Bazaar Beliefs: Khulood Bin Thani On Staying Motivated, Trusting The Universe and Listening To Your Heart
From channeling the power of the universe to career advice, the Emirati designer shares her words of wisdom with Bazaar
The cultural entrepreneur and researcher curated the first-ever fashion exhibition to take place in the UAE, DeFashStruction. Khulood, also a designer for her label Bint Thani, was awarded the Woman Leader in Art & Fashion Industry Excellence Award during the 14th Middle East Women Leaders Excellence Awards.
Defining career moment?
It was the moment my career started delivering my life purpose, which is empowering the community through enriching cultural knowledge. It inspires me to give back to the creative and cultural sectors.
Favourite adage you live your life by?
‘Trust the universe’. I don’t remember when I first heard it but it’s always been embedded in my subconscious and is reflected in my actions.
The value you most admire in yourself?
My honesty, loyalty and commitment – these three values play very important dynamics in my life in general and are also reflected in my work.
The book that changed your life?
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. It’s a motivational book that highlights the importance of change in work and life, and how change can really elevate our knowledge and experience.
What do you listen to most – your head, heart or gut?
In the past, I would say I listened to my mind only, through a very logical approach. Now I’ve changed and I allow myself to listen to my heart too, because I feel I’m connected to my soul when I allow my heart to speak.
What motivates you?
New challenges always inspire me, because they test my comfort zone and I know that there’s growth opportunity for me in that.
Describe yourself in three words…
Authentic, creative and results-oriented
What does family mean to you?
My star sign is Cancer so family is very important to me and I like to spend time with them – it’s a way to show love and respect.
What are you most passionate about and why?
Yoga and meditation. I feel both of these practices keep me centred and grounded, especially on busy days.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
The aspect of gaining new knowledge through practice is a big joy for my mind and soul. Through the research development phase I find new knowledge that inspires my creative outcome and it’s a cycle – the more I dig, the more I find and get inspired.
What more do you want to learn in your field?
I’ve very interested in material culture related to dress history and the value of it and the role of museums in preserving dress and textile.
I believe in…
The power of the universe
What part of your work are you most proud of?
One of the many projects close to my heart is my fashion-curation project, DeFashStruction and Fashcultivate, both delivered in a 1971 Design Space in Sharjah, which then inspired me to resume my education in University of Arts London in Fashion Curation.
What’s your advice to someone starting out?
Combine the knowledge and the experience that you have, and don’t be shy when you don’t know something when it comes to business – that’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
Follow Khulood Bin Thani at @khuloodthani
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s June 2021 Issue
