Redefining Glamour!

Photographs by Ala’a A.S.
Styled and Art directed by Khalid Abdel-Hadi
Digital art-work by Jawad Qumsieh
Model: Megan
Hair by Abood Othman from La Bonita Salon
Make-up by Nada Al-Agha
All jewelry by Lama Hourani
White men’s undershirt worn throughout the shoot; Fruit of the Loom
Making-of video (mini-film) by Ala’a Abu Qasheh

Since the dawn of time, jewelry has the exciting quality that makes certain people seem appealing or special, whereas glamour is an underlined statement in the world of vanity. But in a world divided by definitions, classes and stereotypes, there’s only one way to test the mix… refusal! Madam Chanel was on to something with “elegance is refusal”, and refusal is power! So is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Introducing, the glamour of feminism!

Lama Hourani creates her own version of the Renaissance/French Cabinet of Curiosités which contained objects from natural history, geology, archaeology, historic relics and works of arts. Lama’s memory theatre is filled with playfully peculiar elements from the world of natural history. She has transformed them into imaginary hybrid creatures, fluttery butterflies, talking flowers, and magical bee hives. They are brought to life with faceted precious and semi-precious stones.

The Kingdom of Universe collection is inspired by one of the richest and most mysterious nations in history: the Inca Empire, located in Cusco in modern day Peru. Vibrant colors are dominant this collection with representations of the Condor bird, a spiritual bird still invoked by the local people for advice and healing, the Snake, a symbol of truth, insight, fertility and rebirth and the Puma, a symbol of intuition, power and patience.

This collection is inspired by the Majnooneh flower, more commonly known as Bougainvillea or the paper flower to its peper-thin aesthetic. Lama celebrates the Bougainvillea’s boldness with an array of vivid colors including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white and yellow – all represented by a range of semi-precious stones. Together with sterling silver and different shades of gold plating and oxidation, she depicts the wild and beautiful contradictions of the flower.

The Healing Hand Collection: This collection was initially created from the forms of birds… the defiant of gravity -which links between the heavens and earth, symbolizing boundless freedom, these hands are hands of power, will, strength & protection, some carry a Rose symbolizing evanescence of innocence and youth, a key Representing opportunities, mystery, initiation and curiosity and an eye reflecting omniscience, a gateway into the soul.

Megan is wearing Handmade sterling silver neck piece set with various cuts of Onyx and Lapis, roses set with Sapphires and finished with oxidation from the Cabinet de Curiosités collection. Handmade in sterling silver, these intricately stenciled drop earrings are oxidized on the inside and a handmade oxidized sterling silver knuckle ring set with two white pearls from the Contemporary Nostalgia collection. Handmade sterling silver Rio crown ring set with pink Tourmaline from the Rio Collection. lip ring are the Megan’s own.

“Unique jewelry adds essence to a world full of mass production. It unites with our skin, adds to our beauty & makes us stand out. It has no ethnicity it speaks one language that everyone understands, elegance, originality and timelessness.”

– Lama Hourani

Jewelry tells the stories of our life. Megan is wearing a handmade sterling silver chain necklace set with Lamystique coins, discs, white and black pearls from the lamystique Collection. Handmade sterling silver knuckle ring finished with oxidation from the Kingdom of the Universe Collection. All Lama Hourani

We’ve become a shade more adventurous in the past decade, mixing high end design prices what with nose and lip rings. Megan is wearing a handmade sterling silver Kingdom of the Universe neck piece set with Amethyst, Turquoise and Zoisite. All Lama Hourani

Megan is wearing a handmade sterling silver Bougainvillea flower stud earrings finished with oxidation and yellow and rose gold plating. A handmade sterling silver Bougainvillea flower neckpiece set with chunks of Amethyst and finished with rose and yellow gold plating and oxidation. All Lama Hourani

Megan is wearing a handmade sterling silver multi chain necklace set with different chains, faceted amethyst wire knotting and drops, white pearls, citrine drops, round charms, stenciled palm and eye and rose healing hands. Heavenly tree earring: handmade hammered sterling silver yellow gold- plated tree earrings set with white baroque pearls from The Growth Collection. Claw ring: Handmade sterling silver oxidized upper finger claw ring, one size- adjustable, from the the Cabinet de Curiosités. Charm bracelets: handmade sterling silver bangle set with dog tag, Wabi-Sabi. Handmade sterling silver bangle set with charms, Contemporary Nostalgia. All Lama Hourani