Durrah Khalil is the Creative Director and Designer at Durrah Jewellery - a British luxury jewelry brand. With a first name translating to “precious pear” in Arabic, it’s no coincidence that Durrah was naturally drawn to the world of precious stones. After years of working for the industry’s top brands, such as Mouawad and Tiffany & Co., Khalil launched her own label in November 2013 with an aim to create luxurious and timeless pieces that were easy on the pocket. Read on as Durrah shares her journey to creating the life of her dreams.

HIFMP: HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY WITH JEWELRY START?

DK: I had developed an interest in jewelry as a very young girl. I remember my mother used to dress me up in precious jewelry for parties and celebrations. My intrigue was aroused when I saw how much importance my mother placed on these pieces. I was only allowed to wear them when I was responsible enough to understand their value and importance. I can still remember feeling like a princes while wearing the pieces. I was captivated without realizing that my love for diamonds would be forever!

HIFMP: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOTHER’S RELATIONSHIP WITH JEWLRY?

DK: My mother has always been intrigued by jewelry and enjoyed learning about different brands. When my family travelled to new cities in Europe, my parents would always take me and my sisters for strolls and one of the highlights has always been admiring the window displays of jewelry and watch shops. My father always insisted we learn the historic value of all the different brands. I never knew that it would become so valuable to me almost two decades later!

Necklaces from the Chain Collection by Durrah Jewellery

HIFMP: WHEN DID YOU ENTER THE INDUSTRY?

DK: I entered the industry in 2006, when I started working for Mouawad and Tiffany & Co. I then went on to study diamond grading, jewelry design and jewelry manufacturing at the Gemological Institute of America and at London's University of the Arts. Throughout that time, I continued designing bespoke pieces using precious metals, which are now part of my own brand, Durrah Jewellery.

HIFMP: YOU HAVE A VERY DISTINCT DESIGN STYLE. WHAT HAS INFLUENCED YOUR DESIGN AESTHETICS?

DK: When I finally got the courage to leave Tiffany & Co. I felt as though I was having a coming out party to the world. Working for such an amazingly renowned brand meant that it was part of my DNA for a while, so once I could design my own pieces I felt liberated.

The first pieces I designed were part of the Chain collection. I felt a sense of freedom that I wanted to share with everyone. Self expression is so important as I believe that our actions say a million words.

HIFMP: WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM WHEN DESIGNING A NEW COLLECTION?

DK: My environment plays a very strong role in my creative process and, depending on where I am in my life, it definitely reflects in my designs. For example, I visited California for the first time and fell in love with the lifestyle and wanted to encapsulate that in a collection, which is how the pieces in the Shell collection came to fruition.

Another example is the Cylinder collection, which is a culmination of my love for my heritage and culture. I had a book which explained and illustrated ancient Malaysian jewelry and I had been a witness to many traditional Malaysian weddings as a child. I noticed that the pieces we would see were very decorative, so I wanted to take the essence of the idea and make it relevant and, most importantly, wearable.

I also have had the pleasure to meet people of all ethnicities and this is why I make sure all my pieces are available in every tone to suit all skin colors.

Pieces from the Spring Collection by Durrah Jewellery

HIFMP: DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WORKING AS A DESIGNER UNDER SOMEONE ELSE’S BRAND?

DK: I would have not been as fulfilled as I am right now, as I wouldn’t have had as much creative freedom as I do designing for myself.

HIFMP: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CRAFT?

DK: The most rewarding part of my craft is seeing my pieces on my clients: seeing how they enjoy the pieces, how they style them, and how they make them feel. When I see the passion in how they wear the pieces, I know my job is done.

Chain Earrings from the Chain Collection by Durrah Jewellery

HIFMP: WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR CALLING?

DK: I had my “ah ha” moment when I received my first bespoke order for an engagement ring. This meant that the client trusted my expertise in the field to want to commission such an important piece of jewelry from me. I was on cloud nine and smiled in my heart knowing that it would be my craft and that I was lucky enough to do what I love for living.

HIFMP: DO YOU CREDIT YOUR SUCCESS TO YOUR TALENT OR HARD WORK?

DK: I once read this at the end of an email: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” I believe that talent can give you a great foundation towards success and it certainly gets the ball rolling at the beginning. If you have someone who is talented and who does not have the drive to work hard, the person who works hard is more likely to succeed.

HIFMP: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE SEARCHING FOR ITS PASSION?

DK: Passion is something you can live and breath 24/7 that can be explored on every level, in every city, and that you enjoy in its entirety. If there is a thing you enjoy so much that it is all you think about, you have probably found your calling.

An important question to ask yourself is: “In an ideal world, what would I love to wake up to do every day?” Once you find the answer, my father’s old saying still remains true: “The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.”

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