Whilst there is still a massive export value placed on British design, the Western world is not necessarily dominating the global retail markets as it used to. Emerging markets such as the BRIC’s – Brazil, Russia, India and China– where the demand for, and stronger trade with, the global brand giants of the West is generating a greater confidence and potentially shaping the brand and design direction for a new global brand perspective. But we believe that there is now another force to watch with the Middle East fast becoming the true new hub of creative experimentation.
Middle Eastern investors and brand owners are also turning towards Western brand builders for inspiration and partnership. But, creativity isn’t all imported here. Whilst we in the West may think we have fronted the progress of the creative world as we currently know it, this confidence may soon be shaken. The Middle East, with it’s burgeoning finances and ambition to invest in creative development, may well take the lead. And there are a rapidly growing number of Middle Eastern design gurus making their global mark by fusing elements of their heritage and cultural civilisation with a no holds barred contemporary edginess.
We knew Lebanese designer Rana Salam’s work well before we knew her. Based in London her beautiful and inspiring work embodies the vibrancy and confidence of Middle Eastern popular art and culture and Rana is celebrated for her design work with high fashion, restaurants, interiors, magazines, retail and exhibitions.
Now, for all fans of Rana’s designs, her graphics can be found on a new and exclusive Butterfly notebook designed for boutique store S*uce in Dubai. The notebook is one in a set of three limited edition illustrated notebooks for S*uce’s ‘Sp*rkle for a Good Cause’ campaign to support breast cancer awareness in the UAE. Of course, they are only available at S*uce outlets in UAE and so if you are not planning a trip any time soon then maybe kick back in London with a coffee at another of our Rana designed favourites winning rave reviews in all the style bibles – Le Comptoir Libanais.