The Vault

Talented designer Zainab Salman talks to us about her favourite heirlooms and unique costume jewellery trinkets

When did you get interested in jewellery?

After I got married, my mother would force me to go to different jewellers and exhibitions. This is when my interest in jewellery started budding.

What is your favourite piece of jewellery?

Currently, my absolute favourite piece is a pair of quirky leaf-shaped gold statement earrings that I purchase recently.

Where did you buy it?

I got them at the Valliyan by Nitiya Arora exhibition held at Elan outlet in Lahore. She is a renowned Mumbai-based costume jewellery designer.



Is there any piece you are emotionally attached to and why? 

My grandmother’s rani haar, it was given to me by my mother on my wedding. Recently, Reama aunty, the owner of Gold by Reama Tariq, restored it for me beautifully. I am in love with that necklace; it’s vintage and yet so regal.

Share a story with us about how you acquired one of your favourite pieces?

I saw a bangle and a pair of earrings at a shop in Mumbai that I instantly fell in love with, but we were flying back to Lahore and I had no time to go and buy them. I ended up creating havoc by crying and making frantic phone calls; the poor store manger was harassed at 6am to open the store. I don’t know how he managed, but he got the pieces delivered to my hotel right before we left for the airport. Many of our friends were getting annoyed waiting for us to get done but at least I got what I wanted!

Is there anything on the radar that you want to get in the future?

Nothing that I can think of at the moment, I usually buy jewellery very spontaneously.