“My grandparents had matching Cartier watches that they bought for their anniversary, and so I have a warm sense of nostalgia when I think of the brand,” explains Nourie Flayhan. “To me there is an undeniable sense of timelessness in their designs, that feels as right for me today as it for my grandparents back then.”
As a member of the Cartier Pasha Tribe, the renowned Lebanese illustrator was speaking as the host and special guest at a private dinner held in Dubai, in partnership with Esquire Middle East. The intimate dinner brought together a hand-picked selection of some of the brightest, young talents in the city, under the banner of creativity.
Hosted in the elegant Jossa by Alserkal gallery, the dinner was held within the minimalist, white-washed walls of the space that was adorned with Flayhan’s colourful illustrations and artworks, as well as a chic display of the Pasha de Cartier timepiece collection.
Considered to be one of the most exciting contemporary artists in the Arab world, having growing up in Kuwait, studying in the UK and living in Lebanon, Flayhan’s work and inspiration has really bloomed since embracing and becoming a pivotal part of Dubai’s creative scene.
“When I first moved to Dubai, I was at the end of a burn-out phase. I had taken a few months off creating, and wasn’t sure how I’d get back. Then I started attending art events in the city, I became a Cartier Pasha tribe member, and suddenly I was interacting with people from across the world that either lived here or were visiting, and I found it incredibly motivating,” said Nourie Flayhan. “I was inspired by each person’s story, and felt I was part of a community, because everyone was from somewhere else, too. Everyone was here to grow.”
