She is well-known artist, photographer and designer. He’s a former advertising executive who launched his own image consulting firm and recently turned to industrial design.
So it was only a matter of time before the Lebanon-born Nadine Kanso and her fellow countryman Samer Al Ameen came together. The result of their collaboration, a men’s line for Kanso’s brand Bil Arabi — which literally means ‘in Arabic’ — launches today.
Featuring necklaces, bracelets, cuff links and rings, in silver, the collection is a masculine take on Kanso’s aesthetic of transforming Arabic language and calligraphy into jewellery pieces.
The Directory caught up with the pair to talk design, the challenges of creating jewellery for men and the importance of staying true to one’s roots.
Nadine, what prompted the decision to start a men’s line?
I have always wanted to create a men’s line and had done few pieces before, but a couple of years back, I felt the need and the trend growing for men’s jewellery. Having said that, I wanted a new take and a new eye to be on board and I wouldn’t want to have it done but with Samer.
So how did Samer come into the picture?
Samer and I, we see eye to eye when it comes to Arabic design and typography, let alone design in general. We love to share our ideas and discuss our project, which finally landed in putting our hands together for the first Bil Arabi Men’s line. Samer is my perfect match and [I] wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.
Samer, why did you think this was a project worth getting involved with?
There are a lot of aspects to the project. Nadine and I are very similar on many fronts. We were both born and raised in Beirut, went to the same school and university in Lebanon around the same time; we kind of have the same flair for things; we explore different projects and [are] very dedicated to our work. Besides that, we are close friends. Nadine is very talented and her work is very diversified and that’s our common ground. I am very familiar with the Bil Arabi brand and the collaboration just happened naturally. Plus, jewellery is a new category for me and I love novelty and new challenges.
Tell us about the inspiration for some of the pieces?
Samer: I wanted a masculine, simple and elegant line that can be interesting to a wide scope of men. It stated with creating a unique typeface in Arabic and then transforming the typeface into jewellery, and the end result is [that] the letter is the object rather than an object with a letter. It simply wraps around the wrist and finger. The main material we have selected is silver for now and in different finishes — matt, shiny, etc, and the necklaces have straps of leather. Of course other materials will be explored and any material can be done on order.
The market is already inundated with accessories brands, even for men. Will Bil Arabi’s men’s collection stand out?
Nadine: Sure the market carries so many jewellery brands and accessories. But if you look at our pieces you will see that it will be the first Arabic lettered line of jewellery from necklaces, rings to cuff links, which in my opinion will have great success. It is contemporary, with simple lines and just beautiful.
Samer: The market is saturated with everything these days. However, this line of jewellery is unique given that it is in Arabic and the way the letters have been transformed into jewellery is very simple yet new. I believe that these pieces stand out and add a personal touch to the person wearing them, especially that they can be worn in single or multiple pieces.
How long did it take from conceptualisation to market ready?
Samer: The whole project started less than a year ago, around April last year.
Nadine: We are showcasing four items initially but these pieces will vary with different materials such as diamonds, without diamonds, with black rhodium or being matte.
What happens to the collection from here?
Nadine: I am hoping for this to develop into a constant line which I am sure it will be. Both of us have the energy and creativity to come up with great ideas, so I guess you should watch this space.
Nadine, what other plans are there for Bil Arabi?
Bil Arabi is always looking for cool projects and collaborations. Soon a new collaboration is on the way but I can’t reveal much of it at the moment. But a capsule collection is to be shown in March of this year.
Samer, what else is keeping you busy these days?
I am working on a luxury line of carpets that will be a new platform in the carpet sector, in terms of material, execution and, of course, design. I will launch the carpets line along with three pieces of furniture inspired by the carpets in April in Milan during Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano (Milan furniture fair).
Go get yours
Bil Arabi’s men’s collection is available at S*uce Rocks, The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Call 04-3440608.
