Tiffany & Co. Announces Design Residency For Aspiring Local Talent

Tiffany & Co. has just unveiled its flagship Design Residency Programme, under the chairmanship of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, created in partnership with the Design Commission Abu Dhabi.

Running every Saturday at an exclusive site for six months from November 2026 to April 2027, the course is accepting applicants from now until September 20. There are 10 spots up for grabs for UAE-based talent with an elementary understanding of jewellery and watch design, and a portfolio that reflects this. The residency is specially designed with bespoke sessions that effortlessly integrate the Maison’s longstanding history of design excellence with artistic Emirati heritage and cultural traditions.

Successful candidates will be encouraged to explore their creative competencies through innovation and research with designs, materials and ventures outside their comfort zones. The foundation will remain ingrained in technical horological and high jewellery expertise.

The programme will culminate with a capstone exhibition of the participants’ handiwork in May next Spring, with the three top performers being offered a three-month long summer internship at Tiffany & Co.’s New York City headquarters.

With a focus on the aesthetic disciplines of haute jewellery and watchmaking, the programme is the latest in a series of initiatives from the UAE to lend elegance and style to the region’s soul by establishing routes for development with internationally acclaimed labels. This is in line with the Design Commission’s vision to nurture a vibrant design community that honours cultural heritage and prepares the next generation of pioneers and emerging designers.

It ensures a place for the capital city on an international map for creative talent while building a local ecosystem of artisans, craftsmen and elegant innovators who can shape contemporary fashion with their own panache. Expect a refined and chic future for the nation, one step closer with Tiffany & Co.’s immersive education, mentorship and workshops.