72 U | February 2015

Grasp the wondrous world of Noor Fares' architectural gemstones and whimsical

designs as she takes the face of jewelry to a whole new era.

U INTERVIEW

By CELINE ASSOUAD

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72 U | February 2015

February 2015 | U 73

A new name to know in the jewlery world Noor Fares’ fine trinkets' creations have made her an A-list hit. Her History of Art degree from Tufts University was a natural extension of her ingenious upbringing where she expanded her knowledge and

appreciation of Fine Art, enriching her taste and enlightening her inspiration. Noor’s passion for travel and fascination for arts and new cultures are at the core of her jewelry designs – reflecting both her aesthetic and philosophy. U: Tell me about yourself, your designs and how you got there.NF: I have always been fascinated by gemstones and jewelry. However it was not until I took a gemology course at the GIA and a short course in design that I discovered my passion for jewelry design. This led me to start my brand of fine jewelry in 2009, but I still had the desire to broaden my knowledge and further my education, so I decided to do a Masters degree in jewelry design at Central St Martins. I love designing on a small scale while paying great attention to detail and creating pieces that are personal and timeless.U: What challenges did you encounter when creating your first jewelry line?NF: The main challenge any designer endures when they first start out, is a lack of experience and awareness of where the market lies. Thus, it is a situation of trial and error until you get it right.

U: Who wears Noor Fares’ designs?NF: I design for confident, spontaneous and elegant women who have a sense of adventure.U: Who are your favorite jewelry designers?NF: JAR and Victoire de CastellaneU: What is you favorite jewelry item and why?

NF: My favorite piece is my grandmother’s wedding ring that I inherited a few years ago. It is something that I hope to pass on to my daughter one day.

U: Describe your journey so far.NF: A great adventureU: What are your passions in life? Do they inspire you?NF: Designing jewelry inspires my daily life.

U: What piece of advice would you give to someone interested in getting into the jewelry business?

NF: Think outside the box and do not be afraid to be different.

U: If you weren’t in the jewelry business, where would you see yourself?NF: I would be a travel writer, as I love to discover new cultures.Ever since launching her eponymous label in 2009, the collection has been selected by renowned global stockists including Dover Street Market, Browns and Matches in London, WhiteBird in Paris, Net-a-Porter online and as of February 2014, Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.