Made by Chaumet and commissioned by Alfardan Jewellery and Qatar Museums. An exclusive initiative under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani. The project is a natural continuation of the Chaumet & Nature 2024 exhibition. The exhibition opened a dialogue between the Parisian fine jewellery house as well as the natural world of the Gulf.
Chaumet invited artists and designers from all over the MENA region. An invitation to redefine through contemporary Arab eyes one of its most iconic creations: the tiara. Eleven designers were selected to participate in an exclusive masterclass. Under the guidance of Chaumet's creative studio director, Olga Corsini, at M7.
After the masterclass, the three finalists were welcomed into the world of the house at 12 Place Vendôme in Paris. During their two-day trip, the finalists also explored the design studio. They even learned the art of gouache and visited the high jewellery workshop. There they met the artisans and Benoît Verhulle, the head of the workshop, who leads the creation of the tiara.
Aisha Alattiya from Qatar was the winner with her design. Alattiya's artistic career started at a young age. Her curiosity was awakened as she watched her sister paint and color. She soon discovered the joy of drawing anime characters, everyday objects and the natural world around her. Through clay, she discovered the dialogue between nature and form.
«This exploration evolved naturally into jewellery design. Where art is transformed into something familiar and wearable,» shares Alattiya. Reflecting on her first memory of a tiara, the designer recalls moments from her childhood. When she watched Disney movies and fairy tales and was mesmerized by the sparkle and sense of magic they brought. «That fascination never left me.».
The creative process of the tiara led Alattiya to the Chaumet workshop in Paris. Where the house's tiaras have been designed for over two centuries. «The visit to Chaumet's workshop in Paris was truly inspiring. What stood out most was the direct dialogue between centuries of tradition and contemporary art,» he reflects. «Seeing the craftsmen working with precision, patience and attention to detail. It was then that I remembered that true craftsmanship is not a rush, but an act of dedication,» he adds.
Alattiya envisioned a tiara that would combine the resilience of the Qatari desert and the elegance of Chaumet's Parisian heritage. It took 850 hours to create Houbara Haven, a piece that represents a love letter to Qatar. It draws inspiration from the houbara bird, a symbol of endurance in Qatar's hawk fishing. But also the Awsaj plant, one of the wild desert plants, symbolizing survival and beauty in the harsh desert. It tells the story of a houbara seeking shelter among the protective branches of the Awsaj.
«Inspired by the stories passed down to my family, I tried to capture this scene through a unique lens. Capturing its spirit in the sculptural form of a tiara,» explains Alattiya. Its base unfolds like blossoming branches of the desert. Embracing natural pearls of the Gulf - glowing with the soft light of a shared past.
«Pearls hold a timeless place in Qatar's heritage. Our first gems, harvested from the sea that nurtured generations. Their presence in the design is more than decorative, it is symbolic. Each pearl carries the essence of purity, durability and continuity. Reflecting the quiet strength of tradition passed down through time.».
The project underlines the brand's commitment to nurturing emerging talent. It also bridges cultural heritage with contemporary creativity and celebrates the timeless art of fine jewellery making. A continuation of its 245-year dialogue with nature and living expressions of culture and emotions.
Source: goldbookmagazine.com
