It isn’t often that beautiful things come out of a chaotic situation, yet when it happens, it carries a deeper meaning and a beauty that pierces through the soul. That’s the kind of enchanting beauty carried in the combination of gemstones and captivating motifs of Selim Mouzannar, an eponymous brand whose founder and designer used jewelry-making as an escape from a troublesome environment.
Selim Mouzannar is owned by French-Lebanese designer who grew up seeing his peaceful and beautiful city, Beirut, get destroyed by war. He did have a great family, yet there was a different vibe surrounding him brought by all the violence and fights, leading him to find comfort in an something that would serve as an oasis in the middle of a desert: jewelry.
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A jeweler’s journey
Jewelry has always been a part of Mouzannar’s life, being a third-generation jeweller next to his father and grandfather. From a very young age, he was very fond of the stones and gold in the precious jewelry. But while he already had a rich resource within his bloodline, he was eager to learn the craft on his own by studying and travelling the world. In 1980, his official entry into the jewelry world began with his enrolment at Institut National de Gemmologie in Paris. While in school, he simultaneously practiced and trained the craft in a real gem shop in Antwerp.
After four years of studying, Mouzannar worked for Mouawad Group, which sent him to different countries like Saudi Arabia, and some other places in Europe and the Far East. When he ended that job, he went back to help the family business in Lebanon in 1992. After all his studying and job experiences, he finally decided to take a leap and start his own jewelry business, which he named after himself.
Of beautiful and history-rich cities
Selim Mouzannar’s pieces are inspired by its founder’s personal influences and inspirations as well. The brand’s collections are reminiscent of places that the designer holds dear.
Beirut, the main collection of the label, is a tribute to Mouzannar’s city. Heavy traces of old souks and traditional homes can be found in each of the jewelry pieces through its intricate design details and expressive elements. The impact of Beirut’s captive under the Ottoman Empire can also be seen in the details, as much of the traditions of the conquerors heavily influenced the fashion and jewelry of the entire city. It is reminiscent of the old times as well, with the “old cuts” of stones that do not only have the timeless appearance, but exuding a refined antique style.
Another collection from the brand is called the Stars Collection or also called the Istanbul Collection, which is a tribute to the very rich culture of the city. Every jewelry in this line showcases a star, and reminiscent of the time-honored traditions and customs of Istanbul. Such legacy is what the whole collection celebrates, but the brand made sure to update it with contemporary looks and details to bring out their beauty even more.
Mina, one of the most recent collections of the label, showcases the expertise of the Selim Mouzannar through its use of enamel, a millenary technique that started in the Mediterranean. The charm of this particular collection lies heavily on the magnificent pattern of stones added to the star designs. Completing that with a splash of art deco, this collection proves to be a stunner and a really sought for line by enthusiasts and newbies alike.
Beauty that captures the maker, the wearer, and the spectator
What Selim Mouzannar boasts of are not only the expertise of its designer and the level of advancement of its technologies, but more importantly, the ability of their pieces to convey emotion and impart traditions. The perfect balance of contemporary with traditional, added with hints of color, power, sparkle and innovation sets this brand apart from everyone else.
For the brand, not one story can capture their collections—it lies on the woman who will wear them. It will be a story of how the jewelry makes her feel good about herself. But that’s not only the main focus of jewelry interpretation, as Mouzannar sees it. It covers 3 principles that include the creator of the jewelry, the woman wearing it, and the spectator that is moved and touched upon seeing it worn by the owner. With those three principles in mind, the brand is able to create pieces that can have an overall impact no only to one person, but to a lot.
With the rich history of the brand and the inspiring journey of its founder and main designer, it is beautiful to see how the label uses its pieces to evoke feelings of happiness. By doing so, it adds to the beauty of the Selim Mouzannar, one that encapsulates peace within oneself as well. Through this, we see the brand not only as a producer of jewelry, but a company that loves what it does and what it gives to the world, a true beautiful outcome of a chaotic situation.
