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Life & StyleArt enthusiast Najeh Zimmermann brings emerging designers

to the forefront at her quaint Jumeirah villa

Words by Nicola Raf

An avid art collector, Najeh wears a blazer by Gucci, a T-shirt by DKNY, jeans by Stella McCartney,

trainers by Jil Sander, a bracelet by Balenciaga and her favourite ring by Idonthaveasister

196Najeh wears top and trousers by Etro

timeless charm, albeit now with a contemporary touch in the form of a bevy of mixed media pieces.Originally from Pakistan, Najeh considers herself a nomad, having lived in England, Germany, and the United States, before relocating to Dubai. The mother-of-three girls — aged 11, 13 and 15 — has spent most of her career in art and design in some capacity, whether as an art history lecturer at university or as a consultant for Art Dubai, before launching her own company. “I met my partner [French art consultant, Laure Parise] and we decided we wanted to work together and do something different. We finally took that plunge, left everything we were doing and experimented with Antidote,” she says. The concept takes art away from a gallery and museum, showcasing it in a manner where people aren’t overwhelmed or feel distanced. “Galleries can be a bit intimidating for people, which is why we created Antidote,” Najeh reveals. The online space functions between Paris — where her partner resides — and Dubai, focusing on budding designers and artists from across the globe, displaying their pieces at unconventional places including commercial spaces, residences, yachts, tents, and just about anywhere exciting the duo could showcase. “We’ve been doing this for three years and we’re going online with our next phase by launching our e-commerce platform. This year is a pivotal year. We do a lot for our artists and designers, whether it’s funds, awards, or residencies,” says Najeh.Her home is a showcase for up-and-coming designers too, with artists sending across pieces every now and then. Najeh does warn us that the space is incomplete — she only moved in five weeks ago — but the living room is already set up to entertain guests. Stealing the limelight is an Alexander McQueen rug from The Rug Company that brings a solid grey IKEA couch to life. The rosewood and mild-steel coffee table from Coalesce Design Studio in Pakistan holds four hand-crafted ceramic pieces from the Bahraini pavilion at Design Days — an indication of Najeh’s design-led style, fusing looks to create harmony. “I always say I’m drawn to design,” says Najeh. She points to a lightbox piece — a form she loves — titled Dollhouse, that has the name Malala written in it. The frill-adorned design brightens up a corner, adding an element of intrigue. The piece was created about two-to-three years after Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai was shot. “There were all these theories and the artist Amir Habib, being Pakistani, was a bit tired of hearing the name and wanted people to move on. His work is quite political, but in a way, it also pays homage to her.” A far corner of the room reveals a selection of paintings, photographs and ballpoint sketches

An art collector’s home can be identical to a gallery, with sculptures, paintings and miniature-framed pieces adorning every bare wall, corner, and

surface. Najeh Zimmermann’s three-bedroom house, tucked away in a backstreet of serene Al Manara, is testament to this. Nestled within a villa community boasting sand-hued exteriors, the architecture harks back to traditional Arabic homes with interiors comprising classic tiles and a certain layout style untypical to a newly constructed house. The fact that these slightly dated features lured Najeh in wasn’t a surprise at all for the art and design graduate who moved to Dubai ten years ago. “I’ve always loved Jumeirah villas because of their character and appeal. I went from hotel suite-styled homes to one with charm,” says Najeh, co-founder of Antidote — an online art and design platform. Having previously lived near Dubai Festival City, followed by the Palm Jumeirah, Najeh was on the lookout for something central. The “vintage villa” — as she refers to it — holds within its walls

This page (clockwise from top left): The Meeting on Friday by Egyptian artist Mohamed Rabie; The Dream which Slept Forever, a wooden chair and cement-casted plane, by Idrees Hanif; Najeh decorates her home with artistic books and photographs of her family; The living room includes a table by Amir Habib, titled Duboo, which is made from wood, glass and LED lights, a three-legged stool by French artist Stéphanie Marin, and a design installation (hanging on the right wall), titled Shifting Dunes, by Andre Meyerhans

Galleries can be intimidating for people, which is why we created Antidote.

