HRH Nourah Al Faisal via Harper's Bazaar Arabia
Every so often, jewelry designers create majestic pieces reminiscent of royalty but not many can actually say they are part of a royal family, unlike Saudi Arabian designer Nourah Al Faisal, creator of the iconic Nuun Jewels. Growing up between Riyadh, Paris, and London, Her Royal Highness was blessed with a life filled with art. Stemming from a royal family also meant being close to Saudi Arabia’s strong heritage and centuries-old culture, so it is no wonder she has taken this background filled with art, culture, tradition, and stunning aesthetics, and turned it into some of the region’s finest jewelry designs today.
In 2016, after 15 years working on various private commissions that have been called stunning and thought-provoking, Al Faisal decided to open her very own boutique at 71 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, known to be one of the world’s most luxurious shopping districts and home to names like Hermès and Chanel. The name of her line, NUUN, comes from the Arabic letter for N, which is the first letter of her name as well.
It may come as a surprise to many but Al Faisal didn’t always invest her energies in becoming the renowned jeweler that she is today. She started her academic track far from jewelry design, pursuing a degree in English Literature and interior design, and graduating from King Saud University. After that, she was given an invitation to take an apprenticeship in one of the top jewelry workshops in France and it was there her interest in jewelry design begun, and where her heritage and artistry shone through.
Most of her designs today are contemporary, chic, and created for the modern individual, and are also a nod to the graphic lines and iconic patterns of Middle East architecture. Her collections often pay tribute to her lineage, her city, and the region as a whole. In a recent interview with Emirates Woman, the pioneering designer explained how, for instance, her Doroob jewelry line “was based on the geographical terrain just outside Riyadh,” while the Tutti collection was named after her niece. For a glimpse of NUUN’s iconic pieces, visit its official website on www.nuunjewels.com.
