Hashem Montasser sits down with Sultan Al Darmaki, founder of 1833, an exclusive members’ club redefining community spaces and activations. Sultan shares his journey so far—from his unorthodox approach to fashion, how he felt working in London to the creation of 1833, a space that bridges the worlds of entrepreneurship and creativity.

Don’t miss this inside look at the vision behind 1833 and the moments that shaped Sultan’s career thus far.

Hashem is back this month with the ever-inspiring Rami Al Ali. Together, they explore the evolution of Arab couture, from breaking stereotypes to redefining luxury on a global stage. Listen in as they swap stories about navigating tradition and modernity, and that unforgettable moment Rami realized the world was ready for a new wave of Arab designers.

Hashem sits down with acclaimed Syrian fashion designer Rami Al-Ali. Tune in this week to hear about Rami’s journey from Damascus to the global fashion stage.

Hashem and the ever-stylish Samir Aghera delve into the dynamic world of luxury retail, discussing Hashem’s aesthetic vision for The Lighthouse and Samir’s keen eye for detail at Montroi. Listen in as they share insightful anecdotes ranging from Samir’s first pop-up and that unforgettable moment when a customer was this close to swiping the card! 

Fashion Entrepreneur Faiza Bouguessa on the design process behind Bouguessa‘s annual collections and why she can’t imagine doing anything else!

Watch the full episode in your podcast app before this one, or on YouTube.

Chapters
00:00 The intense fashion production cycle
03:41 Bespoke designs
05:36 Bouguessa’s target customer
06:35 Menswear!
07:38 Faiza’s regrets

Hashem is joined this week by accomplished fashion designer Faiza Bouguessa. The two consider the trials and tribulations of founding a successful business, and the importance of finding an authentic design aesthetic for one’s brand. Influenced by vintage elegance, Faiza discusses how Bouguessa is a display of her own unique, minimalist style, and why she aims to create timeless pieces that resonate with her true self-expression.

Links:

• Fashion designer Yasmine Yeya on being inspired by Egypt’s beauty and landing Jennifer Lopez as a customer
• Bokja ladies Huda Buroudi and Maria Hibri on why storytelling is central to their brand image

Chapters:
00:00 Coming up..
08:25 First career at Emirates
09:19 The fashion bug 
13:11 The business case for modest fashion
23:09 Hiding behind her brand
25:44 Beyoncé
30:54 The fashion production cycle
36:23 Faiza’s regrets
39:32 The future of Bouguessa
43:43 Is Dubai the New York of today?
45:30 10 years of Bouguessa

This week on The Lighthouse Conversations, Hashem is joined by the talented fashion designer and Creative Director of ‘Bouguessa’, Faiza Bouguessa.

Tune in this Thursday to hear about her topsy-turvy journey from willing her eponymous fashion brand into existence to Queen B wearing her designs.

Host Hashem Montasser chats with our latest guest, Avni Doshi, author of the award-winning novel ‘Burnt Sugar’ about the literary community in the UAE. They talk about some of the current programs and the need for institutional support for literary work.

Award-winning author of ‘Burnt Sugar’, Avni Doshi shares her creative writing process as she works on her second book. She also shares the differences between her new book and the writing of her debut novel, ‘Burnt Sugar’.

Hashem catches up with Avni Doshi, author of ‘Burnt Sugar’, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. In her book, Avni explores the themes of identity, culture and motherhood. The heartfelt discussion captures the poignant moments of personal growth that permeate her narrative, now seen through the lens of maternal experience, where vulnerability and understanding intertwine. Their conversion navigates Avni’s love of astrology, her artistic doubts, and the prospect of her book hitting the big screen. 

Links

• Nadia Wassef on narrative structure, trafficking in nostalgia and life after publishing a debut memoir
• Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of the Arabic language and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause

Chapters:

00:00 Coming up

02:21 Character development

08:53 The role of the mother in India

11:26 From child to caretaker

15:42 Moving to India 

18:40 Harper’s Bazaar India comes knocking

20:55 Homesick 

22:18 Girl in White Cotton

26:29 ‘Girl in White Cotton’ becomes ‘Burnt Sugar’

28:46 Booker’s Prize Shortlist

30:08 The brutality of motherhood

34:38 The pressure of success

38:02 Avni’s writing process

44:48 Writing peer groups

49:55 UAE’s literary scene