Dubai’s Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs

Zakiya Dhiyab Hamed Al Zakwani
Founder, ZPROYECTO CHI COUTURE CLOTHING
(https://zproyecto.com)

Zakiya Dhiyab Hamed Al Zakwani launched the business with the aim of combining beautiful handmade, natural products with her innate healing skills and knowledge. And so, a range unlike anything offered anywhere else in the world was born.

Today, the culmination of her philosophies is embodied in the exquisite Chi Couture range, which, in her words, “Offers everyone the chance to enjoy our range, which combines fashion with holistic wellbeing – in this case, crystal healing. Many people are skeptical about crystal healing. I want to change that mindset. I want more people to experience a semi-precious stone’s effect – at least through our clothing line – and we are sure they will come back to learn more. Chi Couture should appeal to those who love fashion and believe in the wonderful healing powers behind crystal healing.”

Zakiya is currently studying homeopathy, holds certification in crystal healing and is a strong proponent of natural, holistic healing. Zproyecto embodies her beliefs in its exquisite product range, which currently includes handpicked, hand-made products along with nature’s gifts to mankind.

Her brand, Zproyecto is UAE’s homegrown healing and natural boutique for discerning clients and is now offering a powerful new range of women’s clothing featuring healing crystals.  Zproyecto Chi Couture is a new line of dresses, abayas, lounge, swim and beachwear, offered both off-the-peg and customized individual pieces with a world-first natural healing element.

The renowned gift store was launched online in 2018, but now offers the chance to view its growing range at a physical store in Dubai’s Al Ghurair Mall.

The abayas come in a range of fabrics including chiffon, silk chiffon, silk satin, organza, crepe, French lace and other specialist state-of-the-art Japanese micro-technology abaya fabric. While each abaya includes hand embroidery of different threads, beading work and high- quality iron heated crystals, a cleansed charged and programmed semi precious stone is subtly incorporated into the Zproyecto logo.

These crystals work to improve different aspects of the wearer’s life, tailored to their needs – like physical and mental power, manifestation, self confidence, good communication, self love, calmness and relaxation, eliminating any sort of ‘dis-ease’ as explained in homeopathy when a person is in any form of discomfort.

“Our clothing works on multiple levels. We appreciate women want to look and feel beautiful, so we have created a stunning range of handmade garments in some of the finest fabrics.  But we have also added an element which will give women that extra edge they might need – whether it’s to give them strength, courage, help them face an ailment or resolve a worry or fear – we think Chi Couture combines the best elements of femininity with a powerful new aspect of fashion which will help them achieve their goals,” says the creative healer.

As well as Chi Couture, Zproyecto brings a basket of unique, rare and exciting offerings to the discerning UAE market, including a handpicked range of healing crystals, home décor, healing jewellery, Hojari Omani frankincense, handmade meditation carpets and mats and handmade candles and incense.

Rima Mrad
Partner, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLC

Rima is a Partner with the Corporate and M&A Practice in the DIFC offices in Dubai. She is an experienced corporate and insurance lawyer who has practiced in the UAE for over fourteen years.

She specialises in advising insurance companies, corporate organisations, financial institutions, energy companies and private equity funds on a wide range of legal issues. These include M&A transactions, due diligence, commercial agreements, commercial related disputes, IT related transactions and various regulatory matters.

She has also advised and assisted international clients in developing their business throughout the GCC, particularly in relation to regulatory and compliance matters. She also provides employment advice to companies in relation to policies, structuring and breach of contract.

Rima was recently recognized by Financial News as the 50 Most Influential Women in the Middle East Finance – 2019. Rima holds a Master’s Degree in Public Law and Sustainable Development Law from Universite Paris Descartes.

Naomi Bell
Owner, NR Beauty Salon

NRBeauty was founded by Naomi Bell, an expert therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.  The NRBeauty Salon was built on the passion for exceptional results and recruiting only the very best, highly qualified therapists, performing treatments that will serve you from head to toe.

“If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that now more than ever, focusing on self-care is essential to our physical and mental well-being. Undoubtedly, there is no better way to treat yourself, than with a relaxing facial, to help achieve that rejuvenated, glowing and youthful looking skin and to leave you feeling relaxed”, says Naomi.

NRBeauty Salon is the ultimate sanctuary for all your skin and body needs, giving you the much rejuvenation that you deserve. NR Beauty specializes in extensive beauty treatments, not to mention that the salon uses the best technology to ensure the deepest and most effective facials and is one of the only salons to offer renowned British Elemis Biotec facial.

Nestled in Dubai Motor City, NRBeauty Salon offers an array of facial treatments all completely tailored to every individual woman’s skin concerns. The salon’s best-seller is the luxurious and high-performance Elemis Biotic Facial which combines a synergistic energy force of unique high-potency actives, skin lift touch and advanced technology.

Dhara Bhatia
Founder, Baesic by DB Label (www.baesicbydb.com)

A new fashion label dreamt and built in Dubai, Baesic by DB is giving the UAE’s bossbabes with luxe fashion staples that will take them from boardrooms to beach clubs without a wardrobe change.

Made locally with love, the initial collection named after the founder’s nieces, Sai & Ki, is curated to meet the uber-high expectations of the region’s fashion-focused femmes. The ten silhouettes included in the label’s first 30-piece collection will be available in neutral colours to complement existing pieces: dusty pinks, soft champagnes, crisp whites and inky blacks. Oversized blazers, breezy palazzo pants, cropped tops and silky dresses are some of the foundation pieces shoppers can expect to find.

Fabrics have been carefully selected to accommodate the sun-drenched and air-conditioned moments fashionistas contend with during the region’s summer months. Lightweight linen and cotton-rich jersey offer comfort and breathability, silks and satins deliver a decadent touch.

Founder and long-term Dubai resident, Dhara Bhatia said that dressing well is a very real form of self-care that shouldn’t be overlooked or seen as indulgent.

“We all have our own definition of self-care. For me, investing in pieces that elevate my existing wardrobe without necessarily breaking the bank is a good and guilt-free form of self-care. And I know that there are a lot of women like me who not only deserve a label that cares for them and understands their needs but also empowers them so they can be at their happiest and most optimal state and be truly present for others,” Dhara said.

Shaan Qasim
Founder, The Saffron Souk (www.saffronsouk.com) 

Shaan Qasim is the founder of The Saffron Souk, a wonderful online community, full of creative entrepreneurs and smart shoppers. Whether you are looking for clothing, jewellery, unique gift options or decor and art for your home, you can be sure to find all of that and so much more.

Being a passionate maker and seller herself with her online store, Life in a Balloon, Shaan is the creative force behind The Saffron Souk and supporting the small business community is something that she holds close to her heart. She started The Saffron Souk to help the creative community in the region really flourish and gain global recognition. In addition, she also gives small businesses the support that they need to grow in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation, allowing a group of like-minded individuals to chase their dreams!

More than just a marketplace, you can connect, interact and shop from a host of independent small businesses who all share a love for creativity and beautiful things. With worldwide shipping available too, The Saffron Souk gives a global platform to all of the individual sellers across the GCC and allows customers from all over the world to discover and shop a truly curated Middle Eastern marketplace.