Amy Pugsley The MENA region is bustling with entrepreneurs and craftsmanship unparalleled in any other region. From rugs to pottery to design the ancient handcrafts practiced for centuries are living on through a new generation of artists eager to showcase their abilities and love of their homelands to the world. Chiman Jewelry based out of Iran is looking to merge the region with even further destinations to bring people together by celebrating the breathtaking beauty of nature. The brand’s first-ever collection highlights the mountain peaks of Nepal and reminds us that even when we feel isolated that together we can make a mark on the world. Flair Magazine sat down with the new brand to talk about inspiration and nature.
When did you start Chiman Jewelry? Where is the brand based?
The idea of Chiman jewelry was completed in the summer of 2019 and the first collection was unveiled on December 5th, 2020. We are based in Tehran, Iran.
What materials do you primarily use in your designs?
Actually, material isn’t my priority. To me, finding a way to convey my ideal concept and making my audience satisfied matters a lot. Most of the jewelry in the Nepal Collection is made of resin and brass.
Talk us through your design process.
An amazing fact is that all of my designs are formed in my mind as a result of years of research; studying folk and traditional art and different cultures. By choosing the most inspiring and influential concept of each land and culture; I do my best to find an extended connection in the particular area. First, the general impression pops up in my mind, then the needed details afterward in order to allow me to craft a memorable piece of jewelry.
The word “chiman” is Kurdish for light and mountains. Why did you choose this as the name of your brand?
Chiman in Kurdish means greenery, plain, light, and is also the name of a flower found in the heart of the Zagros mountains in Kurdistan. Reference to the lands and remembrance of the culture and hidden meanings that are embedded into each and every person’s life is considered the main concept of Chiman as a brand.
The concept of mountains is prevalent in this collection. Why are mountains so impressive to you?
I am of the strong opinion that the inside of every human being is an unbreakable tie to nature. If this essential connection is lost, the emptiness left will be very strong, and it is very important that this connection be reestablished. The mountain and the slope of the mountain have always played an essential role in the formation of settlements and the nature of cultures. By looking at mythology and literature we can conclude that the mountain undoubtedly had a special place in human history. Symbol of strength, endurance, freedom, and because of the height and proximity to the sky it is considered to be the place of connection between heaven and earth and that is the reason it had been the place of gods and a place of worship.
What’s next for Chiman?
The world is like a puzzle. Each of Chiman’s collections will be inspired by land to complete this puzzle in order to create a world; a world of beauty, tranquility, and freedom. It really matters to me when the audience follows the stories and tries to discover the connections between my jewelry and the world around them. Currently, only one collection has been unveiled, the other one will be revealed soon during Noruz (the Iranian new year 1400).
