Alia Al Shamsi On Female Empowerment, Learning From Failure, and Why Life Is The Greatest Teacher Of All
Sharing her infectious outlook on life, the poet and artist encouraging us to dream, to persevere, and to question prescribed perspectives…
“If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.”
So said leadership speaker, J. Loren Norris, whose simple yet powerful quote encapsulates the beauty of mentorship at its most human. The concept of a mentor is a wonderful one; to lean on a trusted adviser for guidance, support and wisdom. And one could argue that it is our responsibility to pass on this advice to the younger generation in order to see them, as well as the nation they’re in, thrive. Vacheron Constantin’s One of Not Many Mentorship Programme, then, is a humbling example of what happens when a luxury maison gives back, thinking outside its traditional remit and into something truly wide-reaching and meaningful.
Launched six months ago, the house brought together six Emirati women of phenomenal, multi-faceted skills – Alia Al Shamsi, Hala Al Gergawi, Latifa Al Gurg, Salama Al Shamsi, Noora Shawqi and Mouza Aldhaheri – for a scheme that would take six young female Emirati students from Zayed University under their wing, culminating in a six-month internship at either Vacheron Constantin or another Richemont maison.
The spirit of entrepreneurship runs deep in the UAE, as does talent and tenacity. Here, Bazaar celebrate bringing that all together for a bright, beautiful future as Alia Al Shamsi encourages us all to dream, to persevere, and to question prescribed perspectives.
Do you have a fond memory of Vacheron Constantin that pre-dates the mentorship programme?
It’s serendipity and so magical how some of the most unexpected connections in life simply happen. Two distinct past histories in two different continents came together in one narrative; a story of how a Great Great Aunt in Austria received a gift from her husband, a pocket watch by Vacheron (before Constantin joined) and that it would one day travel all the way to the UAE in the palm of her Great Great Niece who, in turn, would wear Vacheron Constantin’s 100-year anniversary Historiques American for a Harper’s Bazaar cover, and was One of Not Many mentors.
Why was it important to you to become a mentor in this scheme?
In the past, I was a university faculty member who taught, and I will fundamentally always be someone who believes in investing in our future generation, and that they are the greatest investment any nation could make. I have always been blessed to have people supporting me throughout my career, be they mentors or CEOs or managers. They believed in me and had the simple request to pay it forward. This mentorship is to continue my passion to teach, to give everything I have experienced, my knowledge, my network and my advice.
What does being a mentor mean to you?
I have had many mentors who perhaps didn’t go by the name ‘mentors’, and life itself and the experience it gives you [makes it] your true mentor.
Can you share with us how your mentor shaped and supported you throughout your career?
Life has been my greatest teacher, mentor and lesson. It has taught me to persevere, to stand up after every fall, and that it will only help me grow stronger. It also taught me to have faith in what is about to come, as it will always most definitely be greater than what you could ever imagine.
So: patience, faith, and do things with passion.
What was the most valuable lesson your mentee has taught you through this process?
The courage she has to step into the art world and vulnerability, which is the strongest thing anyone can possess. Sharing art, whether written poems or abstract art, is an act of great intimacy. It’s a reflection of one’s own soul. It is courage that allows you to put yourself out there for the world to critique and it is a great privilege to have her share these [lessons] with me.
How do you hope the mentorship programme will make a difference?
I believe having a mentor from this country, sharing similar values and histories makes the programme even more relevant. We can connect and find common ground with our stories, struggles and victories. It will help others see that there is absolutely no difference between her and me but the passion and strength of will to make her dream happen.
Sadly, there are still many negative narratives and stereotypes to describe ambitious and assertive women. How do we overcome this?
By not paying heed to these narratives. I refuse to believe in being a victim of my circumstances. I am a result of the challenges and the wars, I wear my scars with pride. Life will always challenge you as a woman or a man or a child. If you want to make a change you need to take up those challenges whoever you are whatever your gender is and ensure you contribute to the ending of these narratives and stereotypes.
What is your definition of female empowerment?
Not needing to define it by a gender. The day it stops existing and all that is discussed is empowerment as a genderless word.
What drives you?
Passion, curiosity and knowledge.
You talk about not having fear to fail, can you tell us about a time you failed and what it taught you?
That I was able to rebuild my new identity and that I know I have the power to rise after every fall. My poetry book, The Oceans Sees Through My Soul was exactly about that; going through failure, heartache, identity loss and the journey of redefining who I am today.
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You’ve had a multifaceted career, what did you want to be growing up?
I think everything that I have managed to achieve! An artist, an illustrator, a photographer and an author. Adding to that I’ve also achieved two other young adult dreams which is to teach as a faculty member and where I am today, working in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Do you think genius is born or made?
Genius needs to be nurtured and requires commitment and perseverance as well as hard work. If not, genius would exist without any achievements to that genius, and would that mount to reaching full potential? Equally, I have seen achievement, perseverance and commitment from someone who has a passion and a dream. So my question is: who is the genius? That who has the IQ, or the person who has achieved with or without the IQ of a genius?
Alia wears: Historiques American 1921 Watch in white gold, Dhs115,000, Vacheron Constantin. Abaya, Dhs3,045, Sekka38. Scarf, Dhs1,890, Baylandi. Shayla, Jewellery and Gloves, Alia’s own
Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Art Director: Oscar Yáñez. Fashion Director: Anna Castan. Photography: Greg Adamski. Make- up: Charlotte Tilbury. Manicure: Sisters Beauty Lounge. Styling Assistants: Shahira Hossameldin and Anusha Hattalmakki. Producer: Elle Hutchinson. Studio Manager: Johana Dana
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2021 issue
