Ara Vartanian (born 1975) is a Brazilian-Armenian jeweller and best known as the founder of his eponymous jewellery house.[1]
Ara Vartanian | |
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Born | 1975 (age 48–49) |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Alma mater | Boston University |
Occupation | Jeweller |
Years active | 2000–present |
Spouse | Sabrina Gasperin |
Early life and education
editVartanian was born into a family of jewellers[2] in Beirut, Lebanon,[3] and spent his early life in São Paulo, Brazil surrounded by precious stones. Vartanian gained a degree in Economics from Boston University[4] before locating to New York City in 1998 to work as a trader on the NASDAQ.[3] In 2000, Vartanian left the financial market to return to Brazil and dedicate himself to designing jewellery.
Career
editIn 2000, Vartanian founded his eponymous jewellery house [5][6] and has since developed the use of innovative jewellery settings including; two and three-finger rings, ‘Octopus’ rings,[6] signature ‘Hook’ earrings [7] and his distinctive use of inverted diamonds. Vartanian uses the gemstone as the main source of inspiration for his designs, creating the structure around the stone.
In 2002, Vartanian began to sell his pieces internationally in New York[8] and opened his São Paulo showroom in 2005.[9] This was followed by store openings in Sao Paulo (2010) and Rio de Janeiro (2012).[7] This was followed by a collaboration with Unbreakable Hope campaign of GRAACC in 2014 to raise money for children with cancer.[10]
Vartanian opened his first flagship outside of Brazil in Mayfair, London on Bruton Place in 2016[11] in a section of Baron Saatchi’s former home.[5] Vartanian’s creations have been worn by celebrities including Naomi Campbell,[5] Penélope Cruz[5] and Madonna.[12][13]
Collaborations
editVartanian has worked on various collaborations with different artists including; the Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto (2002),[14] Brazilian decorative lighting brand Scatto (2009),[15] German artist Janaina Tschäpe (2013)[16][17][18] and with Brazilian furniture designer Hugo França (2016).[6] Vartanian often designs with his wife in mind, former model Sabrina Gasperin, who he sees as a muse for the brand. Gasperin in turn, designs with Vartanian for her Sabrina by Ara Vartanian line,[19] which includes the 2011 collection Mothers and Daughters.[20]
In 2017 he launched a new collection in collaboration with British supermodel Kate Moss named Kate Moss X Ara Vartanian.[21][22]
References
edit- ^ Lazazzera, Milena (17 March 2017). "Resetting the Romanovs' jewels, and other stories". Financial Times. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Martinez, Chris (3 August 2015). "Designers de joias Jack e Ara Vartanian brigam na Justiça por uso de sobrenome da família". GQ (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ a b "Carbono Galeria - JTEA02-1 - Ara Vartanian e Janaina Tschäpe". carbonogaleria.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Sharpe, Olivia (13 July 2016). "Brazilian Jeweller Ara Vartanian Opens His Flagship Store in Mayfair". Luxury London. Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d Royce-Greensill, Sarah (2016-07-26). "Ara Vartanian arrives in Mayfair". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b c Magazine, Wallpaper* (8 September 2016). "Jeweller Ara Vartanian's Mayfair boutique celebrates all things beautifully Brazilian". Wallpaper*. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Ara Vartanian desembarca no Rio de Janeiro com loja no VillageMall". Vogue Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 12 December 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Garrahan, Rachel (13 May 2015). "More Jewelry Retailers Are Adopting Consignment Policies". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Sagradi, Renata (15 April 2011). "Ara Vartanian" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Collucci, Cláudia (10 October 2014). "Anéis de diamantes feitos de cabelos de crianças com câncer serão leiloados". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese).
- ^ Belcher, David (11 May 2016). "Opening in London on Kate Moss's Advice". The New York Times.
- ^ "Madonna usa joias de designer brasileiro em premiação da Billboard". Vogue Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 December 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "Brazilian jeweler Ara Vartanian opens his first store in the United States". Luxus Plus.
- ^ "Ara Vartanian apresentará joias na exposição "Tudo Joia", em São Paulo". Vogue Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Pacce, Lilian (30 September 2009). "Luz preciosa -". Lilian Pacce (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Ramalho, Anna (13 May 2013). "Ara Vartanian comemora parceria com Janaina Tschäpe em NY". Jornal do Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Tolipan, Heloisa (3 September 2013). "Ara Vartanian lança joias em parceria com Janaina Tschäpe em tarde cool, no Rio". Jornal do Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Ara Vartanian lança nova coleção em parceria com Janaina Tschäpe". Vogue Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 12 August 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "Brincos criados pela ex-modelo Sabrina Gasperin são os favoritos de Kate Moss". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 13 August 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Ara Vartanian e Sabrina Gasperin lançam coleções de joias". Vogue Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 7 October 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ Woolton, Carol (13 May 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Kate Moss Launches Jewellery Collaboration". Vogue. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Carter, Felicity (18 May 2017). "Exploring The Kate Moss X Ara Vartanian Collaboration". Forbes. Retrieved 29 May 2017.