You can’t mistake fashion guru and jewelry designer Layan Ezzo if you ever come across her. She is very petite and works hard at the gym to stay so. With an incredible sense of style acutely honed by six years of luxury retail marketing, the jewelry she wears also draws you in to gaze more closely at her.

Beautifully minimal, Layan layers her pieces with the exuberance of youth but you can immediately see that each piece can stand alone because of its quality and the meaning behind it. bazaar spent some time with this talented and fun designer to chat about her background and Layan Jewelry.

Source: bazaar

Growing up with your father in the jewelry business, did you always want to design jewelry?

It’s always been something I’ve been so passionate about. I’ve always seen jewelry as a beautiful expression with a beautiful untold story.

What made you choose fine jewelry?

It’s just been in the family for so long so I wanted to do something that was close to home but also defines me.

What is your fondest memory of your father working in the jewelry business?

Naming it after me.

Source: bazaar

Source: bazaar

Do you have a favorite piece of your mother’s jewelry which was given to her by your father?

Lots! But my all-time favorite is the pair of earrings with a cluster of pearls and diamonds. Pearls are one of my favorite gemstones and earrings are my favorite piece of jewelry (I don’t know if you can tell with my 12 ear piercings!).

What’s the most sentimental piece of jewelry you own or have had made?

A necklace with a “w” on it which is the first letter of my father’s name.

Your pieces when you started out were very delicate and you still produce great layering pieces. What was your inspiration behind creating these petite looks?

To me, minimalism is everything! I believe in anything small but with a great meaning behind it; it just means so much more and it’s appreciated a lot more than when it’s right there in your face.

You’ve had successful collections inspired by runes, chakra symbols and calligraphy; all are very  meaningful pieces for the people who wear them. What is next for Layan Jewelry?

I do know I enjoy working closely with clients on bespoke pieces. Who knows really what’s next when it comes to collections as with Layan Jewelry I’m a spur-of-the-moment kind of a person. I see something, fall in love with it, get inspired and get to work! I will definitely continue looking for different ways to create collections that describe different personalities, whether it’s with signs, scripts or even stones. This inspiration also helps me to design extremely personal bespoke pieces.

Source: bazaar

When someone comes to you for a bespoke piece, what is the process like from coming up with an idea all the way through to creating the piece?

I send over a sketch to get the client’s thoughts and feedback, share it with the workshop, the workshop then sends over a prototype for my approval and if all goes well, we finalize the design. It’s usually a 2-day process and for the piece to be ready it needs 3-5 days.

You’ve made some very intricate pieces, where did you find the craftsmen who work on Layan Jewelry and what makes their work special?

It took a while to find the right “team” but thankfully, I’ve been able to establish a great working relationship with the same workshop my father worked on his earlier days.

Have you ever designed anything that they have not been able to make?

So far nothing yet and there have been some very precisely cut, cleanly set pieces. They are supremely skilled.

Source: bazaar

Source: bazaar

Where do you source your materials from?

Europe has a such a long history of excellence in high quality metals and stones with provenance that I only use Swiss gold and Belgian diamonds.

If you could create a piece, no expense spared, what would it look like?

I’m already wearing it! A tiny diamond stone bezel set on a delicate gold cable chain. It’s a timeless piece with my favorite stone!

Follow @LayanJewelry on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. To contact Layan for enquiries about commissioning a bespoke design, call or WhatsApp 6668 7282 or email layan.w.ezzo@gmail.com. 

Black marble star plate and multicolored ikat throw courtesy of Ecru. Visit www.ecruonline.com or follow @ecruonline on Instagram for more.

Photos by bazaar staff.