Hannah Rasekh 
Founder of Chamber Gyld Design House, Zeena AlAhmad, was born on July 17, 1987 in Amman, Jordan. Her artisan talent was pursued through her studies in Studio Arts and Interior Design in Canada and the United Kingdom.
With a paintbrush in hand, and from within the confines of a four walled studio, emerged a line of exquisitely designed and passionately produced items that act as a ‘Gyld’ to every home. After launching her first furniture collection in 2012, Zeena has adhered her admiration and passion for art and design, and she ventured into creating a new concept of exhibition space; Chamber Gyld. The bespoke design house encompasses a number of different talents from the region and all around the world. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk to Zeena about this new venture and what she has in store for 2014.
You are known as the founder of Chamber Gyld, your furniture design line. I’m a huge fan. What inspired you to open the Chamber Gyld Design House and incorporate fashion and jewelry by other local and regional designers?
Amman’s first bespoke design house, Chamber Gyld’s concept is to create a hub for talented designers to display and promote their distinguished statement pieces. The aim is to highlight the power of collaboration and showcase the original talents, who produce exquisite work with excellent quality and finish. We bring fresh, avante-garde and aesthetic designs to your home and wardrobe from the world’s trendiest spots. Chamber Gyld Design House offers an eclectic mix of hand-made items, at which many are exclusively made for our Chamber! We aim to use our spacious high-ceiling window display, as an opportunity to bring out the unconventional vision in every designer. Keeping true to the Design House that Chamber Gyld is, the window display will be an ever-changing attraction for people to look forward to each season. Chamber Gyld is not just a concept boutique; it is more of a dynamic space that seeks social interaction via events, competitions, pop-up shop concepts and social media collaborations.
What are the local and regional brands we can find at the design house?
Anknownymous, Basma Furniture, Zeena Chamber Gyld, Dina Gildeh AlMasara, Aennis Eunis, Raya Bisharat, Jad Ghandour, Nour Taher, Mohammad Tamimi, Chic Gylds, Vanina, Laith Qattan, Ola Medanat, Badr Adduja, Haya Awad, and more designers and artists are joining Chamber Gyld’s Design House.
You have also designed your own line of handbags, or "Chic Gylds" to be precise, what inspired you to branch out into fashion and accessories?
My passion towards art and design allows me to branch out of just my specialty in painting and furniture. I wouldn’t call myself a handbag designer, because my "Chic Gylds" are funky, artistic and unique. The patterns and beading are especially handmade for this collection, making each piece a statement accessory.
Where do you draw your influences from when it comes to the design process?
From my everyday surroundings, travels and patterns present everywhere; from nature to fashion.
What’s in the pipeline for the Chamber Gyld brand in 2014?
We’re looking forward to adding many more designers and artists to the Chamber Gyld team. We have a full schedule of trunk shows, pop-up shop concepts and many more events. We’ll be having exciting window display competitions and hopefully in the near future, an expansion to Chamber Gyld – Tea Room.
How would you describe your own personal style?
I consider my style to be classic/contemporary.
How do you spend your free time when you’re not sketching or designing?
Brainstorming, brainstorming and more brainstorming! Seriously, design has become part of me!
What is your favorite city and why?
London and Beirut are by far my two favorite cities for their history, culture and art.
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