In addition to revealing its role as the Educator sponsor for Abu Dhabi Art, 2021, Mouawad is also delighted to announce its collaboration with Dubai-based, Emirati fine jewellery designer, Salama Khalfan. The fruit of this partnership is a unique, one-of-a-kind item of adornment, an extraordinary headpiece set with a dazzling array of diamonds and emeralds crafted and set by the hands of master Mouawad craftsmen in a design that is inspired by and pays tribute to the date palm tree for its special place at the heart of culture and life in the Gulf region.
Fourth generation Mouawad Co-Guardians Fred, Alain and Pascal Mouawad commented, “It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with Salama Khalfan on creating an extraordinary object of beauty and adornment, knowing that we both share a passion for timeless sophistication and incredible gemstones. This collaboration is particularly meaningful, with the design paying tribute to the nature and culture of the Middle East.”
Highly regarded as a symbol of prosperity, the date palm has been a mainstay of traditions and family life for centuries. Every part of the tree provides a use, which in days gone by saw it woven to create sheltering and walls for homes, as well as numerous household items. Throughout time, its first fruits, eaten fresh, herald the beginning of summer, and are later preserved to provide nutrition throughout the winter. Still today, dates offered with coffee to visiting guests are deeply emblematic of hospitality.
The headpiece features diamonds placed in rivulets on the headpiece in a design that is inspired by the traditional weaving of dried date palm leaves, while palm leaf motifs are situated around the crown as a symbol of respect and pride for this cultural emblem.
Dubai-based jewellery designer Salama Khalfan launched her business in 2014 to great acclaim, combining her life-long passions of art and jewellery by creating beautiful objects that incorporate the timeless glamour of yesterday with the modern functionality of today. Over the years, her designs have adorned Hollywood leading ladies, including Meryl Streep and Emma Stone. Khalfan commented, “It is rare for two jewellery brands to come together, and this demonstrates an openness from Mouawad and myself. I believe that connecting with like-minded people is the way to go, as when we unite, beautiful and extraordinary things, such as this exceptional item, can happen.”
The Mouawad X Salama Khalfan headpiece will be showcased during Abu Dhabi Art, which is held under the patronage His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and will take place from 17 – 21 November, 2021, at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
