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By far the coolest accessories we've seen in quite a while are by the quirky Beirut based designer Zinab Chahin. Her jewelry is fun, unique and is the definition of "making a statement". Zinab has taken old Arab pop culture, symbols and sayings and represents them in her jewelry by incorporating modern designs and bright colors. We got a chance to ask her a couple of questions about her background and inspirations....Enjoy & make sure to get in touch with her if you're interested in getting your hands on her work.

Shop her stuff at UrbanSouq Boutique.

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What’s your educational background?

I was born in the US and lived there until I was 18, my mom is American and dad is Lebanese.  After high school the whole family made the permanent move to Beirut.  I studied graphic design and am currently doing my masters in design.

By far the coolest accessories we’ve seen in quite a while are by the quirky Beirut based designer Zinab Chahin. Her jewelry is fun, unique and is the definition of “making a statement”. Zinab has taken old Arab pop culture, symbols and sayings and represents them in her jewelry by incorporating modern designs and bright colors. We got a chance to ask her a couple of questions about her background and inspirations….Enjoy & make sure to get in touch with her if you’re interested in getting your hands on her work.

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What’s your educational background?

I was born in the US and lived there until I was 18, my mom is American and dad is Lebanese.  After high school the whole family made the permanent move to Beirut.  I studied graphic design and am currently doing my masters in design.

How did you start designing jewelry & what inspired you?

I was taking apart a collage on poverty from my senior project, one of the images was a large one of a old poor arab man.  For fun I randomly put it on a leather cord and wore it out that night.  Everyone loved it and from then I started making my own jewelry only for myself, something different to stand out.  People started to buy them off of me as I wore them, and about a year later I started to make jewelry as something to actually sell.

What kind of statement do you want your jewelry to make?

My jewelry is for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd.  Perhaps in a small way with small earrings with the image of Fayrouz or on a large scale by a huge size ring with toz 3lek on it.   My designs are all centered around the arab culture specifically quirky Lebanese sayings and images and old Egyptian movie posters.  Also people can create their own statement, when I’m displaying my jewelry I always carry all the charms and pictures with me so that you can create your own charm bracelets and necklaces that are unique to each person.

What materials do you use in your designs?

I don’t use any precious metals, as I want my jewelry to be very affordable.  I love to take apart things like belly dancing belts or use big antique keys.  When you have a necklace that is created from something it feels so much more one of a kind.

Where can readers buy your accessories?

I do many many events where I display my work and my facebook group is always updated as to where I will be because sometimes I can be found at 2 or 3 different events a week.  I also love when someone contacts me and we meet personally at a cafe and I show them all the work and they can buy directly.  Another fun idea are jewelry parties where you can get a group of your friends together and I will bring everything and you can create your bracelets in a fun setting.  The jewelry is also permanently sold at the shop Luanatic in Monot.