Jared Lehr, a renowned fine jewellery brand in the US, is showcasing some of the most unique “wearable art” at the 17th edition of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE), which concludes Saturday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. “I don't make jewellery, I make wearable art,” the American jewellery fashion designer who is based in Los Angeles told 'Gulf Times' on the sidelines of the annual fair Friday.
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Some of Jared Lehr's "wearable art" pieces on show at DJWE 2020
DJWE, organised by Qatar National Tourism Council, is a leading platform for lovers of luxury and jewellery, bringing together renowned international and Qatari brands in Doha and featuring the latest trends and innovations in the industry. “We’ve been in business since 2015 and our mission statement is to make wearable art, one-of-a-kind pieces using multi-coloured diamonds, tourmalines, and different unique exotic gemstones. We find them from all over the world and then we design them around the pieces that we find,” said Lehr, noting that they build collectors and don’t sell single pieces.
Lehr’s participation in the prestigious exhibition in Doha is the brand’s entrance to the Middle East and the world.
“This is our first exhibition here, it is very exciting,” he said, citing that the Alfardan family has been lovely and accommodating. “They treated us like we are a family and we are honoured to be here.” Since Lehr’s business has been exclusively in the US, he said they experienced some minor adjustments while exhibiting in this part of the world but enjoyed it and felt very welcomed.
Lehr mulls returning to Doha next year for the 18th edition of DJWE and plans to create some pieces exclusively for the exhibition that reflect Qatar’s rich heritage. “I think this trip has been a learning experience about the culture and their history. Next year I will premiere a few pieces just for the show, makes it one-of-a-kind, would do very well to someone who will be honoured to wear it,” he said.
A highlight of Lehr’s collection at DJWE 2020 is a 59-carat aquamarine bracelet with multi-colour Safire and diamonds, which took six months to make. “It is different and elegant and it really symbolises craftsmanship and art.” “My collection is art, and it is not for everybody, it is for the people that want to wear things different from everybody else, they don’t want 25 people having the same pieces. It is for the most discerning of clientele,” Lehr added.