"The spade is black,
but the card is colourful.
We're trying to revolutionise the abaya."
— Lamya Abedin · Founder · per Khaleej Times
The premise
For two decades the abaya was framed as one thing: black, full-length, uniform. Queen of Spades was founded in 2008 to break through that — to reimagine the silhouette in red, blue and grey; in jumpsuit, high-low, belted, pocketed and reversible cuts.
The result is an abaya that keeps its grace and dissent — a black canvas with colour breaking through. The line has since expanded into eveningwear, bridal, and a children's edit called Baby Spades.
"If abayas are meant to be completely black, then you will see me doing the opposite."
Self-taught Emirati designer, mother of three, former government research officer.
Founded Queen of Spades in 2008 after a search for a one-of-a-kind abaya turned into a brand. Inspirations drawn from Japanese kimono and Malaysian batik.
Public record — attributed, dated. No invented ratings or follower counts; the house's story has been told by other people, on the record.
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/* ───────────────────────────────────────── Contact band (home) ─────────── */
function ContactBand({ navigate, openEnquiry }) {
return (
§ 06 / Visit
Every woman, a queen.
The atelier is open by appointment at Dubai Design District. For bridal and made-to-order, book a private consultation — we'll meet you with fabrics in hand.
Atelier
Dubai Design District (d3) Building 06, 1st floor, B102
);
}
function CollectionsHub({ navigate }) {
return (
Four worlds, one signature.>}
num="§ 02 · Lookbook 2025"
lede="Each line shares the same starting point — a black canvas, and a refusal to leave it there. Choose a world; the atelier will meet you there."
/>
);
}
function BridalFunnel({ openEnquiry }) {
return (
§ Bridal · Three steps
The bride, in colour.
Made-to-order, by private consultation. Three steps from inspiration to fitting — every gown personal, every detail named.
{[
{ n: "I", t: "Inspiration", d: "Begin in the bridal lookbook. Save the silhouettes, fabrics, palette and details that move you." },
{ n: "II", t: "Private Consultation", d: "Meet the atelier at d3. We bring fabrics in hand, sketch on the spot. Lead time confirmed at the meeting." },
{ n: "III", t: "Your Appointment", d: "Fittings, finishings, and the final piece — delivered by appointment in time for your day." },
].map((s, i) => (
{s.n}
{s.t}
{s.d}
Step {i + 1} of 3
))}
);
}
function DesignerPage({ navigate, openEnquiry }) {
return (
Lamya Abedin.>}
num="§ 04 · Founder"
lede="Self-taught Emirati designer. Mother of three. Former government research officer. Founded Queen of Spades in 2008 — out of a search for a one-of-a-kind abaya that turned into a fifteen-year house."
/>
The Story
"If abayas are meant to be completely black, then you will see me doing the opposite."
A business and accounting background, a former role as a government research officer, and three children later — Lamya Abedin started Queen of Spades because she couldn't find an abaya that looked the way she felt.
The brand name nods to the playing card. The spade is black; the card itself is colourful. The abaya, she argued, could work the same way: black canvas, colour breaking through. Red. Blue. Grey. New silhouettes — jumpsuit, high-low, belted, pocketed, reversible.
Her design references travel further than the GCC — Japanese kimono construction, Malaysian batik printwork, European tailoring. Lived experience across Europe, Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UAE shows up in the cuts.
The house has since expanded into eveningwear, bridal, and a children's line called Baby Spades — and remains designer-led from a small atelier at Dubai Design District.
§ A short timeline
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}
function RecognitionPage({ navigate }) {
return (
As told elsewhere.>}
num="§ 05 · Press"
lede="A short archive of public-record recognition — every claim attributed and dated. Rights-sensitive imagery is held back until written clearance is confirmed."
/>
{RECOGNITION.map((r, i) => (
{r.label}{r.date}
{r.title}
{r.gated && (
⚑ Imagery rights-gated
Published only with written clearance
)}
{!r.gated && (
A dated, public reference confirming part of the house's record. We list this here in attribution form, not as marketing claim — the citation is the headline, not the boast.
No invented ratings. No follower counts. No celebrity images without clearance.
);
}
function ContactPage({ navigate, openEnquiry }) {
return (
Visit the atelier.>}
num="§ 06 · d3"
lede="The atelier is open by appointment at Dubai Design District (d3). For bridal and made-to-order, we recommend booking a private consultation in advance."
/>
25.18° N · 55.30° E D3 · BLDG 06 · B102
Archive image — 2014–2019Map · pin TBC
Address
Dubai Design District (d3)
Building 06, 1st floor, B102
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UNIT · CLIENT TO CONFIRM