DESIGNEAST celebrates creativity from the Global South

Established in 2023, DESIGNEAST is a platform advocating for and promoting artists, designers, craftspeople and creatives from the Middle East, India, Africa, South East Asia and South America

  • COVID QUILT

    I Had Other Plans is Nayla Al Mulla's personal diary of her covid experience. Each hand machine stitched square represents a day in her life in what was the most unifying human experience of our time.

  • ATELIER TALASIN

    Reviving the ancient Berber Knot and hand-dying with local henna plants, this unique collective has brought together a female collective of Moroccan weavers with industry experts and textile lovers from around the globe.

  • JAIPUR RUGS COLLABORATION

    DESIGNEAST paired 5 artists from the Middle East with 5 designers from Jaipur to create 5 unique textile wallhangings that showcase a democratic approach to artisanship and creative collaboration, first showcased in Dubai in 2024.

Work with our Founder

Rue Kothari is Founder and Creative Director of DESIGNEAST. As an expert in the creative fields for over 25 years, discover opportunities to collaborate with her personally on editorial, speaking opportunities, strategy or advocacy

FIND OUT MORE