Profiles in Design

Florassimo Diamante - Combining Cultures

>> Cynthia Unninayar, Editor-in-Chief

A 25-year career of designing cosmetics, clothing, and accessories has led Fatimah Sewani to turn her talents to jewelry. This spring, her Las Vegas-based brand, Florassimo Diamante, launched its first major jewelry line. Aptly named Venezia, the collection combines the bold designs of Murano glass with the delicate swirls of diamonds set in yellow or white gold.

“Color is my passion, and when I saw the beautiful pieces of Murano glass on a recent trip to Venice, I knew that I had to create a collection around them. The vibrancy of the tones and texture of Murano glass combined with lustrous 18K gold and the sparkle of diamonds has resulted in an original collection for today’s fashion-forward woman.”

The Venezia line includes pendants, rings, and earrings in a variety of contemporary shapes, sizes, and colors, sold separately or in sets. “We started with triangles and squares of Murano glass, created for us, and then softened the forms by setting them in fluid designs of yellow or white gold and diamonds,” explains Sewani. “In the planning stages are collections featuring pink gold with other delicate Murano tones and shapes.”

Each of her jewelry creations is one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, and carries the stamp of the designer’s initials on the back in gold. Retail prices for a complete set range from $3000 to $4,000.

Sewani’s knowledge of women’s tastes and insight into trends comes from many years of working with such companies as Christian Dior, as well as personal consulting with stars from Bollywood to Hollywood. In order to perfect her craft, she has also trained in gemology and diamond grading. “You can never have too much knowledge,” she muses, “and I make sure that all of the materials used in my jewelry are of the highest quality, and that the stones are GIA-certified.”

When asked about her inspiration for both her jewelry and other fashion products, she explains, “I love to travel and have been all over the world, notably Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Pakistan, India, and China. This gives me the opportunity to observe and study cultural trends and preferences. In my designs, I bring these cultures together to create unique lines that appeal to women of both the West and the East. I believe in combining cultures.”
(contact: fatimahsewani@yahoo.com)