arabic calligraphy

Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
“Qawiyah”: the Arabic word for “a woman who embodies strength” is scripted in bold, bubble-gum-pink letters with an emerald-green shadow in the centre of a fuchsia-toned silk scarf that flaunts intricately-illustrated vines topped with floral and pomegranate motifs. The scarf is one of the first designs to sell out from the collaboration between Kween Karaza and Vela Scarves, which launched on October 10, bringing the Chicago artist’s distinctive touch to a medium that’s both wearable an accessible – while stocks last, that is.
Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
And judging by her track record, that won’t be very long. I should know – for the past year I’ve had something of an Instagram girl crush on Kween Karaza, whose overall aesthetic is one that I would gladly dress my whole house in. In fact, hers is the only Instagram account I have notifications turned on for, so that I never miss a post. Still, I’ve never managed to get my hands on one of her highly-coveted creations – carpets, cushions, lampshades, vases and vessels brought to life with vivid and vibrant hand-painted Arabic calligraphy. For almost as soon as a new piece is posted, it sells out instantaneously, eternalized on Instagram in a colorful portfolio of painted masterpieces that are a fusion of contemporary culture.
Some are monochrome, while others are a lively marriage of bright pigments and floral patterns. Words like “love” and verses from poets like Nizar Qabbani are emblazoned in Arabic amid romantic backgrounds on the sculptural, statement pieces.
Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
Eliza Karazah – the artist of Irish and Levantine heritage behind the Kween Karaza moniker – says that each piece she creates is entirely hand-painted and one-of-a-kind. “I’ve been painting since before I can remember and never stopped. I can’t really navigate print or getting people to copy what I do, so I just doodle on my own stuff directly,” she tells Vogue Arabia, adding that she is content being a one-woman brand. “Slow art is truly the only way to make it, unless you want to work with people. I don’t like working with people. I like making my pieces at home and then sending them out myself with as little interaction as possible,” she explains.
Instagram, says Karazah, has been instrumental in building brand awareness, generating hype and helping her posts go viral. “I was an art teacher before switching to full-time creator,” she reveals. “It was either post online, or subject my students to my little doodles forever.” Her collaboration with Vela was born out of a DM from the US-based headscarves brand. “It was really wild, and I was super nervous because I don’t have the most pious reputation and Vela is about embracing modesty. I’m not modest,” says Karaza. “But they were here for my work, not my religiosity and they were truly the best collaborators I’ve ever had.”
Kween Karaza and Marwa Atik. Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
Vela co-founder and creative director Marwa Atik co-designed the collection with Karaza, and directed the shoot, which was a nod to their respective Syrian and Levantine cultures, and an explosion of kaleidoscopic calligraphy.
“We wanted to embrace the idea of feminine strength and self,” says Karaza. “In art, Arabic is mostly reserved to religious contexts. The Ayat Al Kursis at the doors, the Bismillahs in the kitchens. And that’s beautiful and I have all that in my home as well, but I want my pieces to be less sacred. I want them to be on the floors, touched whenever, wherever. Arabic is not just for holy truths, but for swearing and flirting.”

Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
“I’m a love poem and occasional Sufi scribble kind of gal,” continues Karazah, who experimented with the idea of divine inspiration for her collaboration with Vela. “I’ve always felt a connection with Rabia Al Basri’s Sufi poetry because it isn’t harsh or judgmental. It’s her expression of love; not fear. So we used lines from her work about finding love in the divine to find love with herself. And that could be about Allah, or that could be just about finding purpose around you.”
Al Basri’s famous saying, “I came to know love the moment I found your love” is scrawled in whimsical script across sand-toned scarves – a muted alternative to the brightly-hued green, blue and pink designs in the collaboration. A hoodie and sweatpants set stamped with “Qawiyah” is also included in the range, bringing the characteristics of the collaboration’s empowered, spiritual, culturally in-tune and multifaceted muse full circle.
Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
Photo: Creatively Directed by Marwa Atik in collaboration for VELA X KweenKaraza
The Vela X Kween Karaza collaboration is available at velascarves.com while stock lasts.

