Newsfeed
In a region where creativity is increasingly shaping the global conversation, this is sometimes not acknowledged on the international stage.
This is exactly why Lara Jabara took it upon herself to build something that felt both timely and deeply necessary.
Enter the FAME Collective. As an acronym for Female Artists of the Middle East, this platform, founded by Lara, sits at the intersection of fashion, art and cultural storytelling.
The initiative champions a new wave of talent while reframing how the Middle East is seen, both within and beyond its borders.
For this edition of the GRAZIA Career Edit, Lara reflects on a path that has been anything but conventional, from her early creative instincts to founding a platform rooted in purpose, community and visibility. What emerges is a portrait of a founder who isn’t just building a brand, but carving out space for a generation of voices ready to be heard.
My current role is…
I wear many hats. As Founder and Creative Director of The FAME Collective, I oversee brand strategy, curation, and the overall vision—building a platform that champions emerging artists and designers on a global stage. The creative side is what I love most, especially bringing our campaigns to life through film and photography, using storytelling as a way to shape identity and connect audiences with our artists and designers.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Someone who created real change and gave others a voice. I always understood how important creativity was, not just for women, but for our region as a whole. It felt like our stories, our perspectives, and our talent were often underrepresented, even though they are such powerful touchstones of history and identity. I was drawn to the idea that creativity could preserve, express, and redefine who we are, and that it deserved to be seen and celebrated on a global stage.
My favourite subject at school was…
anything creative! Art, Art history, photography, and textiles are subjects that allowed me to think differently and express ideas beyond structure. It was always important for me to have a creative outlet for my emotions. I’ve always felt that artists see the world differently; they sometimes notice what others might overlook, and translate that perspective into something meaningful.
My first job was…
working as a creative and marketing intern at Mulberry in London, and I absolutely loved it. It was a pivotal moment for the brand, as they had just undergone a shift in creative director, so I was exposed early on to the process of rebuilding and refining brand identity. That experience really shaped how I think about positioning and storytelling today. It also gave me a real insight into the fast-paced nature of the industry.
My career path so far has been…
anything but linear. It’s evolved through a blend of entrepreneurship, curation, brand development, art direction, consulting and much more. Each experience adds a different layer to how I think and create. Every step, even the unexpected ones, has shaped my perspective and approach, ultimately leading me to found FAME Collective.
The role the UAE has played in my career is…
foundational. It’s where I’ve been able to build, experiment, and grow within a fast-moving, opportunity-driven environment that truly supports entrepreneurship. There’s a unique sense of warmth and community that makes it feel collaborative rather than competitive; people genuinely want to see each other succeed. That support, combined with an undeniable desire to grow and push boundaries, creates an energy that is both inspiring and motivating.
The story of FAME Collective is…
a celebration of women from our region. It is rooted in a desire to create access and champion the incredible talent of our region. I saw incredibly talented designers who lacked the platform, network, and visibility to scale, and FAME was built to bridge that gap and bring those voices to the forefront. It’s about empowering creatives to own their narratives, step into their full potential, and ensuring that creativity from our region is not only supported, but seen, valued, and celebrated on a global stage, and for that feeling we create to be felt in all women through FAME.
I was inspired to enter the fashion space because…
Fashion is more than aesthetics—it’s identity, culture, and storytelling. In the Middle East, especially, clothing carries deep meaning; it reflects heritage, individuality, and the evolving expression of who we are. At FAME, we often refer to it as “Art Wear” because we see garments as living expressions of creativity, pieces that hold narrative, emotion, and intention. I was drawn to fashion’s ability to shape narratives, preserve culture, and create impact in ways that feel both beautiful and powerful.
My daily routine consists of…
a blend of curation, meeting new artists and designers, creative direction, and building towards our next project, which right now is our upcoming pop-up in London, something I am incredibly excited about! No two days are ever the same, which is exactly what I love about it; the work is constantly evolving, and so is the energy behind it.
My role as Founder entails…
wearing multiple hats, from decision-making and partnerships to creative oversight and long-term vision. It’s about balancing the big picture with the day-to-day execution. The fun never stops!
The biggest hurdle I’ve experienced in my career…
has been navigating in uncertainty. Especially within the turmoil and constant change happening in our region, there have been moments that feel unpredictable and challenging. But in many ways, that is exactly why our work feels even more important. It pushes us to move with greater purpose, to safeguard our art, protect our narratives, and continue to push forward even more boldly.
The biggest milestone I’ve achieved…
professionally is launching and growing FAME Collective into a recognised platform that supports and elevates emerging female talent from our region. What makes it even more meaningful is the community we’ve built around it, one that extends far beyond the work itself, connecting creatives, fostering collaboration, and creating a sense of belonging that feels both powerful and intentional. On a personal level, I have been doing the inner work to truly know myself. Learning to move from a place of authenticity, alignment, and self-trust has shaped not only how I lead, but how I live. It’s given me the clarity and confidence to build something that is deeply rooted in purpose.
A quote I live by is…
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears”, Rumi says. Clarity doesn’t come before action. It comes from it. It is about having faith that nothing for you will ever pass you by.
What I hope for 2026 is…
First and foremost, peace for our region. From there, continued growth, global expansion, and deeper impact through FAME Collective, creating more opportunities for the artists we work with and continually pushing the boundaries of what the platform can become. My hope is to keep building with purpose while amplifying the voices and creativity that deserve to be seen on a global stage.
