A family of design lovers, from Casablanca to Dubai
We've been honored to form friendships with the fascinating people behind them. Our partners are uncompromising about the quality and sustainability of materials, never sacrificing creativity, beauty, or function.
Once upon a time in Morocco
It all began with two Moroccan sisters born into a family of design lovers, with fashion designers and painters as relatives. Family gatherings were always occasions to talk over each other about music, film, food, and art — in other words, celebrations of the creative and unconventional. Aïda and Mimi were still kids when their mother started importing homeware brands to Morocco. In 2017, she opened Clay in Casablanca, and the whole family got sucked in.
A dream that travelled the world
They never thought they’d open Clay in a different country, and like all the best things, it happened by fate. Friends encouraged them to open in the UAE, although they’d never set foot there. It sounded tempting but surreal. Then Mimi moved to Dubai, and couldn’t find the mix of classic and contemporary design that defined their style.
It all happened in a flash
Fast forward to 2021: Aïda was visiting Dubai when she stumbled upon a piano school that was relocating. A few weeks later, they signed the lease, and what was meant to be a one-week trip became a three-month journey to set up a business on another continent.
Thanks to our amazing team
Setting up in Dubai started surprisingly smoothly, then came the tougher moments. After months of knocking two stores into one, and an almost obsessive hunt for the perfect concrete floor, Clay Dubai opened its doors during Dubai Design Week in November 2022. None of it would have been possible without the all-women team who took a leap of faith and joined them on this crazy ride.
