Rendering the UAE: The sybarite

The UAE is a very unique place,” says luxury handbag designer Rida Zafar. This may not be a particularly unusual statement, but it comes from a woman who was born in Dubai, and lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, New York before moving back to the UAE.
Even after having lived in several countries, Zafar says she hasn’t found a place like Dubai. “The first thing one notices is the diversity of the city. The UAE has the ability to draw people from all over the world,” she says.
While the diversity and its mixed-bag culture are considered the hallmark of the city — Dubai is also synonymous with luxury and is considered the hotspot for most sensualists. Adding to the glitz and glamour are Zafar’s exotic creations. “In my experience, the people in the UAE appreciate luxury and quality, leading me to design a bag with jewels,” she says.
Crafted from Gold leather, accented with Swarovski crystals and gilded frames, these handbags are created with elegance in mind. Her handbags are not just bags — they are a fashion statement, an expression of who you are and a perfect way to channelise your inner diva.
Extending the Rida Zafar brand, the designer has created an exclusive piece to commemorate this momentous occasion. “The structure of the piece was taken from the first piece I ever designed in the UAE. It was originally created in crocodile skin. It is a very high- quality piece,” she says.
As an artist what strikes Zafar the most about this land is the vivid golden hue that the city takes on because of the vast desert and brilliance of the unobstructed sun. “This is why I chose gold for the colour of the bag, it makes me think of the glowing sunshine we experience everyday. Something else to acknowledge are the incredible man-made structures that are reflected in my pieces,” says the designer.
For Zafar, Dubai is easy to call home because of the myriad inspirations the city offers on a daily basis. “A young nation, the UAE is coming into its own and pulsating with a vibe that is fuelled by inspiration and ambition. What more stimulation does an artist need?” asks the designer.