#vanialeles

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VanLeles “The first piece of jewellery I fell in love with … my mother’s Cartier gold bib necklace with coloured gems and diamonds. I was six when I saw it for the first time and remember being struck how magnificent it was.” - Vania Leles, Founder ‘VanLeles’ Jewellery. Jewellery designer Vania Leles’ exquisite designs come with a nice little side effect: they’re feel-good finery. Not only are her gems and metals ethically and sustainably sourced but her collection 'Sahara' supports the charity 'Women for Women International' which helps marginalised women affected by war and conflict in Western Africa and other regions. Armed with the vision of a jewellery industry ethically sourcing their precious stones and honouring the majority’s origins in Africa, Vanleles is on a mission to bring the gemstone-rich continent to the forefront of the industry and become the first African fine jewellery house among the top international brands. Since 2011, ‘VanLeles’ founder and creative director Vania Leles has tirelessly worked to achieve this through a series of elegant collections championing vibrant colours and intricate designs inspired by her African heritage. #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #vanialeles #vanleles #vanlelesjewellery #founder #blackwoman #model #jewellerydesigner #founder #africa #african #ethical #sustainable #womenforwomeninternational #preciousstones #oceana #sahara #enchantedgarden (at VANLELES Diamonds) https://www.instagram.com/p/B62zQsRASvE/?igshid=o143yfmep5ni

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VanLeles “Having grown up in Africa, surrounded by nature to living near the beach in Portugal and, subsequently, in London with my flat overlooking a beautiful garden square – where I enjoyed the parks and secret gardens – I have always been surrounded by the most beautiful flora and fauna. When I moved to NYC for modelling the concrete jungle of high-rises was a shock to my system. Craving for nature prompted me to visit the botanical gardens almost every fortnight. Then a trip to Japan during the cherry blossom season absolutely blew me away. The ‘Enchanted Garden’ collection is a collective tribute to those special moments.” - Vania Leles, Founder ‘VanLeles’ Jewellery. London-based Vania Leles is not just one of the few women jewellers on Bond Street but one of the only Africans. Born in Guinea Bissau, Leles became a successful model in New York where, living above the ‘Bulgari' store she found her calling gazing at the jewels in the windows. It was then that she decided to become a jeweller, and after graduating from the 'Gemological Institute of America’ she spent the next 10 years learning the trade working for ‘Graff’, ‘De Beers’ and ‘Sotheby’s’. In 2011 Leles set up ‘VanLeles’ and a showroom in Belgravia. Leles believes that jewellery should be a force for good and is committed to ethically and sustainably sourced diamonds, gemstones and precious metals. “I always believed that the beauty of jewellery shouldn't start at the shop floor. It should start where it all begins - at the mines and the communities around the mines in Africa. That's very important to me. And more and more of my clients want that beautiful story linked to their piece of jewellery. This is the moral duty I have because I am one of them.” #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #vanialeles #vanleles #vanlelesjewellery #founder #blackwoman #model #jewellerydesigner #founder #africa #african #ethical #sustainable #womenforwomeninternational #preciousstones #oceana #sahara #enchantedgarden (at VANLELES Diamonds) https://www.instagram.com/p/B62y4bTgoAq/?igshid=1jugbuga1ntuz