Susan Szatmáry in a Tibi jumpsuit and sandals. Photographed by Elisabeth Toll
Harnessing creativity
Born in Baghdad, Iraqi accessories designer Susan Szatmáry moved to Sweden with her family at the age of 13. She inherited her talent for sketching from her engineer father. “I always loved painting and playing piano, and my dream since I was a kid was to be a high-profile painter. I also loved Arabic calligraphy and drawing,” Szatmáry shares. Her mother nurtured her creative appetite. “She used to sew new outfits for us before Christmas; she was always working on a project,” she recalls. “My mother has always been a great inspiration for me. She never left the house without lipstick, perfume, and matching her shoes to her handbag. I always loved looking at all her accessories and clothes that my father bought for her during his trips abroad.” In the same studio where she grew up watching her mother do ceramics, Szatmáry began experimenting with leather materials.
Szatmáry’s designs are distinct with clean lines, inspired by the art deco movement and its architectural forms. “My vision is to create high-end accessories with a unique identity; a line of timeless accessories with a feminine touch and devotion to detail.”
A collection of Szatmáry’s antique treasures. Photographed by Elisabeth Toll
Before launching her brand, Szatmáry enjoyed quite a career trajectory. “Working at Alexander McQueen was the most amazing experience in fashion for me,” she recalls. “We did shoes and handbags for men and women – 12 collections and four shows a year and many other collaborations,” she says of her years working under the guidance of the late Lee McQueen. “It was hard work with many late nights and early mornings. Everything happened in the studio, so I got to learn the creative process of developing a collection, translating it from the inspiration board to sketch, and finally to production.” She was later scouted by Celine, Paco Rabanne, and Elie Saab. “At the French fashion houses, there was a different way of working – more organized, I would say. These experiences shaped my way of being creative and managing my time,” she says. Since launching her eponymous leather goods label in 2018, Szatmáry’s designs have been worn by Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden. “The woman I envision while designing is fashionable, classic, and chic. She’s looking for a signature bag with a hidden logo,” says the designer. Handcrafted in Italy from calf leather, the bags feature sharp hardware between cool silver and warm gold in symmetrical shapes and are sustainable designs that stand the test of time.
In a vintage jacket in her studio. Photographed by Elisabeth Toll
Szatmáry notes that her personal style reflects the ethos of her brand, particularly in colors and silhouettes.” I love a mix of modern and vintage, like a timeless jacket with modern pants and accessories with character,” she says. Pragmatic with an extra shot of refinement, Szatmáry’s dress sense strikes a balance between minimal and refreshing. “The Scandinavian style demands all kinds of functionality. You can find that in the strap of my bags that you can change and wear in three ways,” says the designer, dressed in a crisp Tibi shirt, pressed Arket trousers, and Lanvin sneakers. Her collection of denim and her black vintage Yves Saint blazer that she bought in Florence are a true definition of her wardrobe’s foundation. As for fall, she’s looking forward to rich chocolate tones, cool shades of gray, and silver accessories.
A collection of shoes and bags, including her collaboration with Byredo and a bamboo handle bag made from vintage jackets. Photographed by Elisabeth Toll
Geometric mood
Jewelry design was a natural step, she says. “I love designing the handbags’ hardware. I wanted to translate that into something I can wear around the clock,” she explains. Hugging her index finger is her silver Triomphe ring. She often grounds her day and night looks with the Dupleix cuff bracelet – a gold halfmoon, straight edge bracelet featuring a flicker of black resin. As for her personal collection, a 24ct gold necklace that belonged to her mother and a pair of her grandmother’s earrings – gifts on her wedding day – are sentimental pieces.
Wearing a Busnel cape, H2ofagerholt jacket and boots, Uniqlo pants, Ahlem sunglasses, and a bag of her own design. Photographed by Elisabeth Toll
Garden to table
“I enjoy cooking and gardening,” says Szatmáry. She experiments by combining ingredients from different cultures into one dish. “I like to take the best parts from each country. For example, mixing Hungarian paprika with Moroccan argan oil, Albanian olives, Italian cheese, and fresh garlic from my garden.” The designer is currently exploring making fresh pasta and homemade ice cream. “After a long day, I feel like the kitchen is still a creative place where I can express myself and just experiment with food.”
Rest assured
Szatmáry gives her day a motivational boost with self-care practices. “I always start my day with stretching and 30 minutes of yoga,” she says. She finds moments of comfort through swimming, running, or connecting with nature. “I try to exercise once a day and make a conscious effort to avoid scrolling through social media until lunch time, since it takes away so much of my attention,” she grins. Szatmáry balances a challenging workweek with relaxing weekends. “I like having a long breakfast, great naps, spending afternoons in the garden when the weather is warm, and later, a movie in bed,” she shares. To beat the winter blues, Szatmáry turns to infrared LED therapy treatments. “It’s useful in the wintertime since we have fewer sunny days in Scandinavia. I also love Centralbadet in Stockholm, where I enjoy the spa and swimming pool.” She credits positive thinking as a driving force, sharing, “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
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Originally published in the November 2021 issue of Vogue Arabia