Najeh Zimmermann

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This page (clockwise from top left): Girgit Mini Lamp by Tahir Mahmood sits on a sidetable below the painting Grandpa Kleurplaat by Yemeni-American artist Ibrahim Quraishi; Acrylic on paper portraits, titled Portrait #1 and Portrait #2, by Mohamed Rabie; Jor Juk table by Coalesce Design Studio in Pakistan sits on top of an Alexander McQueen rug by The Rug Company

I prefer design over brands... I would rather buy something with a story or history than just another

piece from a boutique.Najeh Zimmermann

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that sits alongside a bookshelf crammed with novels and family photos. Her home is best described, in her words, as “quite eclectic and very contemporary, in a way.”It’s apparent that time is of essence to Najeh. “My daughters have these huge lists of items they require for their rooms, and I keep telling them we will get around to shopping.” While she would love to allocate time towards designing her home, Najeh understands it’s a remarkable year for Antidote. In addition to the launch of the e-commerce platform, they will be showcasing their artists’ works in New York, Paris, and the distinguished La Biennale di Venezia — a highlight for Antidote, with the crème de la crème of architectural companies gathering for the occasion. Back in Dubai, the company has been receiving a great response, too. “Dubai is very much the centre right now. It attracts people and has the capacity to absorb.” When compared to the West, Najeh believes that in Dubai it’s easy to prove your worth when it’s good quality. “If you show that you’re dependable and people trust you, that is half of your success.”

from various artists. The wall is festooned with art from France, Egypt, Belgium and Switzerland, each placement indicative of her eye for design and structure. Her style is a depiction of this also, with a chunky Murano glass ring and gold leaf insert, from Italian-brand Idonthaveasister, being one of her favourite accessories.An element of playfulness is prevalent throughout Najeh’s home, with the dining table acting as a creative art form, too. The prototype is a carrom board/poker table that can be played upon. Najeh had the table fitted with glass to make it functional. Her statement yellow chair is another piece that showcases Najeh’s fun side, adding a pop of colour to the living room. Speaking of colour, Najeh is quick to declare her wardrobe is predominantly black, with the only bits of colour coming through via subtle prints and accessories. The entrepreneur leans towards local designer Essa for easy-to-wear pieces with contemporary flair. “I prefer clean lines and love supporting local talent. Most of my pieces are from Essa as they are versatile. I realised my clothes don’t have to be loud, but they speak volumes in different ways,” she says. Since Najeh’s demanding schedule comprises meetings, viewings, and travels, she often finds herself shopping while globetrotting, or gravitating towards trusty Net-a-Porter for convenience. “I prefer design over brands. When I shop, it depends on my mood or pieces that speak to me. I would rather buy something with a story or history than just another piece from a boutique,” she says. Her most recent purchase was a Gucci handbag picked solely for the crystal embellishment and clasp. Najeh’s oldest daughter has followed her mother’s footsteps with all-black ensembles being her go-to option. Does she rummage through her mother’s closet? “She recently asked to borrow my Balenciaga dress for an outing. It’s crazy how they even know these brands,” laughs Najeh, as she mentions how she turned down the request, making her daughter aware of the fact that she needs to work hard and earn it. While her style is quite contemporary, fashion and décor-wise Najeh does enjoy an offbeat retro aesthetic. Certain art pieces resemble vintage furniture, with Najeh describing each one as we continue our tour. The Dream which Slept Forever is by a Pakistani artist who had an ambition of becoming a pilot, however, didn’t reach his goal. The heart-rending piece is a wooden chair, used in Pakistani schools during an examination, with a cement plane falling off the desk. While a touching story, it infuses character to a vacant area. Najeh also mentions she has a few heirloom pieces from her grandmother, placed carefully around the home. Her personality comes through with details such as the evil eye protection side table and a human-sized tree

Najeh wears top and trousers by Roland Mouret at BySymphony, shoes by

Givenchy and cuff by Nina Bakry