In this interview with The Capitalyst, Alina Mehrle discusses her artistic upbringing, the cultural shift from Russian maximalism to American essentialism, co-founding Asthetique with Julien Albertini, her design philosophy of subtraction and joy, surviving cancer, discarding old design rules, and how she balances studio work, travel, and rhythm.
Australian designer Kym Ellery reflects on her transition from internationally acclaimed fashion to collectible design, discussing sculptural lighting, craftsmanship, rarity, and the emotional power of objects. In this conversation with The Capitalyst, she explores how architecture, engineering, and artistic intuition converge to create timeless pieces that transform the way people experience space.
Victoria Aboucaya, Director of JD Malat Gallery in Dubai, shares how gallery work blends relationship-building, strategic planning and a commitment to artists’ long-term careers. From advising collectors to staging international shows, she explains how Dubai’s diverse market, digital discovery and a new generation of collectors are reshaping galleries while preserving the irreplaceable power of the physical viewing experience.
Moroccan mountaineer Nawal Sfendla left a communications career behind in 2019 to chase an unproven dream. In 2026, she summited both Everest and Lhotse back to back, calling the feat less a personal triumph than a message to a new generation of Moroccans: your starting point never has to define your destination, and being first is always worth the risk.
Dr. Amin Jaffer reflects on a life shaped by movement, cultural crossing, and a lifelong search for belonging. In this conversation, the curator and art historian discusses how his diasporic upbringing informed his early interest in hybridity, material exchange, and objects that move between worlds. He also revisits landmark exhibitions, private collections, and the India Pavilion at Venice, revealing how biography and curatorial practice remain deeply intertwined.
Roshanak Tehrani reflects on two decades of practice, tracing how her studio in Tehran evolved from shaping space to shaping lived experience. In this conversation, she discusses belonging, cultural memory, sustainability, luxury, and the entrepreneurial realities of sustaining a design practice in Iran while staying true to an authentic architectural vision.