Meet the Women Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Design Future at Downtown Design Riyadh

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Downtown Design Riyadh has officially arrived, and with it comes a fresh wave of talent that’s impossible to ignore. This inaugural design fair marks a major milestone for Saudi Arabia, providing a homegrown stage for contemporary and original design. But the real showstopper? A rising generation of Saudi women who are boldly shaping the creative identity of a nation in transformation.

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These five trailblazing designers aren’t just creating beautiful pieces. They’re telling stories of heritage, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. Let’s dive into the visionary world of the women making Saudi design history.

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Noura Suleiman: Honoring Najdi Roots with Modern Flair

Noura Suleiman of NWII.III Interiors grew up surrounded by sketches, swatches, and the hum of creativity. With architects and designers frequenting her family home, it’s no wonder she now leads one of Saudi’s most respected design studios.

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At Downtown Design Riyadh, Suleiman is debuting Mezlaj, a vibrant furniture collection inspired by traditional Najdi motifs. Think sculptural majlis sofas, intricate side tables, and lamps that glow with both modernity and meaning. Her work reflects Saudi culture and reclaims it with confidence.

“Each piece is a celebration of who we are and where we come from,” says Suleiman.

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Amani Al Ibrahim: Designing from the Heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains

Amani Al Ibrahim took her passion for design from Dubai to Paris before returning home to create something deeply personal. Partnering with Kristina Zanic Consultants, she has crafted the BMW VIP Lounge at the fair, using Riyadh’s Tuwaiq Mountains as her muse.

For Al Ibrahim, the rugged beauty of the mountains is more than aesthetic. It is symbolic. The curves, colors, and essence of the landscape translate into a serene space that honors strength, resilience, and cultural identity.

“It felt only right to design something that’s authentically Saudi,” she shares.

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Budoor Althunayan: Desert-Inspired Design That Moves

When furniture runs in your blood, you don’t just make it, you live it. Budoor Althunayan of Dome Furniture & Blends Home Accessories brings a family legacy of design to life through her latest creation, the Sands Flow benches.

Inspired by the desert’s undulating dunes, these mustard-velvet masterpieces are sculptural, modular, and endlessly inviting. Commissioned for the fair, Althunayan’s pieces are more than furniture. They are living art rooted in the spirit of Saudi’s natural world.

“It’s about movement, comfort, and the elegance of our environment,” she says.

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Aseel Alshuail & Raghad Alaydi: Redefining the Sofa with Adeem

Innovation meets artistry in the collaborative project Adeem, founded by Aseel Alshuail and Raghad Alaydi. What started at Ithra’s Tanween Challenge quickly grew into a full-fledged design revolution. Their modular seating system isn’t just functional. It is a conversation starter.

Gone are the days of sofas tucked quietly into corners. Adeem transforms every angle into a statement, encouraging interaction, movement, and connection. At Downtown Design Riyadh, the duo’s installation is part of a curated showcase highlighting Saudi Arabia’s boldest creative voices.

“We wanted to make the back of the sofa the star,” they explain.

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Designing the Future, Authentically Saudi

Downtown Design Riyadh isn’t just a milestone. It is a movement. And these women are leading the charge, one design at a time. With deep cultural roots, global perspective, and fearless innovation, they are shaping a design narrative that is proudly, powerfully Saudi.

As the Kingdom’s creative scene continues to evolve, one thing is clear. This is just the beginning.

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