Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 9, we sit down with Mark Eacott, Global Vice President of Design at Ennismore — the group behind some of the world’s most beloved lifestyle brands, including The Hoxton, SLS, Mondrian, 25hours, and the relaunch of Delano.With a career spanning over two decades, Mark’s journey has taken him from Soho House to Philippe Starck’s YOO, and across cities like London, New York, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Dubai. At Ennismore, he leads a global design team dedicated to building brands that are authentic, experience-led, and culturally rooted.In this episode, we explore what makes a brand truly iconic, how design evolves in a post-luxury world, and why storytelling remains the foundation of great hospitality.
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Find Ennismore here: @ennismore
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 8, we sit down with Rizwan Kassim, CEO Rikas and Paris Society International, the creative force behind some of the Middle East’s most exceptional dining destinations. From La Cantine du Faubourg to Mimi Kakushi, Ninive, and Lana Lusa, RIKAS has become synonymous with immersive, design-led hospitality.
Since 2014, the group has opened 17 restaurant and beach club concepts, each rooted in storytelling, cultural nuance, and creative direction. With multiple venues now recognized by the Michelin Guide, and expansion underway across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Europe, and Morocco, Rizwan shares how emotion, atmosphere, and authenticity shape experiences that linger long after the last bite.
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Find RIKAS Hospitality Group here: @rikasgroup
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 7, we sit down with Oscar Badibanga and Gilda Gilantash Badibanga, the founders of Badibanga — a brand where fashion transcends style to become a form of expression.
Rooted in cultural depth and shaped by their global journey from Congo to Belgium to the UAE, their work celebrates individuality and the beauty of imperfection. In this episode, we explore the evolution of their brand, the intersection of art and strategy, and how fashion can tell stories that go far beyond fabric.
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Find Badibanga here: @BadibangaOfficial
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 6, we sit down with Himank Goswami, an accomplished hospitality design leader and Senior Director of Design and Capital Planning for the SWA-MEA region. Speaking in a personal capacity, Himank shares his perspective on design’s evolving role in the hospitality world — where creativity meets strategy, and spaces go beyond aesthetics to deliver emotion and value. In this episode, we explore his journey, his design philosophies, and what the future holds for an industry built on experience and connection.
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Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 5, we sit down with Ali Mohammadioun, architect, creative director, and founder of E Plus A Atelier. Born in Iran and raised in an artistic household, Ali’s work embodies a sensibility that honors materiality, heritage, and atmosphere. His projects — from intimate residences to cultural landmarks — tell stories through layers of art, texture, and nature.
In this episode, we explore Ali’s influences, philosophies, and his belief that art and architecture must evolve together, shaping how we live, move, and feel in a space.
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Find Ali here: @EPlusAAtelier
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod.
In Episode 4, we sit down with Omar Nakkash, founder and design director of the award-winning NAKKASH Design Studio – a multi-disciplinary architecture and design practice based in Dubai.
From his roots in Sharjah to Parsons in New York and design studios in Milan, Omar’s journey has been shaped by creativity, cultural identity, and a passion for human-centered design. Known for blending functionality with bold aesthetics, Omar’s approach is enriched by storytelling and his love for art, music, and objects with emotional meaning. In this episode, we explore how he builds a design philosophy that balances global inspiration with local roots, and what it truly means to create spaces that feel human.
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Find NAKKASH Design Studio here: @nakkashdesignstudio
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 3, we sit down with Sultan Al Darmaki, founder of 1833/١٨٣٣ – a private members’ club redefining the way creative and business communities connect.
As an Emirati entrepreneur and visionary, Sultan has dedicated his career to elevating networks through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. In this episode, we dive into the story of 1833/١٨٣٣, its unique identity, and how it’s dismantling barriers between creativity and commerce.
Sultan also reflects on his journey as a founder and why curated communities hold the power to spark transformation.
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Find 1833/١٨٣٣ here: @1833club
Welcome to Season 2 of The Design Pod. In Episode 2, we sit down with Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of RAK Properties – Ras Al Khaimah’s leading real estate developer. With more than 30 years of international experience, Sameh shares how real estate is not just about buildings, but about creating sustainable destinations where communities and environments thrive. In this episode, we dive into the story of Mina Al Arab, RAK Properties’ flagship waterfront community, home to brands like Anantara, InterContinental, and Nikki Beach. Sameh also reveals how the company is contributing to RAK Vision 2030, guided by the belief that people make the place.
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Find RAK Properties here: @rakproperties
The wait is over!! The Design Pod is back!
Welcome to Season 2. In Episode 1, we sit down with Esra Lemmens, founder of Esra Lemmens Agency. Known for her intuitive approach Esra shares how design is more than form. For her, it’s the choreography of ideas: how they enter the world, and what they come to mean within it. In this season premiere, we explore Esra’s unique design philosophy, how intuition fuels her creativity, and the ways she continues to shape the design industry with meaning and transformation.
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Find Esra here: @EsraLemmensAgency
In Episode 13, the season finale of The Design Pod, we welcome Kameh, a mysterious creative mind who remains completely anonymous—covered in black with a disguised voice.
