Daniel Koren on the Inspiration He Gains From Dubai When Designing Jewellery

Hayley Kadrou   |   15-04-2019

As the New York-based jewellery designer opens a branch in Dubai’s City Walk, Founder Daniel Koren speaks to a&e about everything from why the scene in the region is so special and what his favourite piece of jewellery he’s ever created is.

After the success seen with both his The Dubai Mall and Festival City stores, Daniel Koren has opened the third establishment in Dubai.

 

And as the DANI by Daniel K Founder opens up shop in City Walk – an opulent venue featuring high ceilings, copper and marbles finishes, a private viewing area and deep blue silk glass classes to showcase exclusive and never-seen-before collections – he chats to a&e about his early love for jewellery and what inspires him all over the world.

 

Born into a family of diamond dealers, he’s always been captivated by the glistening world of fine jewels, finally to open his store in New York in 1995. Since, he’s gone on to win awards for his original designs, continuing to create and innovate.

 

a&e Interviews Daniel Koren, Founder of Dani by Daniel K Jewellery

The new DANI by Daniel K store has just opened in Dubai's City Walk

The new DANI by Daniel K store has just opened in Dubai’s City Walk

 

Tell us about when your love for jewellery started…

 

As a third-generation jeweller in my family, I have always been around jewellery and grew up breathing the life of a jeweller. From a very young age –  even as young as eight year’s old – I knew I loved jewellery and already knew that this was what I was going to do.

 

What inspires you the most when creating?

 

What inspires me most when I create is my environment, my surroundings… I am always inspired by architecture, especially in New York City. In fact, the cityscape of New York has remained an inspiration throughout my career and designs, the geometric cuts of the building remain a key influence throughout collections. Even now in Dubai, when I come here I see all of the beautiful architecture and the buildings,  that gives me fresh inspiration.

 

Take a peek inside the new DANI by Daniel K store in City Walk

Take a peek inside the new DANI by Daniel K store in City Walk

 

Tell us about opening another store in City Walk…

 

The City Walk store is probably our latest and most complete store where we have refined all of our experiences from our previous stores and brought the full package to this location including a private viewing area. We wanted to create a unique and personalised shopping experience for our growing clientele globally and throughout the GCC.

 

We have many clients who fly in especially or spend a length of time in store deciding on pieces for a special event, trip or to suit a specific look and wanted to be able to offer a memorable space where we could accommodate not only individual appointments but family or groups of friends for a luxury and private shopping experience.

 

What do you like about the industry in this region?

 

What I love most about this region is that it is in the culture to buy jewellery, for holidays and events and most importantly for family gatherings weddings, engagements and parties. It is one of the only regions in the whole world that continues to appreciate and really enjoy wearing fine jewellery for functions.

 

Daniel Koren talks to a&e about why he loves the passion for jewellery within the Middle East

Daniel Koren talks to a&e about why he loves the passion for jewellery within the Middle East

 

What’s different about the jewellery scene from here to New York?

 

The difference in the jewellery scene between New York and Dubai is similar to my previous answer, it is still very much in the culture in Dubai to wear fine jewellery and really dress up for events. The scene is more glamourous here in Dubai whereas this was the culture in the 60s/70s/80s in New York but has now become less so.

 

What’s your favourite piece you’ve ever created?

 

My favourite piece that I’ve ever created is my Uternity ring which is a patented ring design and went on to be recognised at a number of jewellery awards globally. From my latest creations and collections, it is the following piece that comes with matching cuff and earrings.

 

Daniel Koren said the jewellery creation he is most proud of is the Uternity ring that he won an award for

Daniel Koren said the jewellery creation he is most proud of is the Uternity ring that he won an award for

 

Can you tell something straight away about a person depending on the kind of jewellery they wear?

 

I can tell about a person immediately the type of jewellery they wear and can even look at their hands and tell their ring size from experience. Even if they don’t have jewellery on I can and do with many clients create tailored designs and advise on what style and coloured stones would suit them best.

 

What’s been the most ‘pinch-me’ moment of your career to date?

 

The pinch me moments don’t stop and haven’t stopped since I started my business, I’ve been lucky enough to live my dream career and whether it’s dressing a celebrity and seeing your designs on the red carpet, or a new creation, store opening or event  – the pinch-me moments keep coming!

 

Visit the new City Walk store now

Visit the new City Walk store now

 

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