The Open Crate is a digital art platform launched by Amina Debbiche, a Tunisian art specialist and Nora Mansour, originally from Lebanon who previously worked with leading art and design entities like Art Basel and Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery.

In this episode the two co-founders share how The Open Crate grew from a printed catalog into a private, global platform that secures provenance, organizes collections, and opens access to context, education and insight on the art market in the MENASA region without compromising privacy. We explore themes of trust and resistance, the importance of heritage preservation through documentation, motherhood and entrepreneurship, fashion’s overlap with art, and The Open Crate's roadmap to future-proof archives.

A few topics covered in this episode are:

• Founder backgrounds from finance to cataloging
• Why Dubai and the region needed digital structure
• Turning point with a major Iranian collector Mohamed Afkhami
• Privacy, trust, and resistance to online archives
• Traits that win clients and sustain growth
• Complementary roles and building while parenting
• Art, fashion, design, and lifestyle as one ecosystem
• Vision for Open Crate Lab and AI provenance
• Training the next generation of art specialists
• Routines that protect focus, energy, and creativity

If you'd like to learn more follow The Open Crate on Instagram and as always, if you enjoyed this conversation, please share it, leave a review, and stay tuned for more curated voices from across art, fashion, and culture on The Curation Podcast hosted by Nour Hassan.

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In this episode Nour takes you behind the veil of the glamorous life of a content creator, from weekly invites to VIP events, to opportunities that are diverse and varied, so does one choose what to show up for? Nour dives deep into the art of saying "no" as a strategy for alignment, credibility, and brand longevity. We share why selective choices build trust, how to decline without guilt, and a real example of Nour walking away from a nostalgic invite to protect the vision.

• saying no to create space for aligned work
• how declines shape brand edges and perception
• audience trust versus short-term cash and clout
• simple scripts to say no without burning bridges
• self-trust and the power of selective presence
• a personal example of turning down a past partner
• scarcity, credibility, and showing up with meaning

Make sure to follow @TheCurationPodcast on Instagram, @NourHassan, and @PilatesbyNour to stay tuned on all of the content that is available, as well as The Curation Podcast on all podcasting platforms and @the.curation on TikTok.

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Nour Hassan shares her journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia to building The Curation, a platform celebrating art, fashion, design, and culture across the Middle East and beyond.

• Born in Jeddah to an Egyptian family with Saudi roots, attending the British International School that shaped her worldview
• Credits her international school experience for teaching critical thinking and instilling values of unity, diversity, and acceptance
• Early creative passions included art, magazines, and creating collages that foreshadowed her future career
• Chose to attend university in Egypt rather than London to reconnect with her Egyptian heritage
• Studied architecture before switching to mass communication, with additional education at UCLA
• Founded "Radical Contemporary" in 2018 to highlight young regional creatives, later rebranding to "The Curation"
• Built a career as a stylist, creative director, producer, and writer featured in Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Vogue, and Forbes
• Values being niche rather than mass market: "I am for those who get it, for the intellectuals and the girls who want to be smart"
• Believes we're in "the era of curation" where personally selecting what defines you is essential
• Morning wellness habits include waking up early once weekly and delaying coffee intake
• Despite her social professional persona, values alone time for reading, thinking, and strategizing

Make sure to follow @theCurationPodcast on Instagram, @NourHassan and @PilatesbyNour to stay updated on all available content, as well as The Curation podcast on all podcasting platforms and @The.Curation on TikTok.

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Ready for a seasonal transformation? Just as the leaves begin their magnificent shift, your habits can experience a beautiful reset too. After finally embracing a true summer break—eating whatever I wanted and skipping workouts without guilt—I'm now craving structure again. It's that delicious contradiction of human nature: we need both freedom and framework to thrive.

This episode walks you through my seven-step F/W reset plan that guarantees you'll enter the New Year feeling physically refreshed and mentally prepared. From rediscovering movement that truly brings you joy (hint: consistency trumps intensity) to the remarkable benefits of morning journaling using Julia Cameron's "Morning Pages" technique, each strategy builds upon the next.

Follow @thecurationpodcast on Instagram and @the.curation on TikTkok for more x

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What does it take to document a cultural renaissance? Rebecca Anne Proctor never planned to become a journalist, yet her natural curiosity and love for writing led her to the forefront of Middle Eastern art and cultural reporting during its most transformative period.

