Welcome - I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m Franki, a photographer based in Dubai.
And for the past decade, my work has given me the chance to meet so many incredible women - founders, stylists, photographers, educators, writers, designers and freelancers, many of them building something of their own.
And while Dubai is full of networking events and business communities, I’ve often found myself craving something a little different. That’s where The Creative Arc began.
Each month, I’ll be sharing words on the women who inspire us, books the community have enjoyed, & spaces we’ve been working from or hope to visit.
I’d also love to bring this community together in person & currently exploring the idea of a gathering after summer, the chance to connect with fellow creatives and founders in a beautiful setting.
More on that soon.
For now, thank you for being here from the beginning!
With love from Dubai,
Inspired by Her is where we’ll be featuring the women we have met, photographed or admired from afar; women whose work, story or approach we find interesting & thoughtful.
This month we’re opening with a theme that feels particularly relevant: slowing down. Life can often feel busy, noisy and full of urgency, we’re thinking about what it means to be more present and intentional in the way we live and work.
With that in mind, we’d love to introduce you to Katy Marie Leech, the founder of Ivy & Silk.
Over the years, we’ve watched Ivy & Silk evolve into a brand that feels both thoughtful and beautifully understated. Katy’s work has a softness to it, and every arrangement she creates feels as though it has naturally fallen into place. More than creating beautiful florals, she creates atmosphere & brings a sense of calm, warmth and presence into the spaces we live in.
In many ways, her work is a reminder that the things which have the greatest impact don’t always need to demand our attention. Sometimes it’s the quieter details that shape how a space feels and how we experience it.
In a world that often feels rushed, Katy’s work invites us to slow down and notice those details.
A moment with Katy…
I find creativity happens when we allow space for it, what do your moments of downtime look like that allow new ideas to come to you?
Absolutely. For me; creativity doesn’t respond to any form or pressure. It needs space, trust + surrender. When I step back, the ideas always find their way in.
Ideas tend to arrive in the quieter moments, never when I’m chasing them. They surface when I’m driving, exercising, or when I’m away on holiday + fully out of routine, alone with my thoughts. Often they’ll pop up on my morning walk and I’ll make notes in my phone. I would say that this kind of headspace is integral in allowing creativity to flow.
Building a business can often feel quite solitary. What helps you feel connected when you’ve been spending time working on your own?
Though I value solitude at times, I also find it important to connect with friends + other creatives throughout the working week.
Something simple like a walk or coffee with a friend helps ground me before the working day begins. I also really enjoy connecting with other creatives in the industry; whether that’s interior designers, photographers, or artists - to connect, collab or explore ideas together.
I feel blessed as well that my day-to-day work naturally surrounds me with such incredibly talented people, which keeps me feeling creatively and personally connected.
As Ivy & Silk looks to have evolved so thoughtfully, can you share one decision you’ve made that’s helped shape the business in to what it is today?
The most defining decisions I’ve made has been to stay rooted in my own vision + not be influenced by pressure to scale quickly. I’ve chosen to grow slowly + intentionally, focusing on refinement rather than quick expansion.
I’ve also been super protective of the business in the sense that I haven’t handed over too much too soon. That’s allowed me to maintain full creative direction + quality control, ensuring every detail reflects the standard I want Ivy + Silk to be known for.
For me, it’s always been about quality over quantity, + safeguarding the essence of the brand as it continues to evolve.
Somewhere to work from, somewhere to get creative and somewhere we’re looking forward to visiting next. Think of it as a collection of recommendations shared between friends.
☕ Working from:
For many of us, sometimes working from home is often the easier option. But every now and then a change of scenery can be exactly what's needed. Nette continues to be one of our favourite spots. Set in lush Al Barari, the vibe feels calm & the food is consistently good - a perfect spot for meetings, quiet admin days or a slow breakfast as the day begins.
We spent an afternoon working from Kave in Alserkal, and it was a dream - such a lovely atmosphere. The communal workbench makes it easy to settle in for a few hours and there’s plenty to discover while you’re there; Kave is filled with pre-loved gems and unique pieces from small businesses - definitely worth a visit!
📸 Creating : Rooms Studio, DPC
Whether you're planning a content day or refreshing your brand imagery, Rooms Studio remains one of Dubai's most versatile studio spaces.
From the Concrete and Paris Room to the Cyclone and Vintage spaces, each room offers something completely different. The Concrete Room remains a personal favourite for its simplicity and versatility and the team behind the studio are some of the most helpful & accommodating people we’ve worked with.
If creating new content has been sitting on your list for a while, maybe this is your sign to book!
✨Recharge : Swell Club, Al Quoz
This month, the new wellness club Swell is firmly on our radar. With its retro-inspired aesthetic and laid-back atmosphere, it feels more Palm Springs than Al Quoz. While we haven't made it there just yet, the infrared sauna is already on the list for July.
If you've discovered somewhere that's helped you recharge recently, we'd love to hear about it.
In this highlight we’ll be sharing someone who is using their platform to share something we think you’ll find valuable - whether that’s through their creative work, thoughtful insights or a unique perspective.
This month’s Community Muse is Holly Elgeti - a former celebrity stylist and now a mum of two, Holly shares refreshingly practical style advice for women navigating the season of motherhood. Her content is full of wearable outfit ideas, wardrobe tips and gentle reminders that style doesn’t have to feel complicated.
What we love most about Holly, is her approach to helping women feel like themselves again. Whether you’re heading to a client meeting, the school run or somewhere in between, Holly’s videos are packed with realistic inspiration for building a wardrobe that works for real life.
If you’re not already following along, her page is well worth saving. 🤍
Some of the best recommendations have come from conversations between friends, which is exactly what I’d love this corner of the newsletter to become over time. So alongside the books I’m currently reading, we’ll also be sharing recommendations from the community. If there’s a book you’ve loved recently, we’d love to hear about it!
☕️ For your morning coffee : Start With Yourself by Emma Grede
I’m almost finished this one… currently switching between the book & the audio version - I find myself reaching for it whenever I have a spare minute. Emma’s podcast, Aspire, is always on my playlist & her book is even more candid; sharing her honest take on what it really takes to build something extraordinary. A great read to inspire you in what’s really possible, if you’d only get out of your way!
☀️ For your beach bag : The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
After a friend passing me this a while ago, I finally got round to reading it. Yes, I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I have to include it as, wow it was intense! It’s of those can’t-put-down thrillers. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s the perfect escape read.