About Khaled El Mays
Khaled El Mays is a multidisciplinary Lebanese designer based in Beirut, where he runs Atelier Khaled El Mays. His work spans furniture, lighting, textiles and objects, but he is best known for richly patterned, hand-woven rattan and cane pieces made in collaboration with local Lebanese craftsmen who have practiced the technique for generations.
El Mays draws on an eclectic, almost psychedelic visual imagination – unexpected color combinations, playful silhouettes and dense ornamentation – while grounding every piece in traditional handwork. His collections have been shown internationally, including with celebrated design galleries, positioning Lebanese craft firmly within the contemporary collectible-design conversation.
Why Khaled El Mays Matters
By partnering with veteran rattan and cane weavers, El Mays gives a fading Lebanese craft a fresh, commercially viable future. His work shows that heritage techniques can be daring and modern, keeping artisans employed while carrying their skill onto international stages.