MARLI NEW YORK Founder Maral Artinian And Emirati Creative Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi Share Their Love Of Cityscapes, Creative Ingenuity And Chicness

by Ayesha Shaikh

12 minute read
September 20, 2022

MARLI NEW YORK Founder Maral Artinian And Emirati Creative Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi Share Their Love Of Cityscapes, Creative Ingenuity And Chicness

What binds two creatives? Is it their collective leaning towards objects of beauty? I think it’s the confluence of their individual streams of passions and pursuits. When I met Maral Artinian, whose distinct jewellery designs are informed by her penchant for architecture, I thought it’ll be fitting to connect her with Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, who shares her love of cityscapes, creative ingenuity and, of course, chicness.

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo Midi Rev luxe diamond pendant, and Cleo Rev diamond long drop earrings, diamond slim slip-on bracelet, and slim diamond ring in yellow gold and green jade; full diamond slim slip-on bracelet in yellow gold; and Cleo 2 Link full diamond ring in rose gold; styled with YOOX top and trousers, and BY FAR mules

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo full diamond drop earrings and long chain full diamond drop pendant necklace, Cleo 2 Link diamond slip-on bracelet, and Cleo Rev diamond ring in rose gold and lapis lazuli; and Cleo 2 Link full diamond ring and slip-on bracelet in rose gold; styled with Joseph blazer at THE OUTNET, Elisabetta Franchi shirt and skirt, and Christian Louboutin boots

They’re two of a kind. As professionals, they stretch well into the design stratosphere—Maral is the founder and creative director of fine jewellery brand MARLI NEW YORK, and Dr. Alamira is a nonpareil architect, urbanist and historian.

“Dr. Alamira and I have a deep appreciation of architecture and art, and, most importantly, we revere culture and heritage,” says Maral. “We both prioritise precision and dedication in our respective professions. I’m inspired by all women leaders who are ambitious and have identified their purpose in life,” she adds.

“Women’s creativity is unstoppable and it’s a force to be reckoned with when united through collaboration,” Dr. Alamira notes. “Even with our distinct styles, we may have birthed something new and exciting together—and that’s the power of connection,” she states, referencing Villa 88’s latest cover.

Both Maral and Dr. Alamira’s creative journeys are anchored in personal interactions and the support of their loved ones. Maral comes from an Armenian family that has been part of the jewellery industry for more than a century. “I feel like creating jewellery is in my DNA,” she shares.

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Avenues statement earrings and ring, open-hinged bracelet, and Mode ring in white gold; styled with Jacquemus blazer at Bloomingdale’s, and YOOX trousers

“I used to spend a lot of time at the family workshop when I was a child. As I grew older,
I started to pay more attention to the intricate details and diligence that went into each design, and fell in love with the beautiful creations. I learnt many lessons in that workshop, but witnessing the craftsmanship and techniques taught me the most important lesson of all— never compromise on quality,” Maral notes.

“I hail from a family of creatives and critical thinkers,” says Dr. Alamira. “My family has always supported my endeavours and dreams, and I owe much of my success to them.”

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo 2 Link full diamond ring and slip-on bracelets, and Cleo Rev full diamond long drop earrings and long chain drop pendant necklace in rose gold; styled with Johanna Ortiz dress

On the educational front, Maral pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Marketing at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, which helped her understand the branding process and the MARLI consumer. “It allowed me to create pieces for women to express themselves and their individuality,” she comments.

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo full diamond midi hoop earrings, and Cleo Rev diamond ring in rose gold and lapis lazuli; and full diamond ring and slim slip-on bracelet in white gold; styled with Jacquemus shirt and trousers
at Bloomingdale’s

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo Jazz diamond stud earrings and ring in rose gold and pink opal; styled with Studio Amelia shirt at Harvey Nichols – Dubai, Sandro trousers at
THE OUTNET, and Slouchyz coat

Dr. Alamira studied Architecture and took a few courses in Urban Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), followed by completing her Master’s in Urban Planning at the University of Southern California, USA. She later pursued a doctoral degree at UC Berkeley, becoming the first Emirati woman to be awarded a PhD in Urban Planning. Currently working with the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, she oversees the Emirate’s strategic urban development.

Maral and Dr. Alamira’s visual vocabularies are informed by their travels and the architectural splendour of cities like New York, which is where MARLI was founded in 2014. “I don’t just take inspiration from its culture and streets, but also from the spectacular women who live there,” shares Maral. “As a child, I was deeply inspired by New York City, which is why it made sense to choose it as MARLI’s home ground.”

