What does the ‘Made in the Middle East’ label stand for circa 2018?

The region’s creative vocabulary is at the crossroads of convention and experimentation. Two of the Middle East’s most promising design talents Fatima Al Zaabi and Layth Mahdi are known for exploring the application of highly progressive manufacturing to traditional materials, creating works that extol the best values of contemporary design and find global relevance.

At Downtown Design, they talked about their paths to finding their creative voice and the future of the Middle Eastern design scene.

The designers spoke to Rebecca Anne Proctor, Editor-in-Chief, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors and Harper’s Bazaar Art.