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Lezima Gomes
DOHA
With distinctive style and carefully hand-crafted imaginative designs, Maria Jo'e3o Bahia brings her own experiences to life in each of her jewellery designs.
Bahia, a Portuguese jewellery designer, has created a special collection of jewellery innovatively crafted, keeping the Qatari culture and traditions in mind."Many years ago, I visited Egypt and that trip re-activated my fascination with different cultures. I always like to read about the different cultures I visit, but that time it was different, more intense. I came back home particularly attracted by the mystery of the night; the sonority of the call to prayer, words I could not understand but a melody that seemed so powerful; the femininity of the veil, something that you perceive as being there but you cannot fully see,'' she explained.
In an attempt to gather an understanding of the Arab world, she did a lot of research about the unknown mystical world that she developed a fascination for. ''From there, automatically I started noticing that the most beautiful pieces of jewellery I was getting attracted to were worn by Arab women. From there, it went further to research about the jewellery of the Arab world till I fully understood it,'' she said.
Her collection, called 'Desert Jewels', was designed especially for Qatar, focusing on primary elements such as history, traditions, the desert and the wildlife. Bahia said, ''In this collection, I have designed different pieces where the mix of colour, materials and shapes merge with the main elements described above. Each piece has a hand-made sketch and a history behind it. They are a symbol of purity, light and their inner mystery of life. All my pieces are unique and exclusive handcrafted.''
She has created a special collection using precious stones such as emeralds, diamonds, tanzanite, sapphires and rubies, and includes bracelets, rings, earrings, amongst other jewellery. ''I have drawn inspiration from the Arabian Nights, the colours in the desert sky, the smell of the ocean. Some of these are designs that I dreamt. You will see how the use of different coloured stones represents my inspiration.''
Born into a family of artists, Maria Jo'e3o Bahia developed an early passion for the world of art and design. ''Ever since I was little, I had a passion to work with jewellery. Although I started my studies in the Law Faculty, I quickly switched to a jewellery course, which marked the change in my life. I started in the jewellery business by working in a small workshop.''
She recollects how back in the day jewellery designing was an industry dominated by men, and being a young woman in a men's universe was not an easy task. But today, she is widely acknowledged as one of the most respected designers. In the past 30 years, Bahia has created several jewellery collections, from everyday-wear jewellery to uniquely exclusive private designs for celebrities in Portugal and even the Pope.
''From the very beginning, creativity has been the essence of my brand. I consider my style distinctive, imaginative and timeless. My jewels are carefully handcrafted with special attention to detail. Each piece becomes more than jewellery, but art.''
Bahia's jewellery company that is based in Lisbon, Portugal and ships worldwide is recognised as one of the prestigious jewellery firms in Europe. This is the second time that she has visited Qatar to showcase her collection and her collection was very well received by the locals.
She said, ''Visitors, especially locals, really appreciate my designs. Not only because each piece is unique but also because they understand and appreciate the organic designs and inspirations behind each piece."
Bahia's jewellery also caught the attention of a famous local composer and singer who tried on a ring featuring a falcon and was impressed by it. She immediately asked if she could use that image for her next clip.
"She said that the movement of the falcon was exactly what she wanted to express in her song. For me, this was such a great moment, witnessing two forms of art interacting in the right place, at the right time. I truly believe there are no coincidences and things happen for a reason. I am delighted to see what this collaboration will translate into."
Bahia works with raw materials and organic shapes (the way they are cut naturally). Therefore, even a single similar piece would be difficult to make. Mostly aimed at women, Bahia's pieces have a strong and special character, and she believes that the women wearing the jewellery too should have the same."In my opinion, jewels are accessories that accentuate women's glamour, attitude and elegance. They are part of a woman's feelings and, underline those many feelings.
"I also design and create some special accessories for men, like cufflinks. They are created for gentlemen who appreciate and look for something unique," she said.
"Jewels are my passion. Creating jewellery is making stories come true. It's turning memories into beautiful timeless objects. In my opinion, wearing a jewel makes you feel strong. A jewel is always a companion. It will make you more beautiful, more alive. I take inspiration from life itself, nature in its pure state, and the universe as an enormous entity. Uniqueness, a conceptual inspiration, is in every design I sketch and in every piece that I create," she said.
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28/03/2017
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