Growing up between America and Italy with an artist mother and writer father, Rebecca's global perspective was shaped early. After completing studies in art history and Middle Eastern Islamic studies, a weekend trip to Beirut sparked a love affair with the region that turned a planned two-year stay into a 17-year immersion. Her timing couldn't have been more fortuitous – arriving just as major museums were opening, Christie's was establishing its Dubai presence, and regional art publications were emerging.

From her first unpaid article for Business of Fashion to becoming Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar Art Arabia and Harper's Bazaar Interiors Arabia, Rebecca's journey reflects the region's own cultural evolution. She witnessed firsthand the establishment of the Mathaf Museum of Modern Arab Art, the reopening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia, and the dramatic shifts in how art and culture are supported across the Gulf.

The conversation takes a particularly fascinating turn when Rebecca discusses co-authoring "Art in Saudi Arabia: A New Creative Economy" – the first comprehensive book about contemporary Saudi art during the kingdom's social transformation. She reveals the delicate balance required to present Saudi artists on their own terms while addressing Western concerns about art-washing and freedom of expression. "I was feeling frustrated because I thought reviews weren't really giving Saudi artists and creatives a real chance to speak and be visible on their own terms," she explains.

Rebecca's career advice, born from her background as a trained ballerina, resonates beyond journalism: persist through challenges, maintain self-care practices, and remain open to unexpected opportunities. Now dividing her time between Rome and Dubai, her story exemplifies how building bridges between cultures can create something truly extraordinary. What cultural shifts are you witnessing that deserve deeper storytelling?

Follow @rebeccaanneproctor on Instagram for more.

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We've stopped being original, and it's time to get our uniqueness back. This episode explores how to break free from the clone culture that's making everyone look the same and reclaim your authentic personal style.

• The problem of "copy-paste" culture where everyone wears identical fashion items and adopts the same aesthetic
• How constant social media exposure erodes our ability to form independent style opinions
• The importance of carefully curating who you follow on social media platforms
• Using saved folders instead of following accounts to maintain your independent perspective
• Spending time shopping alone to discover what you genuinely like without outside influence
• Cultivating fearlessness and being unapologetic about your personal style choices
• Why originality will ultimately become your edge in a world of sameness

Don't forget to follow @TheCurationPodcast and stay tuned for all of our future episodes, as well as at @NourHassan and at @PilatesbyNour, for all of my content.

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What does it mean to create spaces where people truly live, not just exist?
Eng. Mohamed Edris, the visionary behind Mabany Edris, shares how his journey from construction engineer to pioneering developer has transformed Egypt’s landscapes—from Sheikh Zayed to Ras El Hekma.

Driven by the joy of turning empty desert into thriving communities, Edris builds with purpose: medical facilities, logistics hubs, and residential compounds designed around real needs, not fleeting trends. His landmark projects include ASAYLA, the first compound in the renowned Asyut area of Southern Egypt—launched during the pandemic—and KOUN in Ras El Hekma, a bold embodiment of the “be your natural self” concept that’s redefining the North Coast experience. At the heart of his work lies a commitment to credibility: completing projects before starting new ones.

Through bold moves and deep community insight, Edris proves that real estate is not just about bricks and cement—it’s about building human experiences.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full interview on The Curation Podcast or Mabany Edris's page, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

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Ready to transform your life but feeling overwhelmed by endless social obligations and digital distractions? This episode reveals the counterintuitive secrets to genuine personal growth that nobody talks about.

The most powerful life upgrades often come from what you subtract, not what you add. Discover why "leaving early" has become my personal mantra and how the LIFO method (Last In, First Out) has revolutionized my approach to professional events. You'll learn why protecting your social battery isn't selfish—it's essential for creating the mental space needed for meaningful work and personal development.

In this solo episode, I share the counterintuitive strategies that helped me truly level up—starting with why subtraction, not addition, leads to growth.

From leaving events early (my “LIFO” method) to curating a digital space that serves your vision—not your social circle—you’ll learn how to protect your energy, master deep work, and say “no” without guilt.

We’ll talk boundaries, phone-free rituals, finding movement you love, and clearing out anything—or anyone—that drains you. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, focus, and personal power… this episode is for you.

Follow @thecurationpodcast for more!

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