POWER OF THREE

Conversations with the luminaries of The AFK Collection.

- Leila Fitton

Hugs and giggles welcome the BAZAAR crew at the home of Aliya and Farouk Khan Collection, with Zena and Leila Khan radiating delight. The energy and cheeriness of the sisters immediately lift spirits, while the queen of this beautiful castle, Aliya Akbar, enters with a captivating aura of confidence. This is the reason we are here: to catch a glimpse of the lifestyle these enterprising women lead and how they relay inspiration. Aliya is of the collecting duo Aliya and Farouk Khan, who have put together The AFK Collection, the most seminal selection of Malaysian contemporary art. As doyennes of Asian art, they are both major patrons collecting and speaking globally at round tables such as the Terrace Talks of Art Dubai. Aliya is considered one of Asia’s most important female art collectors by museums like the Tate Gallery. She now engages the Pakistani contemporary art scene through collecting and supporting residencies, though Malaysia remains as her serious focus. Her passion run through her daughters; Leila is the collections and administration manager at The AFK Collection, while Zena, as curator, spends most of her time scouting masterpieces, from London’s Art Frieze to Biennale. Explaining the aesthetics of the monumental artwork, Aliya, Zena, and Leila conduct a tour of the house ending with their “personal treasures” in walk-in closets, adorned with Fendi Peekaboo bags.