Meet the creative forces who have come together on a passion project based on design and creativity

One is the founder of C’est ici Design, a Dubai-based studio known for its refined minimalism and narrative-driven interiors. The other is a fashion entrepreneur and tastemaker whose eclectic eye has shaped everything from jewellery to ready-to-wear. Together, Monica Arango and Dana Malhas have created INVERTI, an eight-piece capsule furniture collection for C’est ici Design, blending the worlds of interiors and fashion.

Given that both come from creative backgrounds, the decision to collaborate on this collection seemed natural. “Dana and I had an instant connection and symmetry to create something unique,” Arango recalls. After meeting on a project to design Dana’s villa, the two realized their connection could be more than just a friendship. Malhas adds: “We first worked together five years ago on my home, and through that process, we realized how closely aligned our design sensibilities were. Our ideas, tastes, and instincts naturally complemented each other, and there was an unspoken understanding between us.”

That understanding became INVERTI, a collection of luxury interior pieces, focusing on adaptability and purpose-driven design. From travertine and oak to lacquered finishes and couture-inspired textiles, the collection translates Monica and Dana’s shared philosophy.  “Eventually, we decided to start this as a passion project, with no deadlines, no budgets, and no client constraints,” Malhas explains. “Just two creatives coming together to design something that merges both our worlds: fashion and interiors.” Arango adds: “This moment felt right because both of us were ready to step beyond our usual disciplines and explore something slower, more tactile, and deeply intentional. INVERTI came at a time when we both wanted to create with meaning, not speed.”

The collection is based on the idea of inversion as a philosophy of perspective and transformation. “For me, inversion is perspective,” Arango says. “It’s about rethinking how objects function, how spaces are lived in, and challenging the expected without losing clarity.” Malhas approaches it based on her own experiences. “I’ve always been drawn to versatility, whether it’s in clothing, jewelry, or objects I live with every day. For me, inversion is about creating pieces that can transform.”

This spirit materialises in eight sculptural designs, each reversible, each capable of shifting character depending on mood or setting. From the Olivia Bench to the Florencia Console and Catalina Side Table, the pieces balance travertine and oak with lacquered finishes and couture-inspired textiles. A palette of deep blues, warm oranges, moody reds and bold black creates a sense of movement and depth, evoking both drama and restraint.

Arango's background in interior design informed the collection’s architectural sensibility. “Interior architecture is about space, proportion, and permanence. My role was grounding the pieces, ensuring they live well within interiors and age with time.” Her studio’s focus on detail and material layering gives the designs their enduring quality. “INVERTI sits precisely at the intersection of structure and softness, where architecture meets tailoring.”

Malhas, meanwhile, brings a fashion perspective to the pieces. “I was thinking about contrast, mixing materials, shapes, and proportions,” she says. “In many ways, the process felt like dressing a furniture piece.” The result is a dialogue between calm minimalism and bold expression. “You can really see both of our personalities reflected in every piece,” she notes. “There’s a balance between calm minimalism and bold, statement design.”

Reversibility is another key product feature that enhances the objects' transformability and versatility. “Our lives are layered and ever changing,” Arango explains. “Reversibility allows objects to shift moods, functions, and identities, mirroring how modern living demands flexibility without compromise.” Malhas echoes this sentiment in practical terms. “Today, people value smart investments, pieces they can live with for a long time and reinvent rather than replace. Each piece comes with variations, so whether you’re moving homes or simply craving a change, you can alter a small element and instantly create a completely different mood.”

Beyond aesthetics, INVERTI is also a portrait of two women leading creative businesses in a region undergoing rapid transformation. For Arango, experience has sharpened both intuition and discipline. “Our experiences have made us intuitive yet disciplined. We design with empathy, resilience, and a deep understanding of balance, between ambition and sensitivity, creativity and structure.” Malhas frames the project as an act of artistic freedom. “There were no limitations or expectations, just a very honest and intuitive design process.”

Their mutual respect is evident. “I learned to allow softness to lead, to trust intuition beyond structure,” Arango reflects. “True collaboration is about intention and mainly listening, not merging, allowing contrast to elevate the outcome.” Malhas describes the partnership as rare. “It’s refreshing to collaborate without egos, to simply create freely, openly, and without limits.”

At home, their personal tastes reveal further nuances. Arango gravitates toward calm, material-driven spaces shaped by natural stone and wood, interiors that unfold over time. Malhas embraces change. “My personal style changes often. My home really reflects who I am and how I’m feeling at a certain moment.” The white canvas they created together allows that evolution without disruption.

As the regional design landscape grows in confidence, both women see opportunity. “The region is experiencing a powerful creative shift,” Arango says. “Brands are no longer looking outward for validation; they are defining their own narratives.” Malhas agrees. “There is so much talent and so many strong regional voices emerging. The market has become more open and receptive to discovering and investing in new, distinctive designs.”