Emirati jewellery designer Salama Khalfan is the founder of Alezan. Antonie Robertson / The National
Emirati jewellery designer Salama Khalfan is the founder of Alezan. Antonie Robertson / The National

Alezan founder Salama Khalfan’s jewellery is inspired by horses



The Emirati jewellery designer Salama Khalfan, who recently won the Best Day-Wear jewellery prize at the third edition of Ebda’a Award held in Abu Dhabi, talks about the inspiration behind her designs and the local industry.

Alezan is a French word that means chestnut. Why did you choose this name for your brand?

The first piece of jewellery I made was a bracelet, and the inspiration was fired up by my showjumping mare, Penelope. She sits at the heart of all of this. Penelope’s breed is a Selle Françias, which is the primary breed for showjumping horses originating from France. My horse Penelope is “Alezan” or chestnut.

As a winner of the Ebda'a Award, you will attend a jewellery-designing course at the International Gemological Institute in Dubai later this year. What do you hope to learn from it?

Even though I have focused on studying diamonds with the Dubai-based Gemological Institute of America, I look forward to learning more about design. There are tools and technology, as well as hand-drawing techniques that I have not been exposed to.

What is the inspiration behind your designs?

The only constant in my designs is the horse. My designs are inspired by the history and stories of horses throughout time. My first collection, for example, the Artalana Collection, is inspired by the horses of the Ottoman Empire. I went on a trip to Turkey and was inspired by Topkapi Palace – everything between those walls found a voice in my work. I created antique-style jewellery using modern methods, because I wanted my designs to capture that era.

What is the state of the Emirati jewellery industry?

Jewellery has always had an important place in our heritage. Some of the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen are inherent to this region; their authenticity makes me want to turn back time and become a goldsmith apprentice. The appreciation of jewellery is ingrained within us – whether from stories of pearl divers or girls wearing jewel-encrusted headpieces. This strong sense of tradition, plus the proximity to other countries and their culture, and the UAE’s openness to trade, have all contributed to the development of the jewellery industry here. Styles, designs, materials and techniques have evolved over the years, in parallel to such initiatives as Ebda’a, which is grounded in innovation.

What are you working on?

My new collection is inspired by the horse from Chinese mythology and will be launched later this year.

• Visit www.alezanbysk.com for more details

Khalfan’s favourite pieces

Artalana Full Horse Bit Cavalry Ring: A long ring that covers the finger. I love it because it is a statement piece.

Luck at First Sight Horseshoe Ring: I sometimes call it the invisible luck ring. It has nine beautifully set round diamonds, cast in white gold, covered with black rhodium.

Artalana Empress Pendant:The first piece designed for the Artalana Collection. It is made of rose and white gold, and has a horse bit between two hearts of rubies, meant to symbolise the horse’s heart and the rider’s heart.

Luck at First Sight Bangles: Classic and practical. I love wearing them because they are elegantly discreet.

Artalana Empress Falabella Ring: The Falabella is the smallest miniature horse. What makes this ring special to me are the fancy-cut diamonds, and how comfortable it is to wear.

Artalana Secret Garden Necklace: Elegant and versatile – the motifs are encrusted with diamonds and rubies on the front and back.

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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

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Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

PROFILE OF CURE.FIT

Started: July 2016

Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori

Based: Bangalore, India

Sector: Health & wellness

Size: 500 employees

Investment: $250 million

Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)

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Specs

Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Our family matters legal consultant

 

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

Abu Dhabi Card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m

National selection: AF Mohanak

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m

National selection: Jayide Al Boraq

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m

National selection: Rocket Power

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m

National selection: Ihtesham

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m

National selection: Noof KB

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m

National selection: EL Faust

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface