Harrods Hive Dubai

What makes something truly valuable? On 8th May, the Harrods Hive returned to Dubai with a diverse panel of industry leaders to share their thoughts on how brands, creators and businesses can define value. 

Set along Dubai Creek, the event was hosted at Al Shindagha Museum. This landmark cultural site blends heritage architecture with modern design, celebrating immersive storytelling and showcasing a commitment to Emirati traditions. This balance of history and innovation cemented the venue as the perfect setting to reflect on the evolving luxury landscape. 

Throughout the day, guests explored a series of interactive zones designed to spark dialogue, creativity and connection. The various creative stations included a Chai & Chat counter, offering a curated tea selection, the Hive Hub for sharing ideas and the comfortable Green House seating area. Each was designed to faciliatate discussion beyond the panels and spark fresh perspectives, collaborations, and relationships.

An Interactive Digital Wall brought the event to life in real time, streaming soundbites from the panels and featuring guest contributions and Harrods-curated conversation starters to encourage cross-zone connection. 

Global retail executive Rania El Khatib returned to moderate a powerful line-up of panels: 

Value in the Hands of the Makers
With Catherine Broome (client partner at Pedersen & Partners, focusing on executive search and luxury innovation), Nez Gebreel (brand and business strategist), and Pauline Coquet (senior manager, Bain & Company), the panel explored value as rooted in storytelling, purpose and cultural authenticity. 

Sustainability: The New Standard of Value

Alia Khafajy (founder & CEO, OKTA), Noora Shawqi (founder, Noora Shawqi Jewellery), and Ani Han (founder and creative director, Enso Design Lab) shared their insights on how sustainability is driving innovation and growth in the luxury world. Offering inspiration to emerging talent, they explained how sustainability looks in practice and how to lead in the face of its increasing demand. 

Redefining Value in Luxury
The final discussion was with Miral Youssef, MEA Group President at Kering Group. Drawing on her extensive experience with Kering, Balenciaga, Chalhoub Group and Ralph Lauren, she shared her expert insight into the industry and explored how value will be measured as we enter a new era of luxury. 

At its heart, the Harrods Hive is about building connection between people, ideas and industries. Stay tuned to see where our global networking hub lands next. 

This May, the Harrods Hive arrived at Concrete, Alserkal Avenue in Dubai to celebrate the launch of a new global mentorship programme with an exciting event themed around the future of experience.

The day began with an intimate afternoon tea. The Lana worked with our executive pastry chef to curate a selection of British canapés for the guests, which were served alongside popcorn and a range of delicious mocktails. This was the perfect environment for inviting guests to mingle, network and start meaningful conversations.

Global retail executive Rania Khatib was chosen to moderate the day’s panel talks and discussions. Rania has over 20 years of experience in retail and hosts a successful podcast interviewing industry change makers on rising trends and topics.

The first panel, Curating Experiences in the Digital Age, focused on how technology has transformed the way we experience luxury. Special guests Giuseppe Moscatello, art producer, curator and co-founder of The Foundry, Maggie Abdelbaset, head of events and planning at Dubai Tourism, and Darya Prodaevich, managing director at Theatre of Digital Art, shared their insights.

The second discussion, The Gold Standard: Creating a Community through Shared Experiences in Hospitality, discussed strengthening our sense of community in the food and beverage industry. Ahmed Almuhassin, founder of Villa Aumédan, renowned chef and founder of Kinoya Neha Mishra, and Hanan Eissa, vice president of marketing and public relations for Atlantis Dubai, were panellists for this discussion.

The final panel talk, Cityscapes: Creating the Experiences of Tomorrow, looked to the future of architecture. Brendan McGetrick, creative director of Museum of the Future, Achraf Mzily, co-founder of BONE Studio and Ahmed Bukhash, chief architect and founder of Archidentity lead the conversation.

The Harrods Hive made its phenomenal debut in the UAE. The two-day event, hosted at Jossa by Alserkal, included a day of insightful panel discussions from industry leaders, as well as an exclusive mocktail evening and dinner party.

The event opened with close friends of the Harrods Hive coming together for a glamorous evening of mocktails and exceptional food. It was all hosted at Alserkal’s Bauhaus-inspired warehouse space, designed by renowned architect Mario Jossa.

The following day played host to three panel events that took a deep dive into the world of Emirati fashion. 

At the Tides of Tradition panel, Rawdha Al Thani, founder of contemporary fashion brand illi, UAE-based eveningwear designer Hamda Al Fahim and award-winning jewellery designer Salama Khalfan, discussed the world of Middle Eastern fashion through the lens of its culture and history. 

The All That Glitters panel was a celebration of traditional craftsmanship. Benedetta Ghione, executive director of Art Dubai and Hind Al Mehairbi, director of Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts, were joined by womenswear and childrenswear designer Shatha Essa and handbag designer Nathalie Trad for a discussion on artisanal techniques. 

The Future is Bright panel brought the two-day event to a close. Roshni Khemlani Mehta, co-founder of fashion brands Izaak Azanei and Little IA, Dr Reem Tariq el Mutwalli, founder and CEO of fashion archive The Zay Initiative and Diaa Allam of Na7t Designs looked to the future with their discussion about the importance of design and fashion working collaboratively to shape the industry.