Creative Director & Founder Vera Edith Dieckmann established XO Atelier in December 2018, to fulfill the breadth of her creative potential in the field of design. A graduate Engineer, she specialized in architecture, going on to gain over 25 years experience across all areas of Interior Design. 

Working for renowned practices including David Ling in New York, Gunther Spitzley in Zurich, Matteo Thun Studio in Milan and DWP Malaysia, Vera also honed her skills at Global Hospitality chains Marriott Holdings and Accor, broadening her knowledge of custom product design: light installations, furniture, textiles and accessories. 

Driven by her innate desire to discover a unique path, Vera launched her own studio to offer clients the support and dedicated services they need. 

Her official debut as a product designer was born from a successful collaboration with lighting brand Lasvit and firmly established Vera as a native talent in the field. The handmade glass installation entitled FLOW, launched at Downtown Design in Dubai, inspired a new strand of creativity for her studio. Today, her product development collaborations include installations for Preciosa, lighting with Nemo and a modular workspace solution with TecnoSpa. The installations and artworks are now being represented by Galerie Philia in New York and Singapore. 

Based in Hong Kong, XO Atelier opened a second studio in Dubai in 2020, launching their practice with the phenomenally successful Toplum project, a cafe and restaurant in Dubai that was nominated for 11 awards across multiple platforms with one win: Best Global Restaurant from the International Hotel & Property Award by Design et al. 

This will followed by Greens, a healthy fast food concept that reimagined the future of fast-dining in Riyadh; the innovative Doka Bakery & Cafe also in Riyadh and the slick, sophisticated VNU Asia Pacific Headquarters in Bangkok. 

With her projects gaining accolades from both clients and industry, Vera Dieckman has become one of the most recognised and unique talents in the GCC region. In just one year she was featured in multiple magazine editorials including the TOP 50 Designers in the Middle East in Commercial Interior Design magazine and the ID 50 Power List for Identity magazine.

On a winning formula of style and substance, XO Atelier launched a new Cafe & Restaurant, The Grey, in January 2021. The concept proved so successful that the cafe is now one of Dubai’s most sought-after venues, and has prompted a surge in requests for the studio’s services. 

As the team and the reputation of the studio grows, its philosophy remains value-driven from the inside out: benefiting a healthy internal working environment, a happy diverse team and a burgeoning list of satisfied clients.  

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' I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares '

( Saul Bass 1920 -1996 )