About

Zahra is a London based Designer of Algerian, Scottish and Polish heritage working in Opera, Theatre and Film. With a diverse skill set she creates worlds steeped in detail, remaining true to the source whilst using installations and texture as a narrative at the heart of the story. Zahra makes sure each production has its own unique presence in every space she approaches.  

 

Before training at Central Saint Martins in Theatre Design for performance she was a Competitive Ballroom and Latin dancer, designing made to measure dresses for private clients whilst also working summers at Dance Sport International known for their work on Strictly Come Dancing.

 

After graduating she worked for leading dance couture house Chrisanne Clover liaising with clients in America, Japan and all over Europe. Leaving the dance industry she set about pursuing a career in production design assisting at various venues including The Rose Theatre and Iford Opera Festival for designer Mark Friend. But it would be her position as in house designer at Fourth Monkey Theatre School that would ground her experience.

 

Over 10 years of collaboration with established and emerging directors she designed 75 shows some of which transferred and toured the UK. This huge undertaking of managing departments, interacting with large companies of training performers whilst producing multiple shows with fast turnovers at such a young age was a unique experience that refined and expanded her practice.

 

Since then Zahra’s work has been nominated by Off West End, she has had two transfers to the Trafalgar studio 2 and has worked in Opera Houses in Europe. She has associated in costume for designer Leslie Travers and Loren Elstein and has also collaborated with notable companies in theatre and film such as ENO, Opera North, Greek National Opera, WNO, Apple TV, Amazon and Sky kids.