This opening will mark the collective’s UK debut.
FAME Collective, the exhibition platform and social enterprise championing female creatives from the Middle East and North Africa, is opening a showroom in Belgravia this month. The space will welcome visitors from 13 to 31 October by appointment only, marking a confident UK debut for a platform that puts regional voices on an international stage.
Founded by mother-daughter duo Lara and Christiana Jabara, FAME stands for Female Artists of the Middle East and was created to celebrate women whose work reflects the richness and complexity of the region. The London outpost brings these perspectives under one roof, bridging East and West while offering a thoughtful curation that encourages discovery and dialogue.
The showroom will present a cross-section of disciplines, from collectable design and sculpture to jewellery and fine art. Confirmed names include Lebanese designer Nada Debs, Iranian jewellery designer Banafsheh Hemmati, whose pieces draw on Islamic art, sculptor Neda Salmanpour, and multidisciplinary artist Karimah Hassan, who has Welsh, Yemeni and Bangladeshi heritage. The line-up reflects FAME’s ethos of platforming authentic stories and broadening the narrative around Arab women in the arts.
Beyond the showcase, FAME positions itself as a community builder. Its mission centres on increasing gender equality in the regional arts ecosystem, supporting creatives with opportunities that expand both visibility and market access. By curating in London, the collective invites new audiences to engage with work that challenges preconceptions and rewards close looking.
Speaking about the decision to open in the capital, co-founder Lara Jabara said: “The city serves as a global hub for culture, fashion and creativity. London is home to a cosmopolitan audience that is highly receptive to new voices, emerging talent and cross-cultural exchange. For too long, I watched the East look to the West for inspiration, especially in the realms of art and fashion, and I always wondered why.”
The Belgravia showroom signals a new chapter for FAME Collective, with plans to deepen its UK presence while continuing to champion artists from across the MENA region. Viewings are by appointment only.
GO: Visit https://famecollective.com for more information.