Hana Hakim
Melbourne-based The Stella Collective director, Hana Hakim, creates world-class distinctive and refined interiors with a rebellious edge – her creative journey has been one filled with sheer determination, hard work and self-belief.
Photography: Lillie Thompson, Derek Swalwell & Jessie Prince
‘The truth is, being forced way out of your comfort zone can lead to the most inspirational and proudest project moments,’ says Hana Hakim. Photo: Lillie Thompson
MA Financial, Sydney by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
The Artedomus showroom in Brisbane, designed by The Stella Collective. Photo: Derek Swalwell
The Artedomus showroom in Brisbane, designed by The Stella Collective. Photo: Derek Swalwell
H&F: Hi Hana, what led you here and how has your journey evolved?
Hana: I grew up in London, where I felt there was no freedom, no open space and too long winters. From an early age, I felt that I was in the wrong place, I just knew I was supposed to be somewhere else. I was absolutely abominable at school and was asked to leave at age 7 because I had such sever dyslexia, which at the time was undiagnosed. I was told I’d never amount to anything of value. At 7, I could barely read or spell (in fact some would say I still can’t!) It took me a while to see the light but what seemed like fear and failure was always pointing to success.
I realise now, in many ways, dyslexia has shaped who I am and what I’ve done with my life. I used my visual imagination and intuition to crack down the wall and let the light in and allow myself to think differently. These lessons early on severed a great purpose for me, it pushed me to grow, to go above and beyond in my pursuit and find another way that was completely unconventional to excel in my career path. It’s also given me a lot of grit. It has taken me a long time, but now I really value what I used to see as the shadow side of myself.
For me, my life started when I moved to Australia when I was 21, 22 years ago. I arrived in Melbourne with not much more than a thousand dollars with me. I had always wanted to come here, I felt there was a huge calling and I knew I had something powerful to give. I worked two jobs and finished off my second degree here (not in interior design) and woke up one morning and thought I want to do interior design – with no experience or a degree. I was qualified in graphic design, fine art and illustration so interiors to me felt like the natural progression, but the problem would be getting a job with no interior design qualifications. I had a list and I called every architectural practice known to man in Melbourne after many rejections and flat no’s! I finally got my first break.
I had tailored my portfolio to show how I could help architects with their presentations of their designs, it was a trade-off. I would make them look amazing to their clients and have the opportunity to work alongside architects and absorb as much as I could. Back then, interior design was not really a known profession in Australia – there was no soul in interior design practices. The work would be very dry, with no real creativity and led by men handing you scribbles on trace paper for you to document.
During this time I absorbed everything, I was relentless, I was always coming home at 2am, doing everything it took to master my craft. What would take someone an hour, would take me a day but I was absolutely determined – to me it didn’t matter how you got there, as long you got there! To this day – I still have the list of architectural firms up on my bookshelf by the front door so when I leave for work I remind myself how far I have come. It gives me the strength to overcome obstacles in the day that sometimes seem unfathomable. My first big hit was a project I worked on my own, it actually was an office for my bosses’ college and friend. It was the first time I was really able to put into practice what design meant to me.
I knew back then that design should be used to uplift people. To elevate their spirit, to tingle their senses. An office was where you spend most of you time so this should reflect care and a positive feeling for people to do their best work to show that they are valued. At the time these ideals in a workplace where not really talked about or seen as necessary.
It won a few prestige design awards and this gave me to confidence that I belonged and I had something to give. After many years of working with some wonderful design firms and partnerships, I branched out on my own. I had an unstoppable desire to create environments that made people feel good.
Very fortunately, a few weeks into starting The Stella Collective, I got a random email asking if I had designed the Slattery office (the one that had won the award) and they asked me to design a lift lobby. This turned into designing their entire office in Sydney, and then their entire building.
When you start your own practice, you have to grab your knees and cannonball into uncertainty. You have to be the boss, risk-taker, peacekeeper, make the hard decisions and make miracles happen –sometimes all at once in your lunch break! I can only do all this by following my truth, ethics and instincts. Those are the breaks with running your own practice and I absolutely love what I do.
