Vacheron Constantin has launched its ‘One of not many Mentorship Program’ in the UAE, in collaboration with Zayed University. The six-month educational initiative aims at empowering young women, offering them an avenue to observe, explore and experiment under the wing of six inspiring and successful Emirati women.

The mentors are Rafia Helal Bin Drai, fashion designer and founder of couture house Mauzan, Hala Al Gergawi, founder and CEO of Tea Before Noon, Latifa Al Gurg, fashion designer and founder of Twisted Roots, author-artist Alia Al Shamsi, Salama Al Shamsi, founder of Salama’s Restaurant, and Noora Shawqi, jewelry designer and founder of her eponymous brand.

Noora Shawqi, Rafia Helal Bin Drai and Alia Al Shamsi

Commenting on the program, Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth and President of Zayed University, said, “One of Not Many Mentorship Program is an illustration of the dedication of Emirati women towards the development of their country. The program is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for our students to work closely with brilliant female leaders in the UAE.”

HE Noura added, “I’m certain that this experience will be an extraordinary one for them, as they will get to learn directly from the source and they will be able at the end of the program to be more empowered to make decisions, identify goals and establish a sense of direction for their own careers and ambitions.”

Latifa AlGurg, Salama Al Shamsi and Hala Al Gergawi

Beginning in November this year with a three-week recruitment period, the program will allow ambitious undergraduate students the chance to choose a mentor and apply through the Zayed University website for a spot among the six final students.

The initiative will include regular mentor-mentee sessions with the goal of creating a tailored plan for each student, which will be attuned to their respective professional objectives. By the end of the program, any of the six selected students will also be granted the opportunity to intern with Vacheron Constantin.

Offering a unique coming together of haute couture and haute horlogerie, Vacheron Constantin has also collaborated with Mauzan for an ethereal capsule collection of seven abayas, inspired by Égérie, the first women’s-only timepiece collection that’s also featured on the cover of Villa 88’s latest edition, The Reflection Issue.

Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin. Cover image, from L to R: Noora Shawqi, Alia Al Shamsi, Hala Al Gergawi, Latifa AlGurg, Rafia Helal Bin Drai, and Salama Al Shamsi.