Rubies, emeralds, diamonds: these are the colors of Africa for Vania Leles, using origin gemstones that are responsible for high quality jewelry.
Africa for Vanya Leles, who was born in Guinea-Bissau, means two things: pride and precious stones, with which she also implements fine jewelry collections. It is also for this reason that, for example, a couple of years ago, she created a collection of six pieces of Zambian emerald and diamond jewelry from the Gemfields mines, which boasts an ethical sourcing process.
The collection pays homage to Dido Elizabeth Belle, who was born into slavery in the West Indies in 1761 but was freed and raised in London, and for Sarah Forbes Bonette, who was presented as a “gift” to Queen Victoria in 1850, and then grew up as the Queen’s goddaughter. In short, tales of slavery from other times. But Vania, of dark skin, wanted to remember.
Fortunately, the designer had a different story: she was a model for Saint Laurent. But then she decided that jewelry was more interesting than life on the catwalk, and she studied at the Gemological Institute of America and then worked at Graff and De Beers. How to say it started from above. Upon learning of her trade, she opened an atelier in New Bond Street, London. Her jewelry is top notch, as you can see from the images on this page.
