Lifestyle

One of the best parts of my job is getting to encounter new people, places, and things, and then having the privilege of bringing the best of them into the pages of Emirates Woman. In this, our Discovery issue, that fact is felt in full force across every page, as our team of writers, photographers, and stylists came together to propose features designed to make our readers sit up, take notice, and hopefully talk about what they have learned with their friends and families.

And boy, are there lots of things to talk about. Kicking things off is our outstanding cover star, the artist Aidha Badr. In Head in the Clouds, she opens up about how she is able to process loss and grief in her art through the prism of childlike wonder. In Big Cat Energy, wildlife photographer Kriti Walia recounts her remarkable journey from hotelier to baker to photographer, and her quest to photograph all seven big cats in the wild. And in a series of shoots – Take a Stance, Sea Change , and Second Nature  – we highlight creativity in myriad forms, proving that even as AI encroaches on every industry, it is still the human touch that resonates most deeply with our inner artists. Other great features worth your time include a lovely interview with Aida Al Busaidy. In Building the Next Chapter, the vice president of social and consumer advocacy at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism discusses how the city is navigating a challenging year. Jewellery designer Pippa Small talks about the importance of supporting other artists in The Weight of Small Things. And start planning that next holiday with your besties – as Girls, We’re Going proves, girl trips are good for your health.

Finally, remember to vote for your preferred winner in each of the 13 categories of this year’s Emirates Woman Awards. Voting closes at the end of this month, so don’t wait to have your say. Enjoy the issue.