24 Hours With Artist And Jewellery Designer Ani Han

Blending intuition with precision, tradition with modernity, Dubai-based Ani Han spends her days designing accessories that transcend time. For her, every detail is a story, every creation a conversation, and every piece becomes art

I usually wake up around 6:45–7:00 AM. The air is crisp, and the silence feels like a gift, so I take a moment to just absorb it before the day begins. Some mornings, I rise right away, while other times I linger a bit longer, letting slowness settle in. I like to stay in tune with myself, rather than rush into the day. The first thing I do when I wake up is open the window, letting fresh air weave into the space. Mornings are a time for me to cleanse – physically, emotionally, energetically. Some mornings, I take a barefoot walk with a matcha latte, other times, I’ll dip into a cold pool. Or, if I’m feeling lazy, I just sit in the sun for 40 minutes.

By 8:00 AM, I hop into the shower, stocked with Aesop. Afterwards I hydrate my skin with Les Sultans de Sabah Amber Mask Sandalwood Shea Butter. Breakfast is at 8:45–9:00 AM. I keep it simple but rich and balanced – either oatmeal with parmesan or an omelette with truffle.

By 9:30 AM, I start getting dressed. I like to keep things natural: minimal make-up, a little La Mer Renewal Oil, Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (a must) a tint on my lips and Sensai 38°C mascara. My curls? They’ve got a personality all their own, so I let them do their thing. Choosing accessories is all about intuition – they set the energy for the day. Self-care is a non-negotiable part of my routine, so I indulge in treatments at the Bvlgari Spa a few times

a month. My manicures and pedicures are a ritual I swear by at Privé7 Dubai. Growing up, my style icons were Martin Margiela, Phoebe Philo, and Matthieu Blazy. Their style isn’t just about clothing – it’s thought, architecture, and emotion. It’s about the quiet power of simplicity. Diana Vreeland’s rule: “Never be boring”? I live by that. Hermès, Loro Piana, The Row, Issey Miyake – these pieces don’t chase trends; they create an atmosphere.

At 10:00 AM sharp, the workday begins. I like to arrive ready. I’m all about focus. I prefer silence, but when I need a boost, I’ll listen to Max Richter or Einaudi. If I need to pump up the rhythm, I go for Jay-Z or Beyoncé. I also love organic electronic music and tribal beats – something like Lemurian or Mose. It’s music that helps me get into a flow without overwhelming the space. I like to divide up my schedule. Mornings are for creation – those quiet hours when ideas flow freely and the mind is clear. Midday is for conversations – calls, discussions, movement. Lunch isn’t just about food – it’s my reset, a moment to shift gears and refresh my perspective. Evenings are for reflection and looking back on the day. I travel as needed, when it really makes sense – usually Paris, Milan, or Asia. And throughout all of this, I snack on nuts and dark chocolate while I work.

Lunch, or as I like to call it, reset time, is 2:00 PM. I slow down, and I go for a well-balanced sushi set, a fresh seafood soup. Sometimes, I’ll indulge in fresh bread with good cheese and olive oil. It’s the kind of meal I share with friends, collaborators – those who challenge and inspire me. For lunch, I gravitate toward places that offer more than just a menu. Nobu, Zuma, Roka – I love food that’s clean and unprocessed. My husband always jokes that I’m the only one who reads every ingredient label. Maybe he’s right. But I also have my weaknesses, especially when it comes to baked goods. It’s an Armenian thing.

Around 7:00 PM, I try to wind down – though that’s not always the case. I might take a walk, or I’ll play the hang drum. Mostly, I like to wash away the tension and thoughts of the day by taking long, soothing showers. Evenings are about returning to myself – whether it’s an hour of yoga, a slow walk, or just feeling the ground beneath my feet. I’m drawn to films that make you pause, that linger in your mind long after the screen fades to black. The Great Beauty and La Dolce Vita are pure atmosphere. But sometimes, you just need to laugh. A great comedy, something light, something that reminds you not to take life too seriously

I usually go to bed at 11:00 PM. But if the night is filled with ideas, I let myself stay in the flow a little longer. I need seven to eight hours of sleep to feel my best, but for me, it’s about quality, not just quantity. Before I sleep, I take a moment to reflect – sometimes through writing, sometimes in silence. I tell myself: “Thank you, today. It was special.” Even in its imperfections, it had meaning. I rarely fall asleep instantly – this is when the best ideas come. My mind knows it’s time to settle down and lets everything flow through, clear and free.

Ani’s Picks

From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia March 2025 issue.