Dear Pennies & Pens,
There are many designers and brands out there, but not all of them would make an interesting interview subject. It’s just an unfortunate reality. That’s why I’m always selective about who I interview. And today’s interviewee Durrah Khalil, the Creative Director and Designer of Durrah Jewellery is not only interesting but informative. Through her interview responses, you get not only insight on who she is a Designer but who she is as a person as well. And that’s where the story begins.
Durrah Jewellery is a luxury jewelry line made with sterling silver, gold, semi-precious, and precious stones. Durrah Jewellery combines classic designs with a touch of modern edginess to deliver truly exquisite yet fashion-forward pieces. The pieces are designed in London and sent to Italy where they are crafted by world-renowned master artisans. Durrah has designed for top jewelry companies like Mouawad and Tiffany & Co. Durrah’s talent is evident in each design as I find the pieces to be chic and contemporary. But that’s enough of me talking. Check out the interview below.
Where are you originally from?
I was born Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
How has your heritage influenced you as a designer?
My heritage is always at the heart of my designs. I embrace a lot of the influences from my heritage and intertwine it with where I grew up, so my designs are born out of my love for the East and the West.
As a Malaysian born designer living in London, I have become very comfortable with weaving threads of my heritage together with the creative direction I have developed through growing up in such a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.
Why did you decide to start your own jewelry line?
I envisioned my clients as blank canvases who wanted to be able to paint themselves depending on how they felt on any given day. I wanted my jewellery to be the voice, the statement they desired to achieve. I wanted to be able to project their emotions without saying a thousand words.
There are so many fashion and accessories designers, what makes your line stand apart from the rest?
My line encapsulates a lifestyle of which I am passionate. This passion is translated into pieces through the use of precious metals crafted by master artisans in Italy.
What inspires you most?
Love is my fuel. I do what I love everyday and I see inspiration everywhere. My vocation truly is my vacation.
Tell me more about the design and creation process. How does it work? Do you sketch designs or actually create a sample to be recreated?
The design process for me originates from a pattern, a texture, a shape, or whatever it may be. Then I get my sketch book out, my old school pencil, and I start to allow my hands and eyes to go with the flow. Through this, I will come up with many different designs, which could be a variation on one type of design. The challenge for me at this stage is to decide which design to actually select to bring forward and onto the next design stage which is a computer aided design.
This is important because it is at this stage that I am able to see if the dimensions, measurements and scales of my design, and how they can be translated into a piece. If I feel that it is necessary, then I will create a model that can be made out of any material that will work to represent the piece. Most often I will use a putty like substance similar to play –doh. Or my favourite is a combination of cardboard or paper and scotch tape. Sometimes it’s best to go back to the most basic methods. Once all this has been done and the piece is viable, I will then produce a sample in a precious metal. My favourite is sterling silver.
Who is your favorite designer and why?
My all time favourite designer is Solange Azagury-Partridge. I love her courage to push boundaries with her designs. She takes the whimsical and combines them with decadence through her use of rare precious materials.
Do you use social media? Why or why not?
I use social media as it allows me to have visibility within a demographic that may not otherwise stumble upon my line. Social media also encourages constructive interaction between the designers and/or brands with the fashion influencers and the followers.
If you could live anywhere in the world, it would be….?
Somewhere where the sun always shines – I have a soft spot for the Sunshine State (Florida).
The most stylish woman/man ever is…?
The most stylish woman ever, in my opinion, is Beyonce. She is a style chameleon.
Check out DURRAH JEWELLERY by clicking on the link.
And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything.
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