The original design by Maryam Yacoub Al Kuwari.
Doha: A furniture design created by Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) interior design student Maryam Yacoub Al Kuwari has been chosen by world-renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, and implemented in her apartment in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Al Kuwari’s design was handpicked from among other proposals submitted by her classmates in response to an invitation to collaborate with Olivier Gelbsman, von Furstenberg’s interior designer, to decorate the New York-based fashion designer’s Doha apartment.
“I worked so hard on developing this project, and now, to see it come to life is certainly a dream come true,” says the Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university interior design Class of 2021 student.
“Not everyone gets the chance to say they’ve custom made a furniture piece for Diane von Furstenberg.
Interim Chair of Interior Design, VCUarts Qatar, Liam Cloquhoun, noted how such projects add value to the overall experience of pursuing a hands-on program such as interior design.
“Experiences of practice such as these are a vital part of our program,” said Colquhoun.
“And such initiatives would not be possible without the support of our industry partners such as Diane von Furstenberg and Msheireb Properties.
“To have already been part of such an initiative that culminated in the custom-design of a bespoke furniture piece for von Furstenberg’s personal apartment – while still a student – really is quite an extraordinary achievement for Al Kuwari, but one that is richly deserved.”
“This project was a great opportunity for our students to experience developing shop drawings to fabricators,” said Assistant Professor, Interior Design, VCUarts Qatar Dr. Haithem A. El-Hammali.
“They provide a necessary detailed explanation about fabrication and installation to realize their design intent. This major achievement by Maryam and all of our students is a perfect chance to remind them how talented, hard-working, and deserving they are.”
Earlier this week, von Furstenburg herself thanked the students of VCUarts Qatar on her Instagram account, and posted a photo of the winning headboard design.
The project began around the beginning of February 2020, with Al Kuwari and her classmates being provided a brief to custom design a piece of furniture – either a sofa or a headboard – for von Furstenberg’s Doha apartment.
Al Kuwari says that right from the outset of the project, she knew the years of training and mentoring she’d received during her undergraduate studies would stand her in good stead.
“We had the opportunity to visit the apartment along with Olivier Gelbsman to envision the space,” says Al Kuwari.
“The first thing that struck me when I entered the bedroom, were the dimensions. It wasn’t spacious, and I immediately knew my design would have to be creative – and clever. I would have to design a multi-functional headboard that would allow me to minimize the need for additional furniture within the room.
“This is where the research skills I learned in class came to the fore. I started with background research on von Furstenberg, to further understand her preferences.”
To make the design tasteful yet multi-functional, AlKuwari chose a color scheme comprising of matte black and neutral tones, and further complemented the headboard with three night-shelves on one side, for von Furstenberg’s personal use, as well as book shelves on the other.
As she savors the moment, Al Kuwari says she owes her success to numerous people who have supported her through her formative years – especially her father, Yacoub Al Kuwari.
“Likewise, this is not something I could have even dreamed of, without the guidance of my VCUarts Qatar professors, Liam Colquhoun and Haithem ElHammali, who have been extremely patient, supportive and helpful. I’m very grateful for what they gave us, and will continue to give us.
“I am also appreciative of H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for giving us future designers the opportunity to participate and be a part of the Culture Pass Club complex.”
