments when women want to make their presence felt.

    Soft Glam takes a gentler approach, using silk, lace, delicate knits and fluid silhouettes to combine comfort with femininity. The result is polished but relaxed, designed to move easily between different occasions.

    Retro Remix looks to the past for inspiration, bringing plaid, denim, collegiate knits and vintage details into a contemporary wardrobe. Familiar styles are reinterpreted for a playful approach to everyday dressing.

    For women looking to make a stronger statement, Regal Maximalism brings together crystals, metallic textures and rich detailing. Bold and expressive, the collection is designed for occasions when the outfit itself becomes part of the celebration.

    Modest Elegance completes the five directions with flowing maxi silhouettes, refined tailoring and graceful layering. Its elegant proportions offer a contemporary approach to modest fashion while maintaining a sense of poise and confidence.

    The five fashion worlds bring “The Key to Every Vibe” to life, giving women the freedom to move between different expressions of themselves and find a look that reflects the mood, moment or occasion.

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