Design can make the innocent bystander swoon from admiration, gasp in shock and experience the art of the subjective. Fashion, nonetheless, is one similar affair, associated with vanity for many, yet with happiness for Anne Gedeon. Her work may be fashionably critiqued as fabulous, and artistically, Anne Gedeon’s work is an equal experimentation of form, composition and color.

A world where vintage is the new ‘now’, raw is the new polished, and impression weighs much more than appearance, these disparate juxtapositions emulate her strenuous character and unbounded soul. Anne started designing pieces for her friends, soon after developing a network that amounted to a feasible market, and then set out and followed her passion by producing her full collections. Creating bespoke pieces in accessories design with Grin, Anne was always inspired by texture. She states, “I keep doing what I love doing: design. It was just in a different form. I always created my own jewelry because the variety in retail wasn’t satisfying. I started with designing pieces for friends and family, which soon developed into a network that wanted to purchase my work. Soon after, I saw myself making custom-made orders that evolved into the production of full collections.” Choosing to name her funky-chic, hand-made jewelry and accessory line, Grin, Anne’s latest venture is a promise that every statement piece will put a grin on your face. Be it a cunningly confident, sleek, edgy, or amused grin, each creation is a one of a kind piece, dubbed an art. From Nek Art (necklaces and), Ear Art (Earrings) to couture traditional Kafiya shawls.

After joining forces with her sister, also a designer, and producing a fully fledged fashion show event launching their Spring-Summer collections in the uber-chic Armani Privé at BurjKhalifa Anne also recently joined the latest UAE based institution, United Designers, a pioneering retail and fashion incubator concept born towards showcasing and supporting talent of UAE based fashion designers. She comments, “If it achieves half of what we believe it will, it will already be setting a trend in the Dubai, and also Middle Eastern, industry. Push the envelope and people inevitably will follow.”

bazaar questionnaire:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To love and to be loved – insatiably, crazily, truly.

What is your greatest fear?

Drowning in a dark ocean, alone. 

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I would have to say my selflessness, always putting people before me. In a selfish world, this could almost be viewed as a bad trait.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Laziness, superficiality, incessant discontentment.

Which living person do you most admire?

My dad.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My Atelier.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“No Rio”, “Wash your hands Jack”. 

When were you happiest?

When I used to get 10 hours of sleep.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I have the talent. I just would like to have the time to invest in that talent! 

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

My brand. It takes a lot of hard work and sleepless nights to build a brand from scratch. And my kids.

Where would you most like to live?

My Utopia ..

Somewhere with perfect weather all year round – sunny, crisp & 22 degrees, with a little breeze. Occasional cloudiness. Little rain.

Old streets with beautiful architecture… Long winding roads & cobblestone town squares scattered around everywhere…

History everywhere you turn, the walls, the streets, the buildings…A city with a rich intense culture.

Insightful, passionate polite people that are apolitical and pleasantly philosophical

Lush greenery everywhere. Parks in every neighborhood, and clean organic farms everywhere…

Solar cars, no fuel, no diesel, no trucks, no horns.

Vast green hills & valleys…a river or 2 for magnificent picnics….and superb camping.. superior level of education .. medicine.

A huge arts culture …plenty of tucked away antique and vintage shops, galleries & deliciously scented mini bakeries with older plump smiley grandmas serving you…

Sweet & neat restaurants serving fresh authentic food that provide home delivery!

I would also want to have a few modern museums /theatres that bring in the latest art shows, broadway & new age theatrical shows from all over the world.

And of course this city needs to have a raving nightlife, just in case you feel like letting your hair down, any day, anytime of year!

Its economy needs to be sustainable no matter what crisis happens…no taxes..lead by a group of highly educated selfless village folk who’s core value system revolves around goodness & peace.

All people who live in this city are pleasant to look at, well educated and have impeccable taste in everything.

I might just call it G R I N C I T Y!

(If only….sighhh….)

For more information about Anne Gedeon and Grin, please visit www.grin-design.com .