Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3, is a visionary leader driving Dubai’s position as a global hub for design, fashion, and innovation. At the heart of her mission are unity and creativity, bringing together a diverse community of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs to foster collaboration and elevate emerging talent. In honour of the 53rd National Day of the UAE, we sit down with Khadija to explore creative innovation, the role of community in driving success, and her vision for the future of the UAE’s creative landscape.

Tell us about yourself and what your role represents.

I am the Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), a global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group PJSC. For nearly a decade, d3 has been advancing Dubai’s design ecosystem, becoming such an influential contributor to our nation’s economic, cultural and creative development. To me, my role ultimately represents Dubai’s growing multicultural social fabric. We have this one-of-a-kind community of design businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, freelancers, and students from the UAE, the region and around the world who are so passionate about creative excellence and collaboration, which really speaks to Dubai’s increasing influence as a global creative producer and innovator. d3 supports these businesses with purpose-built infrastructure and the connections, collaborations, community and platforms to shine and inspire.

This UAE National Day celebrates unity. How does d3 foster a sense of community and collaboration through different disciplines— fashion, design, art and technology?

d3 is a dynamic ecosystem where more than 1,000 creative businesses and 19,000 professionals from across the globe come together. Transcending cultural and language differences, they pool diverse traditions, perspectives and influences to create art, fashion, designs, architecture and innovations that resonate deeply. We work hard to unite this multidisciplinary community through regular networking sessions, design events, and platforms encouraging our stakeholders to connect and exchange insights. By serving as the bridge within the design community, we hope to facilitate transformative collaborations and accelerate Dubai and the UAE’s creative and cultural evolution.

As a leader, how do you inspire the spirit of togetherness and creative collaboration?

Collaboration is so deeply entrenched in the ethos of d3, but it requires building bridges that encourage people to connect meaningfully. There are varied ways I go about that. For one, I am a huge advocate of an open-door policy. Whether it’s my team or community members, I am available to help find solutions and identify opportunities that meet objectives. It allows us to navigate evolving challenges better and push the creative ecosystem forward. Having a solid network also contributes to this. Engaging people who share your vision and passion is pivotal to fruitful collaborations that achieve collective goals, deliver impact and inspire audiences.

How is the UAE positioning itself as a global leader in the arts?

The UAE brings such an action, purpose-driven and unique perspective to the global creative dialogue. In d3, many brands leverage design to address global challenges, whether sustainability or inclusive urban development. The critical approach to the applications, potential, and power of design really sets us apart. While self-expression or aesthetics are also motivators, there’s considerable interest in using design as a positive force that resonates globally and across generations. Dubai and the UAE’s multicultural fabric also gives us such a distinct creative identity that merges our rich Arab history with influences from all over the world.

Which places in the UAE hold a special meaning for you?

As someone born and raised here, there are so many special places for me. If I had to pick a few, I would start with The Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Whenever I visit the capital, I try to make a call here – particularly in the winter around sunset. It always resonates emotionally, and walking through the gardens there is so moving. The Museum of the Future is unique because it embodies the innovative and forward-thinking vision of our nation. It’s a symbol that we embrace and lead change, rather than fearing it, tying in our traditions to create something that preserves our identity while preparing for the future. The Hajar mountains are another favourite of mine. It’s always so important to escape the city and connect with nature, and I love a trip to Hatta. Nothing is as calming as an early morning kayaking session on the dam – I was there very recently at 6 AM and it was a wonderful way to begin the day. And, of course, d3 itself. Talking to our community and seeing the incredible talent and design executions inspires me in so many ways. It nourishes my passion and reminds me of how what we are doing and creating together is so valuable.

How has the rich heritage of the UAE influenced the person you are today?

As an Emirati woman, the heritage and traditions of my country are integral to my identity. I was influenced by our history and traditions very early on. As a teenager, I was the youngest member of the Architectural Heritage Society, tasked with preserving, documenting and rehabilitating the architectural heritage of the UAE. I had the unique opportunity to travel around the country, visiting our heritage sites and even the broader Arab world, such as Tunisia and Morocco. It taught me how sites earn the UNESCO classification. It’s exciting to see it all come full circle in my role at d3, as I see so many local designers across architecture, product design, and fashion incorporate these heritage elements in a contemporary way. JOD Design, based in our district, is a perfect example of this. Seeing younger generations reimagine our history and identity for more global audiences is always exciting.

How do you think our wardrobes, lifestyle choices, and daily routines impact our emotions and overall sense of well-being?

I firmly believe our external environment impacts our internal balance. Our lifestyles, fashion choices and routines allow us to express ourselves and create a community around our passions and interests. When it comes to my wardrobe, I enjoy colour. Colours bring so much positivity, vibrancy and freshness to my mood and spirit. I often align my outfits with my work schedule and commitments, choosing them to complement the theme or ambience of where I’m going.

What role does creative and cultural innovation play in shaping the country’s future?

Design is central to our history and heritage and will remain pivotal to Dubai’s path forward. It also shows to the world our unique views, ideas and identity. The creative and cultural industries are becoming increasingly vital pillars in our national sustainable economic roadmap. This is evidenced by the newly launched Design Sector Strategy 2030, which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for design excellence, as well as the National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries, which aims to increase the sector’s contribution to 5% of the UAE’s GDP by 2031. These federal and Dubai-level strategies will continue to foster growth in our knowledge-based economy, attract investment and nurture diversity and excellence in our creative output.

As an advocate for nurturing talent, how do you envision the future of the UAE evolving?

Dubai is a magnet for quality global talent and opportunity. Flourishing economic activity further fuels that engine, providing businesses and investors access to top-tier talent. We have more than 200 nationalities that call the UAE home, so there’s incredible diversity in perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that help businesses remain resilient and relevant, particularly for brands targeting an increasingly informed, global and tech-savvy audience. As Dubai’s economic diversification agenda and pro-business legislation continue to draw investment, facilitating the growth of SMEs and multinationals, we can expect even more brilliant talent, innovation and creative output to follow.