“I get inspired by beautiful objects that have a story to tell and send several messages at the same time,” says Sharan, clearly a man with a few stories to tell himself. “The ByKal style is striking, daring and outrageous. What I love the most about my items is that they get the attention of anyone walking into a room.” Think hot red and denim with the Pretty Woman lounger, Michael Jackson’s Bad-era image on the King of Pop armchair, and veiled royalty on Queen Yazz – a leather and black suede seat with clear Swarovski crystal studs.
“My ultimate aim is to open a series of boutique ByKal hotels that combine bespoke interiors with personalised world class service. After all, my passion for design is just a part of my passion for hospitality,” explains Sharan, before outlining his planned steps to get there. “Next year I would like to take my designs to more cities around the region, and am looking for partners or agents in Cairo, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Beirut. Then in five year’s time I would like to have my designs represented in major cities around the world,” he continues. “I have lived in several places myself and hope that soon enough my designs will be available in Toronto, Miami, London, Geneva and, of course, New York.”
In the meantime, are there any famous faces he would like to adorn furniture with, but is not allowed to? “I would love to design a piece about Her Majesty Queen Rania,” he reveals. “But I’m not sure how to get the permission for it.” We have a feeling even royalty won’t turn down a compliment like that.
WHO ByKal
WHAT A Jordanian boutique line of Pop-infused furniture
CREATOR Khalid Sharan, the Kal of ByKal
WHY Unique pieces with a unique style, ByKal fuses Pop Art imagery, eccentric materials and traditional shapes to create an arresting style.
www.designedbykal.com
