“My passion for jewellery began when I was very young. I used to search through my mother’s drawers and try on her jewellery.”
I didn’t know what to expect when I set out to interview Noor Fares who I’m told is one of the youngest Lebanese jewellery designers of today. I found myself drawn to her rich international cultural background and her beautiful jewellery designs before meeting her in person; and to my delight I wasn’t disappointed when we finally got to chat to her at her stylish atelier in London’s trendy Kensington.
Noor’s origins and I guess her soul as well as her design inspirations derive from her parents’ homeland Lebanon. She spent her childhood and her early years living and travelling between Lebanon, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. After being educated in Paris, New York and Beirut, she took a BA in History of Art at Tufts Universtiy in Boston. Noor also completed courses in Fashion PR and Journalism at Central Saint Martins and The London College of Fashion, where she has achieved diplomas in both Jewellery Design and Diamond Grading. I began the interview by asking her about her choice of pursuing a career in jewellery design.
Hala Di-Maio: Your background is History of Art and from looking at your gorgeous designs I can’t help but feel a historical meaning behind each and every piece. Can you talk me through what got you first started and when did you discover your passion for jewellery design?
Noor Fares: My passion for jewellery began when I was very young. I used to search through my mother’s drawers and try on her jewellery. I have always known from a very young age that I wanted to do something more creative rather than anything else, I’ve always loved putting things together, drawing, painting and coming up with ideas for different things whether it’s designing objects or doing collages; this eventually developed into jewellery design and my love of stones.
HD: As a jewellery designer do you think first of the design and then you go on looking for the right stones, or do the stones dictate you the mood and the shape of your pieces?
NF: They are both equally important and they come as a package. I do wake up at night thinking of a design or an idea and I always make sure to do a sketch on a piece of paper so I don’t forget it later.
HD: It is very easy for an outsider looking in at somebody else’s creations to maybe see them in a different light, and often Designers get labelled by others into something they are not. How do you best describe your designs and your brand?
NF: My designs are contemporary but with classical inspirations. The concept behind my work derives from cultural influences and superstitions, my pieces have a lot of healing and good-luck properties, so my concept and ideas are cultural, classical and timeless and the designs are simple but also modern and contemporary.
HD: Your jewellery pieces are absolutely stunning, and I have noticed that you have created pieces for every budget and taste.
NF: There is something for everyone, I created two ranges of jewellery one which is more high-end where I use 18ct gold, diamonds and precious stones, and the other is more affordable with pieces made from silver and gold-plated. I use a wide range of materials and many designs and I am happy to say that I created a brand which is accessible for all.
HD: Do you enjoy working on the cheaper range more, considering that it has a younger feel to it and is maybe less demanding that the concept of designing the high-end jewellery range?
NF: I don’t have any preference really; I enjoy working on both. I pay attention to the quality and finish on each and every design regardless of their market value. I wouldn’t put a sample into production unless it’s perfect.
HD: Your are very young and talented and you are relatively new on the jewellery design scene, yet you have managed to create and to achieve a brand special to you and in a way with its own distinctive feel to it. What are your aspirations for the future and where to do you see yourself going with your jewellery line?
NF: For the future I am looking to obviously expand as a brand in the UK, the rest of Europe as well as the US; I also design headbands which I am aiming to concentrate on developing into a new line dedicated to stylish jewellery for hair, and headpieces; this line would be more fun, easy to wear and also more affordable.
N.oor jewellery can be purchased from Harrods in London and also from N.oor 177a Brompton Road Tel: 020 73702527
