Luca Dal Molin - Founder After spending more than thirty years in aviation, Luca decided to retrain as a bespoke furniture maker at The Chippendale International School of Furniture. "Despite they are two complete different professional fields", Luca explains, "they both require precision and accuracy yet with a very practical approach" "I use traditional techniques, combining hand tools with modern technology with the intent to deliver very accurate and consistent results" Bespoke creations have nothing to do with going to a store where you can buy ready made furniture. Understanding an idea and fitting it to an existing space requires a close collaboration with the customer, to deliver something unique that will last for generations to come.

Aziza Abdallah - Workshop Manager After nearly 10 years of working in engineering consultancies, first as a traffic engineer then as a transport planner and data analyst, Aziza decided to quit her job and started learning something that she has been passionate about for a long time which was woodworking. She is an avid DIY enthusiast and has always enjoyed crafts involving natural materials from a young age including: sewing, pottery and rug-making. But nothing matches the satisfaction of creating a piece of furniture from scratch or flipping an old one into something new. She picked up her DIY skills from her father, who was quite handy around the house and taught her the basics of drilling, sawing and painting. Aziza’s professional background gives her an analytical and data-driven approach to problem-solving which is valuable in managing a business and teams as well as designing and developing new products. While there is a slight increase in women entering professions within the STEM and digital sectors, woodworking still has a long way to go especially in the Middle East. “It is very common for women to be discouraged or afraid of taking up woodworking or carpentry in our culture. It can appear as a challenging or even dangerous profession and since women aren’t commonly seen in the shop, some might feel intimidated about exploring this avenue of work.” Aziza explains. Having said that, she is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where women can try something non-traditional, build something tangible with their hands and experience the immense satisfaction of woodworking.

Fatih “Nidanin” - Workshop Supervisor and Tutor Fatih is a Dubai- based woodworker, self-taught artist, and designer who discovered that working and creating something with wood and resin was his salvation and passion after an unfortunate and unexpected health incident in 2016 when he literally had to quit his long-term corporate job in marketing and computer programming. Some might be familiar with the healing power of woodworking; he is a real proof of this theory. With each project, he repeatedly experiences that making and creating pieces using wood has the power to heal, inspire, enhance, and provoke. Since that period, he has been working full-time as a professional maker, designer, and woodworker in various projects, tailored or general workshops, and private events under the name of Nidanin. He has expanded his knowledge and skills with different projects which were commissioned or exhibited in different parts of the world, besides highly valuable collaborations with local and international artists and makers through the years. In fact, his wood passion was a family tradition that he inherited from his father and uncles. He started working with wood making tables and furniture from his childhood, his first big project was their log cabin as a summer house in his hometown which he completed with his father when he was seventeen. The tradition has been going on with his son. His hobby has become his full-time job combining traditional woodwork techniques with contemporary designs since 2016. He is skilled in several mediums, such as resin and corals, besides various hardwood, and art forms which include sculptures, feature walls, wall arts, and some functional objects (like custom-design lamps) and custom design, bespoke furniture created and designed to make the 'every day' a little more esthetic and artistic. While he expertly guides workshop participants through the making process with an eye for details, he believes that “Each wooden piece has its own adventure while being processed from scratch with patience, full concentration and creativity, so each step deserves to be watched just like a documentary.”

Joel Fernandez - the Safety and Operations Assistant. Joel's passion for woodworking craftsmanship is matched only by his dedication to safety and quality. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Joel has mastered the art of woodworking through various prestigious roles. His 10-year tenure as a Carpenter in fine furniture and interior projects, coupled with 5 years as a Machining Team Leader, showcases his multifaceted expertise. Joel's proficiency in ISO standard operating procedures, door and cabinet work, and his ability to work under pressure, make him an invaluable asset to our team. A self-motivated and flexible team player, Joel's hardworking nature and excellent interpersonal skills ensure the smooth operation of our workshop. His good arithmetic skills, customer service acumen, and effective communication abilities reflect the high standards that The Makers Society is committed to upholding. Join us in welcoming Joel, a man whose dedication to quality, innovation, and safety helps The Makers Society provide an unmatched woodworking experience. His expertise will undoubtedly inspire and guide our members as they embark on their creative journeys.

Richard Walker - Tutor Richard Walker studied gilding at the University of Portsmouth. Gilding for twenty years and has been teaching for fifteen He has developed a global reputation with top artists, framers, furniture designers, interior designers and museums where he is renowned for creating new and interesting ways of gilding surfaces in traditional and modern methods. He teaches at many renowned places of learning, including West Deans College of Arts and Conservation and the Chippendale International School of Furniture. Privately he has taught hundreds of individuals how to incorporate gilding into their works, through consultation, practice and direct tuition.