Before launching the cARTel, May Barber enjoyed a career as an “award-winning architect who later ventured into the art world before landing in fashion.”

It was in 2013 that she launched the business, which she describes as “a triangle of art, architecture and fashion. This entrepreneurial venture was a movement to launch and support emerging talents and uplift the local taste and consumption of fashion into something more meaningful, rich and avant-garde.”

Whilst the store’s accomplishments have been many, there are two that stick out in May’s mind. “One of the most prominent exhibitions was presenting the world’s first 3D printed haute couture by Iris Van Herpen for the first time in the Middle East. I am also extremely proud to be one of the first platforms to showcase and support local designers and ‘export’ these talents, such as Bint Thani and Rula Galayini, to global markets via our partnership with Farfetch.com.”