“Fahad and I come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but we share a common language. We both draw inspiration from culture, craftsmanship, art and history, not as references to be preserved, but as material from which to imagine new narratives. In that sense, we are both storytellers: we use design to translate memories, emotions and cultural influences into contemporary forms.”
Designer
MEHDI DAKHLI
Mehdi Dakhli is a French designer and contemporary art curator who divides his time between Venice, London and Paris.
Working at the crossroads of art, design and cultural storytelling, his practice explores the dialogue between heritage and contemporary creation. Through objects and spaces of singular beauty, Dakhli brings together traditions, materials and craftsmanship to question complex cultural narratives, particularly those of North Africa, West Asia and their historical ties with Europe.
Originally trained in business law and political science, Dakhli developed an approach to art and design shaped by his fascination with cultural movements, heritage and the stories that objects and spaces reveal. Today, his multidisciplinary practice spans design, curatorial projects and creative collaborations with artists, collectors, institutions and brands.
At the heart of his design practice lies a fascination with memory, identity and the way objects can carry stories across cultures and generations. Rather than simply referencing tradition, he reinterprets it, creating a dialogue between ancestral techniques, contemporary forms and the artisans who bring each piece to life.
His collaborations with leading creative figures, including Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré, have helped shape his approach to design and deepen his exploration of architecture, materiality and craftsmanship.
Guided by a keen eye for detail and a passion for contemporary art, Mehdi Dakhli continues to develop a practice that bridges disciplines and geographies, building connections between past and present, local heritage and global conversations.
