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Lebanese jewellery on display at the Chamber

The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce was delighted to host an exhibition of fashion jewellery from the collection of well known Lebanese fashion designer Kevork Khatcherian from 8 to 10 June.

Kevork’s hand-made rings, necklaces and bracelets in a range of shapes, colours and sizes represent a celebration of the artistry, creativity and sophistication of the Arab World.
Opening the exhibition, Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General & CEO of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, said “The Chamber performs a unique role in fostering closer relations between Britain and the Arab countries through the promotion of business and trade in their widest sense.
“We recognise that the cultural and the creative industries, of which art and design are a part, are increasingly important aspects both of the modern economy and the strong and diverse relations enjoyed by our countries. 
“The Chamber is very pleased to be able to play its part in helping bring these products of his unique collection of jewellery to the attention of a wider audience here in London,” Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby concluded.

(Left to right) HE Dr Alia Bouran, HE Abdulaziz Al-Hinai and Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby

Kevork Khatcherian is a leading practitioner of the craft and artistry found among jewellery manufacturers in the Arab World.
The jewellery industry is an extremely lucrative business and the Arab World constitutes one of the largest jewellery markets in the world after the United States, China and India with 10 percent of the world total.
Globally the market for jewellery is valued at approximately $146 billion annually of which the combined GCC market value represents $14.5 billion.
Across the Arab world shopping is serious business and the appetite for jewellery remains undiminished despite recent global economic difficulties.

While top quality jewellery made with gems and precious metals are always in huge demand, there is also a growing market for sophisticated art jewellery which is prized for its originality of design and creativity.
Kevork’s work under the brand name Arvesti reflects the richly diverse cultural history and heritage of Lebanon, the country of his birth, where jewellery making has a strong heritage and which today constitutes one of the country’s major export industries. 

For over 20 years, he has specialised in the creation of hand-made fashion accessories such as necklaces, bracelets and rings designed with fine craftsmanship. His aesthetic creations have won many appreciative customers around the Middle East and the Gulf in particular.
The event at the ABCC was Kevork’s second major exhibition in London but his first as a lone exhibitor, he told us; the first occurred two years ago at the Kensington town hall as part of a Lebanese cultural festival.

Kevork says that he was originally inspired to start designing jewellery as a youth when he heard family stories about his grandfather who was a celebrated silversmith in Turkey before the First World War.
His family only possessed one treasured artefact, a silver dining fork, crafted by his grandfather since he had to flee Turkey under the deeply tragic circumstances as part of the forced removal of fellow Armenians, Kevork recalled.
His designs are now exclusively for women and Kevork says that his inspiration is to please his customers and make them look beautiful.

He started his own business when he was in his early 20s working alone and selling his products in the local souk. Gradually he gained a reputation for originality and established his present company Arvesti some 15 years ago.
Kevork continues producing the original designs for his exclusive products, but the jewellery is now manufactured by a small dedicated team of five skilled craftsmen at the company’s factory in Beirut, he says.
The jewellery is made out of semi-precious stones and copper, which Kevork says is a flexible metal to work with; the copper is protected and gold plated to preserve the colour and quality of the merchandise.
The company obtains its regular supply of materials from Austria and the Czech Republic which allows it to meet orders and produce items for different markets.
Gold remains the preferred metal for jewellery bought by customers in the Middle East, while silver was more popular in Europe, Kevork says. 

Arvesti is now renowned for its range of costume jewellery which is much sought after and worn on social occasions such as the weddings of wealthy families in the Middle East as well as royal families in the Gulf.
Kevork tells us that his most expensive creation was a wedding dress studied with jewels and pearls which was made for a princess at a cost of $20,000.
He is proud that he has attracted some big customers in the Arab World including the Lebanese singer Feyrouz, the Beirut theatre and the Miss Lebanon competition.

Kevork Khatcherian is a household name across the Middle East and he is a well known personality on the Arab media and in the social and cultural life of his city Beirut.
Over the last eight years he has gradually been making inroads into the highly competitive European market and his work is now increasingly popular among the fashion industries in Rome and Paris, where he now exhibits every year.
Concluding, Kevork says that his big “dream” is to break into the London market.
For further information about Arvesti and its products see: www.arvesti.com