Winners delighted by success at ‘Nation of Gold’ jewelry design competition in Jeddah
Designers were encouraged to base their work on poetic verses and literature in celebration of the “Year of Arab Poetry 2023”
Models strutted across the runway to showcase the jewelry designed by the participants
Updated 28 January 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: The fourth annual jewelry design competition at the “Nation of Gold” exhibition has announced its winners in Jeddah.
Boasting the theme “Poems from My Country,” the judges picked the winners in both professional and amateur categories after more than 100 entrants took part.
Models strutted across the runway to showcase the jewelry designed by the participants.
Designers were encouraged to base their work on poetic verses and literature in celebration of the “Year of Arab Poetry 2023.”
Raja Moumina, the director of the Future Institute of Higher Education and Training, established the awards to encourage excellence and creativity among emerging Saudis and non-Saudis designing jewelry.
She told Arab News: “For those looking to break into the industry, the awards present an opportunity (for participants) to showcase their work in front of a panel of experienced jewelry specialists.
“Through offering interactive mentoring and communication with leading jewelry designers, the … awards provide aspiring individuals with the professional development needed to turn their hobbies into careers.”
Jeddah-based Saudi jewelry designer Dr. Haneen Ahmed Khoja was the winner in the professional category, and said: “I was extremely proud to participate in the competition and this was the first time my work had been inspired by an Arabic poem, which I thought was an excellent idea.”
Winner of the amateur category in 2022 was Sara Abu Radi, who said: “I started as an artist but my passion for designing led me to create my own work and here I am now working and doing what I like to do.”
Local ZUMI thermos bottle has heritage-inspired design
References Zamzam and Hajar’s search for water
Helps to tell Kingdom’s story, says firm Teeb Made
Updated 5 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
ZUMI, a thermos bottle unveiled this month by Saudi Arabia brand Teeb Made, has a design referencing local memory, ritual and place, according to its producers.
“We believe meaningful design can influence how people live, feel, and connect,” said Abeer Alessa, CEO of The Bold Group and co-founder of Teeb Made.
“ZUMI draws from our heritage yet speaks to a global audience seeking intention and authenticity in the objects they choose.”
Developed under The Bold Group, ZUMI reflects a growing movement within Saudi Arabia’s creative sector to translate cultural narratives into tangible products.
Rather than following global design trends, the team focused on grounding the product in a story that resonates locally while remaining accessible internationally.
Above, the team behind Zumi.
The name ZUMI is inspired by Hajar’s call, “Zummi, zummi,” meaning “gather, gather,” during her search for water for her son Ismail between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
That moment led to the emergence of Zamzam water, a source revered for centuries and deeply embedded in Islamic and Saudi identity. For the creators, this origin story became the philosophical core of the product.
“Culture starts with a story,” Alessa explained. “With Teeb Made, we wanted to tell our story not only through communication, but through a product you can touch, live with, and keep close to you.”
Visually, ZUMI draws inspiration from the dorag, the historical vessel used by the Zamazmah men of Makkah to serve Zamzam water to pilgrims for more than 1,400 years.
Traditionally utilitarian, the dorag carried spiritual weight through its purpose rather than ornamentation. Teeb Made reinterpreted this form into a minimal, contemporary silhouette suited for modern lifestyles.
“We wanted ZUMI to be a vessel of meaning, not just water,” said Mohamad Baalbaki, executive creative director of The Bold Group and co-founder of Teeb Made.
“Its form, its patented base, and its simplicity all serve one purpose: to create something that feels familiar, timeless, and deeply personal.”
“We believe meaningful design can influence how people live, feel, and connect,” said Abeer Alessa, CEO of The Bold Group and co-founder of Teeb Made. (Supplied)
The design process was extensive. Translating a historical silhouette into a thermos bottle required more than 18 months of research and development.
The final product received a patented design certification from the Saudi Ministry of Culture, marking a milestone in original Saudi intellectual property within product design.
One of ZUMI’s most talked-about features is that it does not stand upright. This decision was entirely intentional.
“We wanted people to carry it, not leave it on a table,” Baalbaki said. “It’s a statement piece, but more importantly, it’s a personal object that invites interaction and conversation.”
Color selection further reinforces the connection to place. The launch collection features hues inspired by Saudi landscapes, including tin (mud), forest, and matar (rain), reflecting the Kingdom’s environmental diversity and grounding the product visually in its origins.
“ZUMI is a product with a Saudi story that is scalable and built to last,” said Souad Merheb, general manager of Teeb Made. “Our vision is to create intellectual property that can live long, grow as a brand, and carry these stories to new generations without losing their meaning.”
“Teeb Made is, at its core, a product design company,” Merheb added. “Our expertise lies in design and creativity, and ZUMI is a reflection of that focus, a piece of IP developed with intention, patience, and depth.”
“There are many rich and insightful stories in Saudi Arabia that remain untapped,” Alessa said. “With ZUMI, this is just the beginning.”
Beyond the product itself, ZUMI aligns with broader national efforts to elevate Saudi culture through the creative economy.
Teeb Made has engaged with several government entities and cultural platforms that recognize the value of culturally rooted products in shaping global perceptions of the Kingdom.
“Today, every Saudi has a role in telling our story to the world,” Alessa said. “For us, it is an honor to contribute to that narrative through design.”
ZUMI also signals the beginning of a wider design ecosystem under Teeb Made, with future editions and complementary accessories already in development.
According to the team, this is only the first chapter in a larger effort to revive untapped cultural stories through modern design.
ZUMI is available at www.zumibottle.com and on Instagram @zumibottle.
