Lebanon’s Noor Fares inspired by lucky charms
Noor Fares
December 12, 2009 – N.oor is the first jewellery collection from young Lebanese designer Noor Fares, and takes its inspiration from universal lucky charms.
The ‘Touche du Bois’ range (touch wood for luck) combines silky black ebony and gleaming jet, with diamonds and black diamonds, tsavorites, coloured sapphires, tourmalines and silver gilt or solid gold beads in a collection of sculptural rings, rosary necklaces, bead bracelets and dramatic cuffs.
‘Windows of Love’ features a figurative motif taken from ancient Byzantine window designs, linked in long sautoirs of silver gilded with 18ct rose gold.
The range also includes bracelets, earrings and headbands.
The ‘Happiness’ collection motif is inspired by the Chinese symbol of good luck and happiness.
The motif is linked into 18ct yellow gold and black gold rhodium plated chain necklaces, bracelets and pendants, and is sometimes pavéd with diamonds, black diamonds and rubies.
This collection also has a stunning headband, which can include a central pavé motif.
A selection of pieces are identified on the inside by a small secret protective eye – the Eastern symbol of good luck – in yellow gold with a miniature blue sapphire iris.
Noor Fares meticulously selects her stones and materials to reflect the attention to detail and finish she instils into her creations.
N.oor will be available in Harrods from January 2010.
Stockists in Los Angeles include Beckley , Switch and H. Lorenzo
Noor Fares
Noor has had an extraordinarily international upbringing, living and travelling between Lebanon, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
Noor, who has always had a passion for jewellery as an expression of art, finds her ideals perfectly voiced by the architect Frank Gehry.
After being educated in Paris, New York, and Beirut, Noor took a BA in History of Art at Tufts University in Boston.
On her return to London, Noor completed courses in Fashion PR and Journalism at Central Saint Martins and The London College of Fashion.
She has achieved diplomas in both Jewellery Design and Diamond Grading, and is currently finishing a degree at the Gemological Institute of America in London (GIA), completing a course in Coloured Stones.
“My passion for jewellery began when I was very young. I used to search through my mother’s drawers and try on all her beautiful pieces.
“I would pile on all her jewellery and every accessory I could find, and wander around the house looking like a Christmas tree.
“A few years ago, I started getting things made for myself by a jeweller in Lebanon. I had so many ideas and loved these pieces so much that I decided to make this hobby my chosen career path.
“I began to create ‘N.oor’, my first collection of fine jewellery. Many of my ideas and inspiration come from my Middle Eastern background, but also from my travels, my studies, and the little things I love.
“I am very much inspired by the work of my favourite artists and architects, for example the futuristic sculptural quality of Zaha Hadid’s work inspired my black ebony and gold cuff, whilst the symbolism of Francesco Clemente’s work with his reference to hands and eyes reminds me of the lucky charms and symbols of my heritage which can be found in all of my jewellery.”
Noor collaborates closely with Salvatore Angius, who has worked in the jewellery industry for 10 years, after studying and teaching at the GIA in Florence. Angius brings his technical expertise and savoir-faire to Noor’s artistic talent.
