@HMHDubai H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum Wins the First HMH Celebrity Award

The first HMH Celebrity Award from HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings was bestowed on H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, founder and director of FN Designs. Receiving the award on her behalf was her brother H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum.

Presenting the trophy, Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings, said: "We are truly proud to have H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum as the first HMH Celebrity for her noteworthy contribution to promoting art in the Middle East and making it accessible to all by creating a more design-centric social community within Dubai through innovative and collaborative events".

He stressed, "HMH Celebrity is all about celebrating women. It is an award for strong willed women who go about ordinary lives in extraordinary ways. It is an attempt to recognize lives that may have taken many dizzying turns and yet succeeded in being first in their fields. We want it to be the most prestigious award for women who beat the odds to achieve excellence and became role models for others. And H.H. Sheikha Wafa is among the most distinguished and deserving to be our first honoree and ambassador to lead this cause."

Accepting the trophy, H.H. Sheikha Wafa, said, "It is both an honour and a massive responsibility.I am truly delighted and grateful to HMH for having chosen me as the first recipient of this wonderful award. There are many women out there who are playing an extraordinary role in the UAE society be it in the field of art, literature, culture, sports, environment, healthcare, human welfare or public life and deserve to be applauded. And I hope we can find some of them through this initiative for others to be inspired from."

Life and the art are intertwined for H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum who sparkles with intelligence, wit and passion. Recipient of many  prestigious awards including 'Patrons of the Arts Award' by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, her fascination for art is evident from her buoyant energy.

Holding a degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Design, H.H. Sheikha Wafa has boldly followed her heart's desires over the years and stayed true to her creative vocation. And so was conceived the idea of FN Designs in November 2008 that became a reality six months later and is now home to a bevy of young artists. It is the simple things that inspire her as an artist and photographer. With a keen sense of visual and narrative, she effortlessly works with a variety of new media blending elements of realism with abstract minimalism and surrealism.

Henceforth, every month under the Kind Patronage of H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, HMH will honour one special woman. End of the year, out of the 12 winners, one will be presented with the HMH Celebrity of the Year Award at a gala ceremony. The selection process is extremely simple. The nominees can be of any nationality but should be based in the UAE. They should have done something exemplary to inspire others. No individual can be nominated two years in a row neither is it open to HMH employees. The winners will be chosen by a special committee of judges headed by H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, two prominent journalists, two experts from the same field as the nominee and two top executives from HMH.