RACHA ELABBAS DESIGN :: BEYOND THE SQUARE KUFIK
Her splendid artwork is always the Cherry on top for any space... A Melange of Arabic Kufic typography in bright colour, making it so modern and slick yet warm and touching in meaning.
Elabbas's vast experiences spins from being a graphic designer who relocated to Paris to pursue a her fashion studies at Parsons Paris where she discovered a passion for textiles and surface treatment. Spending a year in Jakarta took Racha back to the basics of the craft and inspired a series of illustrated interpretations leading to two collections of bold and rhythmic graphic scarves under the label Racha Elabbas. Her Racha Elabbas Designs brand though is yet another extension to the multi talented Designer's skills.
I was lucky to collaborate with Racha on some key projects in Dubai (here), (here) & Abu Dhabi (here) where she worked her magic to deliver truly unique art pieces that speak to the homes and their owners.
Please tell us about your business and what inspired you to start your business adventure?
Well, I have always been interested in Arabic typography and especially the designing of Square Kufic forms; they are like puzzles to me that I find therapeutic to solve.
The whole thinking behind Racha Elabbas Design is in the hope to create a renewed and contemporary appeal to the Arabic language starting with Quranic 'ayat' or 'sura' as well as quotes from the Arab vernacular allowing religious and traditional notions to continue to be part of our lives rather than slowly diminishing.
So far the reaction to our work has been very encouraging and we are super excited to evolve our process and take our ideas all the way.
Where can we find your products?
You can order them directly by contacting me and the best place to get a look is Instagram.
ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI
What inspire you in/about Dubai?
The contrast of the traditional roots of the city with its progressive energy.
Favourite thing to do in City?
Discover inspirations in food, fashion and design.
Do you have a design secret to share with us?
Something that I have learned at Graphic Design school and has always worked; if you can't fix it, exaggerate it.
What's your favorite way to spend the weekend?
Our weekends are usually family and food-centric! We try to disconnect and spend quality time with our kids; creating experiences for them to grow their interests. We also hunt for great places to eat!
A Dubai store you could spend hours browsing?
There isn't one store, but rather a type of store. You can lose me for days in a hardware store... a a fabric or crafts shop... A place where I can get inspired by raw materials... And the art and design section of a bookstore for sure.
A LITTLE EXTRA...
Things you can't live without?
Cutter, cutting mat, double-sided tape and my baking non-recipes. Tools to make something out of nothing.
As an entrepreneur please share some tips that help you set up?
Stand out with honesty, consistency and quality. I believe that a genuinely inspired, designed and produced product is what wins in the end.
Do you read any blog? If so which ones are your favorite?
Yes! Harf Noon Design Studio's blog ofcourse! The Emaar Loft Project! I loved the details of the new space, and especially the best yet styling of our Square Kufi artworks.
Do you have a life motto?
Go the extra mile; the difference between great and spectacular.
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