In this exclusive conversation, Kameh takes us inside his world, where art, design, and secrecy intersect. He shares his unique approach to creativity and why anonymity plays a crucial role in his work.
This is not just another episode—it’s an experience that challenges the way we think about identity and artistic expression.
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Discover Kameh: @kameh.space
In this episode 12, Meshary Al Nassar Creative Director & Founder and Mishari Awadhi Managing Director & Associate Architect of Studio Meshary Al Nassar share their journey of designing spaces that transcend functionality to become deeply meaningful and timeless. They discuss how their unique approach merges architecture, interior design, and product innovation to create environments that resonate with purpose and elegance.
Listen as they explore the art of storytelling through design, their inspirations, and how culture plays a pivotal role in shaping their vision. This is an inspiring conversation that will leave you rethinking the possibilities of design.
Resources:
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In this Episode 11 ofThe Design Pod, we’re joined by Giorgio Secchi, CEO of Tecno Spa. Giorgio shares Tecno’s unique approach to creating solutions that redefine the way we work and interact with our environments.
For Giorgio, success lies in more than just sleek aesthetics—it’s about blending design and technology to meet real-world needs while staying true to Tecno’s rich legacy of innovation.
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Find Tecno Spa here: @tecnospa
In Episode 10 of The Design Pod, we welcome Stefania Digregorio and Mirko Sala Tenna, the creative duo behind Etereo Design.
Stefania and Mirko discuss their holistic approach to luxury design, focusing on creating spaces that not only captivate visually but also enhance the lifestyle of their clients. From architecture to collectible design, their work embodies a blend of Italian craftsmanship and modern innovation.
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Discover Etereo Design: @etereo_designstudio
In Episode 9 of The Design Pod, we’re joined by Rue Kothari, the visionary behind DESIGNEAST—a platform dedicated to supporting and promoting artists and designers from the Global South.
Rue shares her passion for creating opportunities for emerging talent, celebrating cultural diversity, and bridging global design narratives. Learn about her journey, her creative philosophy, and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the design world.
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Follow Chad: @ChadAskari Follow Rue: @RueKothari Learn more about DESIGNEAST: @thedesigneast
In this episode 8 of The Design Pod, we’re joined by Giulio Cappellini, a trailblazer in contemporary design and Creative Director of Cappellini.
Giulio shares his journey of innovation, his approach to discovering and mentoring emerging talent, and his insights into the ever-evolving world of design. Learn about his creative process, his influence on modern interiors, and his thoughts on shaping the future of design.
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Learn more about Cappellini: @cappelliniofficial
In this episode 7 of The Design Pod, we’re joined by David Lessard, Partner and Design Director at H+A. David discusses the practice’s unique approach to creating spaces that balance beauty, functionality, and resonance.
For David and his team, success isn’t just about stunning visuals; it’s about meeting multiple goals—from staying on budget to ensuring the design truly resonates with clients and their needs.
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Find David here: @Hplusa_Architecture
In Episode of The Design Pod, we sit down with Omar Al Gurg, the visionary behind MODU, to explore how his innovative approach is redefining the way we live with design.
Omar delves into the philosophy of creating adaptable, modular furniture and decor that seamlessly integrates into our homes and lives. He shares how the MODU Method emphasizes sustainability and versatility, transforming living spaces into functional, evolving environments that truly connect with their users.
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Find Omar here: @ModuMethod
In this episode of The Design Pod, we’re joined by Mo Jawaheri, Founder and Owner of @SuperStudioOfficial, a practice reshaping Dubai’s creative landscape.
Super Studio features a curated collection of over 40 super brands from Europe and North America, blending established and emerging names to create an eclectic mix that works in any environment.
Driven by a philosophy that design should inspire, provoke thought, and spark meaningful conversations, Mo shares how Super Studio challenges conventions and redefines what it means to design impactful spaces.
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This week, we’re delighted to have the acclaimed AD100 designer, Rabah Saeid, founder of Styled Habitat, on the Design Pod podcast! In this episode, we explore Rabah’s philosophy of creating timeless and sensual aesthetics, her approach to integrating cultural context into design, and how she transforms spaces into intimate expressions of individuality. Tune in for an inspiring discussion with a true visionary in the world of interior design.
Resources: If you’re passionate about design,:
Follow us here: @DesignPodDXB
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Find Rabah here: @StyledHabitat
In this episode of The Design Pod, we are joined by Neydine Bak and Dewald Struwig, the visionary duo behind VERHAAL, a design studio renowned for its contemporary yet timeless approach to architecture and interiors.
Known for their ability to craft meaningful spaces, VERHAAL merges narrative-driven design with bold, functional concepts that resonate on both an emotional and aesthetic level.
Neydine and Dewald share the philosophy behind VERHAAL, how they infuse storytelling into their projects, and the ways in which they challenge conventional boundaries of design.
Resources: If you’re passionate about design,
follow us here: @DesignPodDXB
To follow along with Valeria, click here: @ValeriaNushka
To follow along with Chad, click here: @ChadAskari
Find Neydine Bak and Dewald Struwig here: @Verhaalstudio
Tune in to discover how storytelling and design can create transformative spaces.
