When Christiana and Lara Jabara launched FAME Collective, they probably didn’t realize they were starting a whole movement. The mother-daughter duo wanted to change how Middle Eastern women’s creativity is seen and celebrated in a world where their creative output is so often overlooked. Thus, they launched FAME. The platform— which stands for Female Artists of the Middle East— is a space where fine art, interior design, jewelry, and accessories come together, telling stories as rich and diverse as the region itself. But it’s also much more than that.
“For us, this was about more than showcasing beautiful things,” says Lara. “It was about celebrating the resilience, creativity, and power of MENA women and expanding how the world perceives them.” The idea was born from Christiana’s studies in contemporary art at Sotheby’s Institute and Lara’s background in creative direction. Both noticed the glaring lack of representation for Middle Eastern women and decided to create a space that could change that.
Their vision? A curated community where heritage meets modern identity and art becomes a tool for empowerment. Christiana explains, “We wanted to honor the personal and collective stories of MENA women through their art, while also helping them connect with audiences locally and globally.”
And they’ve done just that. FAME brings together a mix of renowned names like Nada Debs, Rania Matar, and L’atelier Nawbar, alongside emerging talent. “Whether it’s through our online collections or pop-ups in places like Mykonos and Dubai, we’re creating spaces where women come together, share their stories, and feel seen,” Lara says.
At its core, FAME is about community. Online, it’s a beautifully curated platform where every piece has a story, every artist a voice. Offline, it’s pop-ups and exhibitions that bring these stories to life. “It’s incredible to see women connecting over the art we present, forming friendships, and building a community that’s as diverse as it is supportive,” Lara adds.
As if what their work wasn’t already remarkable enough, FAME also has a charitable element to it. The platform operates as a social enterprise, donating part of its proceeds to women’s charities like Stand for Women in Beirut and The Palestinian Feminist Collective. They’re also collaborating with a non-profit supporting female entrepreneurs in the Middle East, because “It’s important to us that FAME uplifts women not just creatively, but economically,” Lara says.
And the artists? They’re chosen with care. FAME prioritizes work that’s authentic, steeped in cultural heritage, and reflective of each artist’s personal story. “We love when you can see a designer’s personality and history in their work, whether it’s a piece of jewelry, furniture, or even what we call ‘Art Wear’—high-end accessories with a real sense of cultural symbolism,” Lara explains.
The duo has also leaned into storytelling with campaigns like “Journey to Self,” which explored themes of identity and empowerment. “For me, it’s about reminding women of their strength and potential,” says Lara. “We want every interaction with FAME to leave people feeling inspired and connected—not just to the artists, but to themselves.”
The experience of building FAME has also been a great bonding experience, bringing the mother-and-daughter duo closer together. “We’ve learned to appreciate each other’s strengths and perspectives,” Lara muses. “It’s deepened our bond while we’ve built something that reflects both of our passions.”
Ultimately, FAME Collective goes beyond art. As Lara puts it, “Our hope is that FAME inspires people—whether they’re browsing the site, attending a pop-up, or simply seeing our story—to recognize the beauty, resilience, and power of MENA women. That’s what this is all about.”
