L’ÉCOLE Middle East announces the winner and finalists for the ADMAF Jewelry Design Award Edition V, embarking on an immersive journey in Jewelry Arts
Celebrating the fifth anniversary for shaping the future Jewelry Designers in the UAE
L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) proudly announce the winner and finalists for the ADMAF Jewelry Design Award, Edition V – 2025. The three emergent jewelry designers will embark on an immersive journey in jewelry arts with L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, empowering these promising jewelry designers based in the UAE with unique opportunities for professional growth.
This year, the following participants were recognized for their outstanding creativity and innovation in jewelry design: Sara Al-Ali, an Emirati jewelry designer, was named the winner for her project “Mureyyah Abaya Clip.” The runner-ups for the Award were Pegah Toutak for her project “The Echo of Love and the Melodies of the Oud,” and Aftab Arab for his project “The Dance of Venus.”
Established in 2019, the ADMAF Jewelry Design Award aims to empower emergent jewelry designers with knowledge, know-how, mentorship, and exposure in the field of jewelry arts. These designers will begin their learning journey at L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts’ campus in Dubai through a carefully curated program that integrates art history, gemology, and savoir-faire in jewelry arts. The program is designed to nurture both technical mastery and creative exploration in each participant.
The winning designer will also be granted a prize of AED 50,000 to substantiate her design into a jewelry creation, and the unique opportunity to travel to Paris from September 1 to 5, at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts’ France & Europe campus, located at the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, to deepen her knowledge, with courses and fascinating visits to museums focused on the jewelry arts. Furthermore, she will have the opportunity to showcase her winning jewelry creation at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2026, and the L’ÉCOLE Festival 2026, where these prestigious platforms will provide her with significant exposure to present her work to a global and public audience.
Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts said: “We are proud to celebrate the fifth year of the ADMAF Jewelry Design Award, which stands as a testament to our mission of inspiring the enthusiasm and creativity in the jewelry world, and to give deserved recognition to outstanding jewelry artists. We had the highest number of entries for the Award this year, many demonstrating an exceptional level of innovation and originality in jewelry design from across the country. I would like to congratulate this year’s winner and finalists all of whom demonstrated a profound link between the UAE’s history and jewelry traditions including the use of traditional materials such as gold and pearls, while showing talent and creativity in their designs; I would also like to thank all the other designers whose work has honored this competition. It is inspiring to see so many talented jewelry designers in the UAE creating a strong link between the UAE’s local heritage and culture, and with this year being the UAE Year of Community, it is our aim to continue to build a sustainable and meaningful community of future jewelry designers and celebrate the brilliance they bring to the world of jewelry arts.”
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Since its establishment in 2019 – in partnership with L’ÉCOLE Middle East School of Jewelry Arts, and with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, the Jewelry Design Award seeks to empower cultural industries and support emerging jewelry designers from the United Arab Emirates on their journey towards artistic excellence and professional development.” H.E. added: “I congratulate young designer Sara Al-Ali, who won the award for her work, ‘Mureyyah Abaya Clip,’ which embodies pride in the UAE’s rich heritage and highlights its cultural identity. I also congratulate the two runners-up, Pegah Toutak, for her project, ‘The Echo of Love and the Melodies of the Oud,’ and Aftab Arab, for his project, ‘The Dance of Venus.’ This winning award provides comprehensive training and professional opportunities for a week at L’ÉCOLE’s campus in Paris, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels – one of the most prestigious jewelry design brands, and the potential it offers to develop the skills of Emirati designers to create globally leading brands.”
Through these exceptional local and international experiences, L’ÉCOLE Middle East continues to foster a space where education, culture, and creativity intersect, empowering the next generation of designers and strengthening the future of the jewelry arts in the UAE and the region. By offering these designers unique educational experiences and the chance to engage with renowned experts in the field, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts reinforces its role as a key cultural and community partner in the Middle East.
