Egypt After 2025: Navigating a Critical Inflection Point    Spot Gold, futures slips on Thursday, July 17th    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt expresses condolences to Iraq over fire tragedy    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's Environment Minister attends AMCEN conference in Nairobi    At London 'Egypt Day', Finance Minister outlines pro-investment policies    Sukari Gold Mine showcases successful public–private partnership: Minister of Petroleum    Egypt's FRA chief vows to reform business environment to boost investor confidence    Egyptian, Belarusian officials discuss drug registration, market access    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Sri Lanka's expat remittances up in June '25    EU–US trade talks enter 'decisive phase', German politician says    Egypt's Health Min. discusses drug localisation with Sandoz    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Reem Jano turning arabesque windows into fine jewellery
"Each window has its own story, hence design. On the other hand, when the light passes through these windows, new designs emerge naturally," says Reem Jano
Published in Daily News Egypt on 07 - 09 - 2017

With a backpack strapped to her shoulders, she goes to meet the buildings she often refers to as business partners.
Even though she has walked through these alleys more than she can possibly remember, they still keep surprising her with new stories. During her regular journeys, she often passes by a window that became a colourful motif on one of her bangles or a mosque dome that she deconstructed into a statement necklace.
As she clutches her sketch book close to her heart, her eyes swipe the path ahead searching for the desired story that would ignite the first spark.
Reem Jano is a local jewellery designer that has managed to become an unexpected definition of modern Arabesque art. Her statement designs combine the authenticity of Islamic art with geometrical silhouettes and modern enamel details.
Jano is a prominent individual in the new local wave of jewellery designers, who aim to tackle global markets with local craftsmanship. After practising interior design, the artist shifted interest after studying at the Design Studio by Azza Fahmy.
Daily News Egypt sat with the designer to talk about the personal experience of turning historical buildings into contemporary fine forms of expression.
Arabesque is a traditional pattern, what did you aim to add to it?
To me, "Arabesque" is a form of Arabic art that constitutes of different geometrical shapes. Being originally an interior designer, my eye is attracted naturally to details found in mosques and buildings.
My evident keenness on adding traditional patterns to my collections is a reflection of my profound love of the exquisite details found in old Arabic mosques and interior design of historic buildings.
This is where my inspiration often come from and I work effortlessly to show it in a modern; yet, authentic method.
What did you aim to communicate through Islamic art?
In my opinion, Islamic art is unique and quite distinctive. Through my designs, I always aim to communicate the spirituality of that specific era; meanwhile, I also want to give it a fashionable and chic interpretation, which can appeal to a global audience.
Which architectural parts (windows, doors, floor mosaics, etc.) inspire you the most?
Khan el Khalili as a whole inspires me! I have to say that I am in love with the windows and the shadows created by the shutters.
If you focus on the details, you will find that each window has its own story, hence design. On the other hand, when the light passes through these wooden arabesque patterns, new designs emerge naturally.
Accordingly, the longer you keep staring at these windows, the more secrets will flicker right in front of your eyes.
Dainty jewellery seem to be making a great come back. Why did you prefer to go for statement?
I love how a statement necklace can be simple; yet, bold at the same time. For example, the long stars necklace with dangling arabesque sphere is one of my favourites because it is quite versatile; it can be worn front, side or back.
Do you work on each piece by yourself?
Yes, of course. I start with the design, then I create paper model, before developing a full detailed sketch and scale. Next step is often examining it and applying few modifications according to my inner gut feeling.
I constantly need to feel that this piece has a part of myself invested in its details; my designs represent me. Only then, I consider my masterpiece ready to meet the public.
How did your participation in the IFS two years in a row reflect on your brand and expertise as a designer?
I represented Egypt at the "International Fashion Showcase" in London fashion week 2016 and 2017.
It has certainly garnered international attention for the brand; especially that it came after my participation with two pieces in the "Mineral Art" competition in Germany in 2014, where my pieces were selected to be exhibited at the Gemstone Museum for 6 months.
What does each international event and showcase add to your brand?
Over the past years, being a designer and transforming raw material into wearable pieces of jewelry has always struck me as magic. I believe that Egypt consists of many civilizations that need to be represented globally in an artistic and expressive way.
I want to show people around the world the true beauty behind our culture. To me, the most-basic creative need is the ability to translate an inner vision into reality; I believe jewellery design is my tool to do so.
What is next for Reem Jano?
I have a busy agenda for the next few months. I will be working with Deliguoro, founder of Arti Star, an established jewellery brand in Milan, on a special collection.
Meanwhile, I have my eyes currently set on global expansion; on the other hand, I will continue to tell local stories through my jewellery.


Clic here to read the story from its source.