Personal Effects: Artist Najd AlTaher Shares Her Likes, Loves And Life Lessons
The wonderfully creative (and curated) life of multidisciplinary artist and collector of all things gold and glittery
The Kuwaiti visual artist’s social media feed, shared under the account @pandorajay, offers up sartorial stimulation whether its a snap of her on holiday or showing what’s peeking out from her Hermès bag.
My signature style is a fluid mix of feminine and masculine energy. Functional, bold and artfully curated. My ever-changing glasses and layered rings are my defining trademarks.
If I wasn’t a multidisciplinary artist, I would be in the music industry as a producer, singer or songwriter. It’s always felt like my parallel path. I am passionate about attending concerts. Being present with that energy and shared frequency you find in music venues is magic.
The most thoughtful present I have ever received is a poem that was written for me by a poet and a songwriter. I wasn’t expecting it and was moved by how someone could capture me in that way.
My love language is acts of service and words of affirmation. I value effort and intentional words that feel honest and warm. My emotional intelligence and sensitivity is my secret super-power.
The place I find peace is my home, a serene beach, or anywhere I’m with someone I love. Peace for me is being present, surrounded by love, with water nearby.
Happiness is seeing an idea come to life through collaboration. There’s nothing more fulfilling than witnessing people grow, connect and create something meaningful together.
My go-to artists are Sade, Björk, Lana Del Rey, Solange, Tame Impala and Bon Iver. The moment I fell in love with the art scene was when I attended Madonna’s Confessions Tour in Paris, in 2006. I realised I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
My top health tip is to drink plenty of water, get good sleep, and never skip sunscreen. Hydration, rest, and protection are the real essentials. Something that recently changed my life was doing EMDR therapy. It rewires how the mind holds on to pain and helped unlock a calmer, more present version of myself. I also swim laps daily and run outdoors whenever I can.
On a daily basis I tend to eat a lot of greens, some protein, and always soup. I think I have soup every single day. I always fall down an Instagram rabbit hole when I find cooking videos. There’s something hypnotic about watching a perfect dish come together!
My beauty must-haves are Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant and resist cleanser, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Crème de la Mer and cold plunges. Nothing wakes up my skin like a cold dip.
My favourite hotels in the world are Four Seasons’ properties. They are consistently exceptional, and I value that kind of reliability. I find inspiration everywhere when I travel. New places, art exhibitions, concerts, restaurants and conversations always spark something in me. When I travel, I always bring home a beautifully designed object that reminds me of the destination.
The last movie that made an impact on me was Angelina Jolie’s Maria which stayed with me. The silence, the solitude, and the quiet weight of sacrifice held a haunting kind of beauty. It was beautifully executed from the styling to the direction, the music and the muted palette.
My last major purchase was gold bars. I’ve always viewed gold as more than just a luxury. It’s a form of security and timeless value. For me, investing in gold bars feels like investing in stability. Something that will always hold its worth no matter the trends around us. I also collect rings and match boxes too. An artist I have on my walls is Ghadah AlKandari. I wish I could collect James Turrell.
A person that influenced me was my brother Yousef. He still does every day. He’s my creative compass. He challenges me, pushes me out of my comfort zones, and reminds me of the bigger picture when I get caught in details. What’s special about him is his ability to dream fearlessly while grounding those dreams into reality.
You might not think this of me, but I’m a fixer. I love taking things apart, figuring out their problems, and putting them back together. I am surprisingly handy.
My most precious possession is my late aunt’s Rolex Lady Datejust in yellow gold. It has a fluted bezel, a classic Jubilee bracelet and diamond hour markers. She got it in the ’80s. Beyond its craftsmanship and elegance, it carries her spirit and memories making it priceless to me.
My motto? What goes around comes around.
Images: Supplied
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia October 2025 Issue.