I was delighted to be invited to attend a reception at the Canadian Consulate here in New York City, honoring the Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis. In the spirit of the occasion I wore Mughal-inspired StyleEsteem couture creations - a headpiece with handmade heirloom fabrics and a matching handmade Indian brooch.

My first visit to the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto was days before I received my breast cancer diagnosis in 2018. I remember being awestruck by the curated presentation of artifacts that communicated just how pluralistic Islamic art is.

Many of the pieces captured the contributions of different cultures and religions to result in something remarkable and historic. And through diagnosis and now entrepreneurship, this idea, that many things - whether they be life experiences, the people we meet, or the versions of ourselves that we discover - can come together to create a beautiful tapestry, always stuck with me. Along with, of course, the influence of the incredible textiles I saw that embodied the culture, materials and artistry of their time.

That is why it was so enlightening to hear from Dr. Al-Khamis about the Aga Khan Museum’s vision - to use art to unlock alternative narratives that bring communities together, in Canada and beyond. Art has the power to reconnect people with their humanity, dignity and identity through enlightenment and education. Naturally, we spoke about how art has the power to impact conversations around important issues as well - like health. And while I can’t reveal too much more at this time, you’ll have to stay tuned to learn what comes next when I visit the Aga Khan Museum and continue our dialogue this summer.