Vacheron Constantin Inspires Young Emirati Women with New Mentorship Program

Hoping to inspire a new generation of Emirati students to follow their creative dreams are Swiss watchmakers Vacheron Constantin, with the launch of the ‘One of Not Many’ mentorship program in partnership with Zayed University.

Six female mentors – Rafia Helal Bin Drai (founder and designer of regional fashion label Mauzan), Hala Al Gergawi (founder and CEO of Tea Before Noon), Latifa Al Gurg (founder and designer of fashion label Twisted Roots), Alia Al Shamsi (author and artist), Salama Al Shamsi (founder of Salama’s restaurant), and Noora Shawqi (jewelry designer and founder of Nora Shawqi) – will inspire, motivate, educate and enlighten six senior undergraduate students through a tailored program and one-on-one tuition sessions. Over a six-month period, students will gain crucial career advice and the potential to be selected for an internship with Vacheron Constantin.

“The program is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for our students to work closely with brilliant female leaders in the UAE,” says Her Excellency Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, President of Zayed University. “I’m certain that this experience will be an extraordinary one for them as they will learn directly from the source and at the end of the program, they will be more empowered to make decisions, identify goals and establish a sense of direction for their own careers and ambitions.”

Echoing the program’s support of female empowerment and bridging the worlds of Haute Couture and Haute Horologerie, is Vacheron Constantin’s latest Égérie collection – feminine timepieces that have inspired Mauzan designer and program mentor Rafia Helal Bin Drai to create an exclusive capsule of seven abaya designs. The collaboration celebrates the skilled craftsmanship and intricate attention to detail that exist in both watch and abaya.