Dubai artist creates ‘wearable art’ collection inspired by UAE’s spirit of unity

Born and raised in Dubai, Dina Sami has developed a visual language shaped by the city’s pace, its constant reinvention and the way cultures naturally intersect within it.

In her collaboration with New Balance, she introduces a series of UAE-inspired wearable design pieces featuring phrases such as “We Stand Together” and “In the UAE Everyone is Emirati,” expressed through patchwork designs that speak to solidarity and resilience.

Beyond the designs the project also reflects a wider commitment to supporting homegrown talent and local businesses at a time when independent creatives continue to face challenges in visibility and opportunity, positioning the collection as both a creative expression and a community-led platform rooted in place.

As someone born and raised in Dubai, how has the city shaped your creative identity and visual language over time?

I grew up alongside Dubai, its ambition, its pace and its constant evolution. Being surrounded by that energy and so many cultures from early on shaped how I see and create.

My visual language naturally became layered, pulling from different references but always grounded in a sense of place. My work is rooted in storytelling, and the stories this city holds are endless.

This collaboration with New Balance centres on themes of unity and belonging. What inspired the specific phrases used in the collection?

It stemmed from observing how people in the UAE connect with each other, with the city and with the idea of home. There is a shared language here even across different cultures. 

In a moment where the region was going through a lot collectively there was a strong sense of trust support and a desire to uplift one another. That feeling really drove this collection. The designs were rooted in community in belonging and in the collective energy the city carries.

Can you walk us through the design process behind the patchwork pieces and how you translated these themes into wearable form?

I wanted to reflect the different cultures that make up the UAE and create something that felt in motion carrying the same energy the city does. Working with New Balance we shared that same love for the city, so it became about translating that visually almost like a badge of honour through patches. 

The process was fluid moving between iPad laptop and hand sketching, but the core idea was always rooted in sentiment. The patches were designed to live across totes tees and bags intentionally allowing people to customise and make the pieces their own.

This project also highlights the importance of supporting local creatives and small businesses. How do you see collaborations like this impacting the wider creative community?

Collaborations like this create visibility but more importantly they create opportunity. They show that local creatives are not just contributors they are storytellers shaping how brands connect with people. 

When global brands tap into local talent to tell local stories it creates something more authentic and meaningful. It opens up space for more voices to be seen heard and valued.

In a time where many independent designers are facing challenges, what has this partnership meant for you both professionally and personally?

Professionally it is about creative alignment working with New Balance a brand that values creativity and understands how to engage with community in an authentic way. Personally, it means representing a place that raised me especially at a time when the city felt so united. There is a real sense of pride in translating that into something tangible and wearable.

Looking ahead, how do you hope this initiative will influence conversations around identity, community and creativity in the UAE?

I hope it reinforces the idea that creativity has the power to connect people rather than divide them. I hope it moves the conversation forward by placing community at the centre and allowing local voices to shape how the UAE is seen and experienced. It becomes both a statement and a connection something you wear with pride.

Visit: newbalance.co.ae