Jewelry Spotlight: Ninoosh
If you've read this site before, you know we love local jewelry designers: Elena Coleman's tribal-inspired pieces, Sonia Boyajian's funky statement necklaces—the L.A. scene is much more than the top-tier coterie of designers to which celebrities flock.
So add Ninoosh Askari to that list. The Iranian-born designer made a radical career change, ending her denistry practice to start full-time jewelry design in 2006. With a collection that spans the statement and the subtle, needless to say it's caught our eye. We recently stopped by the Mondrian to take a look at her new creations.
Style Section L.A. How did you make the leap to design?
Askari: I've always been fascinated with color, form and composition. Designing certainly deals with these concepts, but to me, so does dentistry. When I create a jewelry piece, I am constantly aware of the scale, aesthetics, and the nature and limitations of the particular material I am working with, to ensure a beautiful and long-lasting piece. For me, the same points had to be addressed in creating beautiful smiles in dentistry, so there wasn't as much of a leap as one would think...maybe a nice transition. And, of course, it didn't hurt to learn the lost-wax casting back in dental school: The exact same technique is used for gold-smithing.
What's your favorite gemstone to work with?
Diamonds!
Describe this collection...in one sentence.
The second collection is more colorful, free-form, and carefree.
Any advice on how to best style your jewelry?
My jewelry is unique and each evokes a certain mood, so I hope the person who chooses my pieces wears them, less in a decorative manner, but rather, to express their own individuality—to relay a part of who they are, at a certain moment in time.
What are the three essential pieces of jewelry every woman should own?
The three key pieces should be universal, ones that can be worn in any season. For me, they are a statement ringa a cuff or set of bangles, and colorful earrings, to bring the emphasis to the face, like the Chrysoprase or Carnelian Drop Earrings in my collection.
What's the biggest mistake a woman in LA can make when it comes to jewelry?
I sometimes see women over-accessorizing with bold jewelry...it just ends up overwhelming the eyes with too many focal points. Pick a few key pieces and let the eyes quietly rest on them.
What restaurant in L.A. should one wear your work to?
Do you remember the old Les Deux restaurant? There was such a great vibe there, especially sitting outside during the summertime—so carefree! Every
person who walked in was noticed and greeted by the owner, the food and DJ were both awesome, and all types and ages intermingled. It was warm, cozy,
and always memorable...any restaurant that does that for you is the kind my jewelry should be worn at.