You may ask why would you put yourself through that? The truth is, being forced way out of your comfort zone can lead to the most inspirational and proudest project moments.
Do you have a disciplined studio routine and any rituals to help keep you focused?
My morning starts super disciplined with a 6am gym workout with my husband, making sure I get the blood pumping as I have the tendency to be super-glued to my chair once I start the day. The first thing I do once I get to work is check in with my amazing team to see what they might need or any issues that need urgent attention. Then it’s straight into pouring in the love and attention to our projects. I do love a good ritual – one that sticks at work is listening to beautiful music. I really find this transports me to my core creative focus. If I’m really in the thick of a deadline I turn my phone to do not disturb, as I hate not answering people!
As a designer, what’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way?
It’s all good and well saying, ‘get out of your comfort zone’, but it can be a harsh world out there. But it’s called a comfort zone for a good reason – it can be horrible! But that’s when the real tenacity sets in and when you break through that and reach the next level. That’s something I really make sure I do, because it’s the leveling up keeps me expanding.
I love the saying ‘little by little, creates a lot’ – one ongoing comfort zone challenge I have always struggled with is charging for my worth. This is an ongoing comfort zone battle for me. Even after winning over 20 global design awards, best restaurant design and being named in the top 100 designers in the world, I still struggle and feel like I can’t charge my worth. This is something I’m always working to be stronger in. My advice here is don’t ever let anyone let you feel small.
Martha Beach House by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
Paloma Paloma, in Queensland, by The Stella Collective. Photo: Jessie Prince
Martha Beach House by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
MA Financial, Sydney by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
“When you start your own practice, you have to grab your knees and cannonball into uncertainty. You have to be the boss, risk-taker, peacekeeper, make the hard decisions and make miracles happen... sometimes all at once during your lunch break!”
‘I think about the flow and volume and natural lighting in a space – you can create an impactful design with just a few elements.’ Pictured: Martha Beach House by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
Lancemore Hotel Milawa by The Stella Collective. Photo: Lillie Thompson
What drives your creativity?
Travel. My dad had been a huge influence on travel for me. He immigrated from Aleppo, Syria when he was 20 years old to France and then later to England. His enthusiasm for the world and culture inspired me to see there was real beauty out there, especially in Syria - the gift of him giving me a beautiful heritage has also been instrumental to my work.
What is it about interiors you’re so drawn to?
One of my sayings is - beauty is for everyone, always no matter what your position in life. The confidence and happiness people feel being somewhere beautiful, is so important. This comes in many ways, shapes and forms– it means that design should be used to help elevate people’s everyday lives.
For you, what’s the most important design element within a space?
Believe it or not, it’s not always about the big budget or the most glamorous place, you can find the most discerning, beautiful environments amidst chaos. You can cultivate a beautiful environment from really simple things – some of my biggest inspirations are created in cultures and countries that are much less fortunate – beautiful villages in Africa, intricate Mosques and of course their tiles in the Middle East, and the resourcefulness of creation in South East Asia.
What shapes, forms and materials are you most drawn to in your work?
I’m a big fan of simplicity – so our finishes are never over complicated, although I’m a huge fan of designers that use more vivid finishes as well, I feel my soul is most comfortable in clean lines, mammoth proportions, texture and soothing finishes.
What's a good piece of advice you’ve been given or would give someone starting a career in interiors?
Learn to draft and document. It’s not always easy picking up these technical programs… I wanted to die! BUT, I thank my lucky stars that I persisted with learning them. I guarantee if you’re doing amazing designs, your drafties are gonna start running for the hills and it will be up to you to sit there until 2am to make it happen!
What are you looking forward to most this year?
We’re so excited about working with some truly inspiring clients this year – I have so much admiration for them as people and their businesses so I’m over the moon we are working with them. I’m not a shout-from-the-roof-top kind of girl, but when the work is done we will share the love, I promise! For me personally I’m just grateful to have chill time with my husband and black and white tuxedo cat. To love. happiness and health.