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Tip-Top diamond statement stud earrings and necklace, and Cleo 2 Link full diamond slip-on bracelets in rose gold; and Cleo Jazz diamond ring and slip-on bracelet in rose gold and pink opal; styled with Phillip Lim waistcoat, top and trousers at Bloomingdale’s, and BY FAR pumps

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Cleo full diamond midi hoop earrings in white gold; Cleo Rev full diamond ring and slim slip-on bracelet in white gold; slim diamond ring in yellow gold and green jade; and full diamond slim slip-on bracelet in yellow gold; styled with Sacai jacket and trousers at Harvey Nichols – Dubai, and Valentino pumps

Dr. Alamira reveals, “I wrote most of my book, Planning Abu Dhabi: An Urban History (2018), while in a cabin in Joshua Tree, California, and a small hostel for creatives in Goa, among other places. Visiting New York also allowed me to be inspired and to understand Abu Dhabi, especially since Manhattan is designed on a gridiron road system similar to the UAE capital.”

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Avenues statement earrings and ring, open-hinged bracelet, and Mode ring in white gold; styled with Jacquemus blazer at Bloomingdale’s, and YOOX trousers

Maral holds that New York and the UAE are intrinsically diverse. “They’re cultural melting pots. During my visit to Dubai this year, I was fascinated by its architectural landscape with modern buildings, like the Museum of the Future,” states Maral, who was also based in the Emirates for a few years.

The UAE is central to MARLI’s vision of growing its presence in the Gulf, with its first regional flagship store having opened in Dubai three years ago. “The UAE is MARLI’s second home,” comments Maral. “It’s here that we witnessed our dream unfold and expanded our footprint,” she adds about the brand that recently opened the doors to its first boutique at The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. “Women in the UAE are celebrating a new era of empowerment and I’m proud to be part of it. I have a strong connection with Emirati women. They trust our creations because we never compromise on quality.”

Since its launch, MARLI has made great strides in retail and e-tail, with nine standalone boutiques around the world and a growing e-commerce platform.

“We’ve faced seemingly unsolvable challenges at every stage of the business, but we’ve learnt to turn them into opportunities. The difficult roads have always led to beautiful destinations,” shares Maral. “We believe our brand is as strong as our team, which is diverse and believes in our core values and vision.”

MARLI is beloved for its handcrafted pieces in 18-carat gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds and vibrant gemstones, which are ethically sourced and boast aching attention to detail. “I usually preach about going back to artisanry and handiwork, as there’s a certain je ne sais quoi about these techniques that have been overpowered by industrialisation and mass production,” comments Dr. Alamira.

The brand’s creations have quickly become badges of honour for women due to their decidedly modern spirit that prioritises the wearer. “Cleo by MARLI is our first and most popular collection. Many customers started their MARLI journey with Cleo and explored other lines as we launched them,” notes Maral. “Cleo translates the strong architectural vocabulary that’s integral to the brand, offering the perfect mix of yin and yang—it’s feminine yet strong and fierce.”

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Tip-Top diamond statement earrings and choker necklace in rose gold and white agate; and Avenues Index ring in white gold; styled with Fendi coat, trousers and sandals

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Avenues statement earrings and hinged bracelet, ring and Mode ring in white gold; styled with RĒNWA dress and Andrea Wazen sandals

Dr. Alamira says, “My favorite thing about the Cleo collection is the selection of stones. Each one is extraordinarily powerful, from pink opal to lapis lazuli. It’s fitting that a collection named after the powerful Cleopatra would carry these stones.”

Maral wears MARLI NEW YORK Tip-Top diamond statement earrings and choker necklace in rose gold and white agate; and Avenues Index ring in white gold; styled with Fendi coat, trousers and sandals

Dr. Alamira wears MARLI NEW YORK Avenues statement earrings and hinged bracelet, ring and Mode ring in white gold; styled with RĒNWA dress and Andrea Wazen sandals

Dr. Alamira notes that the refined and emotive evocations of MARLI pieces resonate with her. “I admire that Maral’s approach to design combines a deep understanding of materials and proportions, and the intention to stir an emotion. This is aligned with what most architecture aims to achieve,” she shares. “I love that the Avenues collection makes a bold statement, much like many architectural wonders do. Embellished with diamonds, it reminds me of a thriving metropolis that’s lit up. It’s as if the jewellery was crafted by an architect.”

MARLI launched two new lines this year, Tip-Top and UNII, and continues to add new designs to previous ones. “Launching MARLI and seeing women joyfully discover the collections is special,” says Maral. “Our customers have broadened their palates and we love seeing how they adapt the pieces to their personal style.”

As Maral and Dr. Alamira take their leave, they share empowering words for us to keep shining our inner light. “Women in the UAE have proven repeatedly that there’s no task that’s impossible due to their hard work, dedication and ambition,” Maral states.

“My message is: go home and love yourselves,” adds Dr. Alamira. “We’re all connected to the cosmos, to nature, and to everyone around us. A sustainable future depends on a resilient and enlightened society.”

Visit Marlinewyork.com and follow @Marli, @Maralartinian and @Alamira.reem on Instagram