Centred around the protective element of the jewellery tradition, and imbued with the potency of its symbolism, the new collection by fine jewellery brand Tabayer – launching in the autumn – reflects its founder Nigora Tokhtabayeva’s personal experience in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Finding herself in a negative headspace during the lengthy lockdowns the world underwent, the US-based designer channeled this into a positive experience, creating a collection of reinterpreted talismans designed to protect. Crafted entirely from Fairmined gold and Kimberley-certified diamonds, Tokhtabayeva’s ensured that each piece in the new range is environmentally and ethically made, led by the belief that nothing protects humanity more than our habitat.
Resonating with Tokhtabayeva’s highly personal work, London-based photographer Lina Scheynius’s work showcases a raw, candid aesthetic reflective of her own life experiences. Ahead of the launch of the new Tabayer jewellery collection, the pair decided to collaborate on a visual essay, inspired by the jewellery brand’s focus on the symbology of protection. In the evocative images that she has produced, Swedish-born Scheynius looks back over her own archive of images shot in the last five years in a range of locations, including the island of Fårö, the Baltic Sea and London’s Royal Parks.
Underpinning the project are five key words – ‘personal’, ‘intimate’, ‘femininity,’ ‘otherworldly’ and ‘magic’ – that Scheynius focused on when choosing her imagery, giving the visual essay a consistent sense of quiet stillness, whether the viewer is looking at a photo of the photographer’s sister stepping into a moonlit lake in Trollhättan, Sweden, or glancing upon the self-portrait of Scheynius’ bare legs with a crystal amulet at her feet. “It was interesting looking at my work through someone else’s eyes,” says Scheynius. “I found treasures and some surprises that I could bring back to life.”
The full photographic essay will be released on the Tabayer jewellery Instagram page over the summer, with the brand’s new fine jewellery collection coming this autumn.
Article written by Belle Rice
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A black and white photo of a woman standing in the sea from Lina Scheynius photo-essay for Tabayer jewellery.
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A black and white photo of a woman standing by the window behind a curtain from Lina Scheynius photo-essay for Tabayer jewellery.
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Nigora Tabayer was inspired to transform the iconic eye motif into a high-end luxury jewellery masterpiece featuring the wearer’s initial, making each pendant unique to its owner.
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Each piece in Nigora Tabayer’s Eye Collection, including the sensational diamond bracelet, was crafted for the designer by renowned London jewellery house Graff.
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Nigora Tabayer has taken the symbolic eye motif and transformed it into a beautiful jewellery collection set with the finest diamonds and emeralds.
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Interwoven into the unique design of Nigora’s Tabayer’s Eye Collection emerald and diamond initial pendants is a precious eye to offer protection.
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A selection of emerald and diamond Eye Collection pendants from Nigora Tabayer’s debut fine jewellery collection.
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Nigora Tabayer’s Eye Collection pendants elegantly incorporate the protective eye into diamond-set letters of the alphabet.
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As someone who loves wearing sets of jewels, Nigora Tabayer has also added a spectacular diamond bracelet to the Eye Collection.
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The exquisite diamond bracelet from Nigora Tabayer’s debut Eye Collection.
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The inspiration for the Eye Collection came from Nigora Tabayer’s childhood, when her mother would dress her in a simple bracelet featuring the talismanic eye, which is worn for protection in Central Asia, the Middle East, Turkey and Greece.
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Building on the success of her debut Eye Collection, the designer from Central Asia, Nigora Tabayer, plans to launch a second fine jewellery collection in the very near future.
Source: The Jewellery Editor
