If you are part of Dubai’s creative scene, you have probably heard of Lea Hadidian. And even if you are not, you have likely come across her anyway. Her Instagram showcases a life filled with fashion, travel, and aesthetics. But in reality, this Lebanese girl is hustling from early morning until late at night with her laptop and tripod in tow, usually working on something exciting in a cozy coffee shop. We were so intrigued by her story that we reached out for an interview. Here it is — Lea’s journey from growing up in Beirut to her spontaneous decision to move to Dubai and create a new life here.

— Lea, hello! There is not much out there about you, so get ready for some questions! You are from Lebanon, right? When did you move to Dubai?

— Hi! Yes, I am from Beirut, born and raised. My parents are both Lebanese-Armenian. My ancestors fled the Armenian genocide, first to Syria, then eventually settled in Lebanon. Fast forward to me at 22, I came to Dubai for a short visit, and wow! talk! about! a! life-changing trip! I remember landing here and thinking, "How have I been missing out on all of this?!" Dubai felt like something straight out of Star Wars, a whole new world full of energy and life. Honestly, the situation in Lebanon was pretty tough at the time, and I just knew I needed a change. So, I did an impulsive act — called my dad and told him, “I'm coming to Beirut for two days to pack my stuff and jump right in!”

— What was your first job in Dubai? 

— When I moved to Dubai, I knew from the start that I wanted to work as a freelancer. I had already been running my online business, Little Khanout (Khanout meaning "shop" in Armenian) in Beirut, and the entrepreneurial spirit truly inspired me. So, from day one, I committed to freelancing in social media, which I found both challenging and entertaining. Documenting moments like Christmas dinners, friends' gatherings, and birthdays has always been something I enjoyed. 

My first client as a freelancer was Papillon, a "dinner + show destination," which, unfortunately, has since closed. I truly enjoyed managing content there, as the ambience was so lovely — great music, food, and energy. The place was owned by Layla Kardan, a Dubai-based singer known for her unique blend of jazz, soul, Middle Eastern influences, and poetic movements.

— How was the shift from Beirut to Dubai?

— Surviving my first year as a freelancer in Dubai? Let’s just say it wasn’t a walk in the park. It was a rollercoaster ride. Unstable, uncertain, and scary at times. But I always believed in my eye for detail. I knew that once clients trusted my work, the rest would follow. Slowly but surely, things started to pick up. I was saying "yes" to everything, running on sleepless nights and caffeine-fueled mornings. From morning shifts to noon gigs to evening nightlife coverage, I was everywhere! And when I wasn't everywhere, I made sure to put myself everywhere! 

— And what did you do before moving to Dubai?

— I walked my first fashion show for Roni Helou at the Jamalouki Fashion Show when I was just 18 years old. From there, photographers began discovering me on social media, and I had the chance to collaborate with some incredible Lebanese talents. Photographers, designers, makeup, stylists… We were a small but vibrant community, and we loved coming together to create magic.

I also got my first magazine features in M Le Magazine Du Monde, Aishti Magazine, and Plastik Magazine, which made/still makes my heart happy!

But it wasn’t all just modelling. During covid, I couldn’t bear the thought of wasting two years in isolation, so I spent hours at my dad's jewelry atelier, working on my jewelry collection. It became my "pandemic passion project" and definitely kept me sane during those long months!

— What do you like about Dubai?

— Just like anywhere else in the world, Dubai has its ups and downs, but the pros really stand out. The city’s constantly buzzing with activity. The mix of cultures and traditions, with people from all over the world. The opportunities are endless, offering people so many ways to grow and succeed. The. Food. Scene. Is. A dream. You can find any dish you are craving! On top of all that, the cleanliness and comfort make it a place that is hard to beat. 

— You have been living here for about three years now, right? In 2020, which was a tough year for everyone and disastrous for the Lebanese people, you were in Beirut. Where were you when the explosion happened?

— I was actually at the exact location of the explosion, just 30 minutes before it happened. My friend suggested, “Let’s have lunch somewhere around here in ‘Gemmayzeh’.” But I told them, “Why don’t we go to my place? My mom cooked for us.” So, we headed home for lunch.

After we finished eating, I walked into the living room and suddenly felt the building tremble. I looked at my brother, and before either of us could say anything, the entire building took another stronger tremble. The windows — I can’t even describe it properly — It was unreal.

I ran to the balcony, from there, you can see all of Beirut. The entire city had turned grey. Fortunately, our building wasn’t damaged, but my dad’s jewelry shop was destroyed. My mom’s flower shop also got hit, and many of my friends' places were badly affected. It was just unbelievable. So much devastation, so fast. 

— And your parents are still there, right? Have they thought about leaving, too?

— Yes, they are still living there. It is not easy for them to start a new chapter abroad; they can’t just leave everything behind. They have their business, family, friends, and so many memories there. I have encouraged them, saying, “You can still do it,” but it is tough to walk away from a lifetime of connections. Still, they are happy I made the move, and I am grateful they are safe.

— What do they do?

— My mom is the definition of get-up-and-go energy. She is not only the most hardworking woman I know, but she is also constantly curious and driven to learn more, grow, and improve. She owns “Flower Concept,” a beautiful flower shop in Jal El Dib, Lebanon, where she creates breathtaking floral arrangements for weddings and engagements. What makes her truly inspiring is how she is always finding new ways to bring creativity into her work — whether it is learning new techniques or drawing inspiration from the world around her. She is never content to just settle, and that drive has always motivated me. Her independence and passion have built something truly special.

My dad, on the other hand, is a jeweler — continuing our family’s legacy with “Gerard Hadidian & Son Jewelry” in Bourj Hammoud. It is a family business that means a lot to us. But he is also an incredible artist. Whenever he has time, he heads to his studio, plays some great music, and just lets his creativity flow. I truly believe he is one of the most talented painters out there. You can see his work on Instagram: @Vikianartist.

— And how would you describe where you are at right now, work-wise?

— Honestly, the work is pretty intense. My day starts with me grabbing my phone the moment I wake up, and it is pretty much non-stop from there. The last thing I do at night? Check my phone again until I eventually fall asleep. I love the digital world, and while it is exciting, it can also feel a lot toxic. Sometimes, I catch myself forgetting how to interact with people in real life because I am so wrapped up in my phone and my own thoughts.

I am working on launching my own jewelry line before Christmas, hopefully when the situation in Lebanon tones down a little, as I feel numb at the moment. I am going for silver with diamonds. I have always been into chunky rings; it has been a part of my look for over 12 years now. I can’t even leave the house without them! All my rings are handmade inspired by the sea and nature. 

— You love Dubai, but you are still here on your own, juggling a lot of work. I often hear from friends living in Dubai that they feel lonely. Could you elaborate on that? How do you feel about it?

— It definitely gets lonely at times. In Dubai, it feels like everyone is in survival mode — busy, tired, and always on the move. Small, meaningful gestures just aren’t as common here. Something simple like a morning walk with a friend is rare because so many people are in and out of the country, and the slower, more relaxed moments are hard to come by.

What I miss most are the small, everyday interactions — especially with the elderly. In Beirut, I used to love sitting in little cafés with them, hearing their life stories and experiences. That sense of community and those quiet, simple moments are something I don’t get as much here. It is not easy to find that slower pace of life in a city that is always rushing forward.

— So, how did the story with your own jewelry brand begin? And what stage is it at now?

— I have always had a passion for jewelry. I did "IB arts" in school, and one day, my art instructor suggested I try something different since I was already painting and sculpting. I figured, why not give jewelry a shot?

I went to my dad’s atelier, and he handed me a block of candle wax and said, “Here’s this block — don’t come near me, just have fun and figure it out.” So, I did. I started sculpting, and the first piece I made was surprisingly interesting. I enjoyed the process so much that my teacher encouraged me to make more. During COVID, with all the free time, I ended up creating an entire collection. Everyone around me pushed me to take it seriously, so I went ahead and produced the collection.

Honestly, I have been held back for personal reasons as to why I haven’t launched yet. I have a bit of OCD, and I want everything to be perfect. The logo, the branding, the name — everything has to be just right. I studied graphic design, so I pay detailed attention to everything. I have changed the name and logo at least nine times because I keep thinking I can make it better. But at this point, I think I just need to start and let it evolve from there.

— So, is the name finally set? 

— Laleiabylea on Instagram! 28 followers — it is a #ifyouknowyouknow kind of followers list.

— I have already gathered that your motto is to go with the flow, and you don’t limit yourself to one field. But can you imagine where you’ll be in 10 years? What do you think you’ll be doing?

— Absolutely, I am all about going with the flow! Just last December, I was chilling in some random coffee shop when, out of nowhere, I got a call saying, "We saw your work backstage at Dubai Fashion Week, and we want to fly you to India to cover a fashion show." The next day, I found myself in India! That is just me...

Two weeks ago, I was supposed to be in Milan. The Roberto Cavalli global team saw my backstage content coverage at Dubai Fashion Week and gave me the golden ticket to shoot backstage at their show during Milan Fashion Week... but my visa had other plans!

So, where will I be in 10 years? Life’s just full of surprises, and I am here for it. 

From me to me every day, and from me to you today: Be go-getters. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who feed your soul, and who push you to dream big. 

Adopt the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. You always need to be out there. In today’s world of social media, staying silent isn’t an advantage. Make sure your presence is felt!