Najla El Zein’s New Window Installation at Hermès Dubai

The Lebanese designer explores the concept of renewal and new beginnings under the theme of Nature at Gallop

This year, in keeping with its annual tradition, Hermès has chosen to adorn the windows of its stores around the world with artist commissions that embody renewal, responding to the theme of Nature at Gallop. 

Najla El Zein, the Lebanese designer and graduate of the Ecole Camondo in Paris, is the force behind the display for Hermès’ flagship outlet at The Dubai Mall. Here El Zein, who has exhibited at museums and galleries around the world including The V&A, Carpenters Workshop Gallery and The Boghossian Foundation, has created a coral reef, with colourful coral islands seemingly emerging from the sea bed.

As her first collaboration with the French luxury retailer, El Zein comments that the project was “fun and experimental”.

“The theme was so open that it allowed me to approach it as though I was in a creative laboratory” she says. Using foam, clay, sand and reflective paper, the artist has created a moving sand dune landscape, out of which corals and Hermès products appear, which she hopes will symbolise birth and new beginnings.

Hidden Treasures (2017) by Najla El Zein is now on display at the Hermès store at The Dubai Mall. Hermes.com