A sculptural stainless steel cabinet inspired by Emirati heirlooms, transforming traditional cardamom-shaped bangles into a ritual of reflection.
Haila is a jewellery cabinet inspired by the Emirati tradition of heirlooms passed from one generation to the next. It stems from a personal story: a bangle inherited from my grandmother to my mother, and then to my sister. Carrying not only material value, but the weight of memory, continuity, and love.
In Arabic, the word Haila holds many meanings: it refers to wealth and abundance, the aromatic spice cardamom and a handful or batch of something. It is also a feminine name rooted in the verb “to pour, scatter, or overwhelm,” This layered richness deepens the symbolic resonance of Haila: a name that embodies treasure, fragrance, emotion, and femininity.
The cabinet itself takes form from the traditional Emirati cardamom-shaped bangle, transforming its curves into a contemporary sculptural object. Crafted from stainless steel electroplated to mimic brass, with velvet-lined compartments and a mirror, Haila turns the daily act of storing jewellery into a ritual of reflection and care.
Just as jewellery in Emirati culture is both adorned and treasured, Haila serves as both protector and storyteller. By repurposing metal into a timeless object, it bridges sustainability with heritage, echoing the endurance of heirlooms and ensuring that memory, like design, can be passed down and reimagined across generations.
