Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life & Career Of Antilla Di Lauro

NAME: Antilla Di Lauro

AGE:  36

INSTAGRAM HANDLE:  @antilladilauro

JOB TITLE: Founder and design director

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: First moved to the UAE in 2015, where I lived until 2020, later spent several years in Riyadh and Zurich before returning to the UAE in late 2023.

Antilla Di Lauro is an Italian designer and artist working across collectible rugs, tapestries, and ceramics. Her practice lies at the intersection of art and design, where each piece unfolds as a tactile landscape of emotion, texture, and memory.

After earning a Master’s degree with honors in Sustainable Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano, she began her career with Patricia Urquiola in Milan, later joining HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates in Dubai to design luxury hospitality projects. She subsequently worked for the Crown Prince Private Affairs in Saudi Arabia, managing the interior design of royal palaces.

She later served as Design Director for Hyatt, overseeing architecture, design, and art direction for hotels across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Having first moved to the UAE in 2015, she spent several years between Dubai, Riyadh, and Zurich before returning to the Emirates in late 2023. Today, she leads her eponymous practice, creating bespoke pieces for collectors, galleries, and royal clients.

Her work is represented by Galerie Philia (USA) and Freeman Gallery (Australia), and will be showcased in November 2025 at Editions | Downtown Design Dubai.

Today Antilla shares a typical day in her life and career with us:

5:30 AM — The Quiet Start

I like to wake up early — ideally around 5:30, when everything is still quiet. It’s my favorite moment of the day, a few hours just for myself before the world starts moving. I stretch a bit, do some light yoga for around fifteen minutes, and then have breakfast on my terrace. All year round, even in summer. It’s my happy place — peaceful, silent, with a beautiful view over the golf course and birds singing in the background.I usually put on some music — I love Einaudi and Hans Zimmer — and take this time to write down a few things I’m grateful for, and to visualize how I’d like the day to unfold. It helps me focus on what really matters and bring the right energy to the day ahead.I always need something sweet for breakfast — usually fruit, granola, or an açaí bowl. I always laugh that I’m probably the only Italian who doesn’t drink coffee. I try to keep my phone away as much as possible; these quiet hours set the tone for everything that follows. The soft scent of lavender from a candle nearby makes the space feel calm and grounded — it’s a small detail, but it instantly relaxes me.

6:30 AM — Centering the Mind

After breakfast, I like to stay on the terrace a bit longer while the world is still asleep. The light is soft, and it’s the quietest moment of the day. I usually read or listen to a podcast — I’ve always been interested in personal development, and mornings are a time I can really focus without distractions.It’s a simple habit that helps me start the day with the right mindset and a sense of calm before everything else begins.

7:30 AM — Into Work Mode

I usually start working around 7:30 or 8. I love working from home — it’s one of the freedoms I really value, especially since COVID changed how we all approach work. When you have your own practice, you can shape your day exactly how you want. I get easily distracted by noise or people, so cafés or busy offices don’t work for me. I need calm and silence to think.My space has plenty of natural light and a wide view — I need to see the outside world, not walls. I don’t really have rituals like tea or candles; what matters to me is light. I work a lot with color, so it’s essential. I keep my pom box close — there are more than a thousand shades in there — and I love seeing how different tones react to light throughout the day. Recently, I’ve also started working with clay, which brought a whole new dimension to my understanding of color, texture, and materiality.When I do creative work, I like to put on music — usually from the band Cigarettes After Sex. It’s slow, atmospheric, and it puts me in the right mood to focus. My workday is divided into two blocks: first, creative work, then the more practical part. I always do the creative work first, while my mind is fresh and free from distractions. I design bespoke rugs and tapestries, and what I love most is when collectors give me complete freedom — just telling me where the piece will live, and trusting me to imagine everything else. I design directly on my laptop, experimenting with new combinations, testing ideas, creating color variations, or refining details from previous works.I collaborate closely with a few talented manufacturers and craftspeople who bring these designs to life. Even though we often work remotely, their expertise and precision make everything flow smoothly, and together we create work that feels personal and meaningful.

12:00 PM — Lunch and a Change of Pace

By lunchtime, I try to take a real break from work. I love cooking (maybe because I’m Italian), but lately things have been so busy that I rarely have the time. I use a private chef service that delivers meals tailored to my preferences — usually something tasty and healthy. I love Mediterranean food, fish, Japanese, anything Asian really, and sometimes Mexican.Most days I eat at the dining table, but I also like to get out when I can. Sometimes I’ll have lunch with a client — it’s a nice way to disconnect a bit while still keeping things meaningful.During lunch, I catch up with messages or check what’s happening in the design world. I’m not someone who spends a lot of time on Instagram, but I do like LinkedIn — mostly architecture, design, and art. I’ve spent much of my career in luxury hospitality, so I’m always curious to see how new hotel brands and design concepts are evolving.If I listen to something, it’s usually a podcast — something thought-provoking or inspiring. I like people who speak with depth and honesty; Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO is one I often come back to. It helps me switch perspective a bit before diving into the second half of the day.

2:00 PM — Focus and Structure

After lunch, I go back to my desk and shift gears. The afternoon is dedicated to the more structured side of my work — emails, client follow-ups, production updates from my manufacturing teams, and gallery communication. It’s the time to confirm colors and materials, review bespoke orders, and check progress on ongoing projects.I usually plan the week ahead every Friday so I don’t waste time deciding what to do each day. My calendar gives structure to my week and keeps me grounded. I’ve always felt divided between two sides of my personality — the creative, intuitive, emotional one and the pragmatic one that needs order — and planning helps me keep both in balance.I usually work until around five. By then, I can feel the day catching up with me — especially because I wake up early — so it’s the perfect moment to move.

5:00 PM — Movement and Reset

Around five, I head out for sports. I can’t really train alone; I need the atmosphere of a class — the music, the energy, the people. I love yoga in all its forms: Hatha, Yin, and Restorative are my favorites. I also enjoy Pilates and Barre, which help me balance strength and flexibility. Earlier this year, I completed a 50-hour meditation teacher training, which has completely changed how I handle all situations.I like trying different studios around Dubai — there’s always something new happening, and the wellness scene here is evolving in such a dynamic way. After a class, I often take a walk somewhere green, just to slow down and reconnect before heading out for the evening.

When I want to disconnect creatively, I love going to Alserkal Avenue. It’s one of my favorite places in Dubai — I enjoy visiting galleries, discovering new artists, and seeing how the region’s art scene is growing so fast. It’s exciting to witness the momentum building not only here but across the UAE and Qatar.

8:00 PM — Evenings in the City

Evenings are my time to socialize and enjoy Dubai’s energy. I love going out for dinner, discovering new restaurants, and revisiting old favorites. I’m drawn to places that are well designed — where the interiors feel curated and thoughtful. I enjoy fine dining, beautiful lighting, and good service — those details matter to me.Dubai’s dining scene is so vibrant that you can never keep up; there’s always something new opening, and I love that sense of constant discovery. The only downside is the traffic — lately it’s been wild — but it’s still worth it. Dubai is my favorite city on earth, and I feel grateful and blessed to call it home. It’s such a vibrant, forward-moving place — everything happens fast, and there’s an incredible energy in how the city keeps reinventing itself.