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Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ Collection
Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
Two one-of-a-kind “Beluga Spout” rings from Zahn-Z. The ring at left features a 1.70-carat elongated cushion-cut grey spinel set in 14-karat yellow gold ($6,800), while the ring at right showcases a 2.24-carat elongated cushion-cut mandarin garnet set in 14-karat yellow gold ($8,800).
New York—Zahn-Z has released its latest collection, “Beluga.”
It marks the third collection for the brand, which was founded by designer Hiba Husayni in 2021.
As the name implies, Husayni looked to the beluga whale as her muse for the collection, inspired by the marine mammal’s robust, streamlined physique.
However, it was specifically the melon-shaped head of the whale—which is both striking yet somewhat disproportionate—that Husayni was inspired by the most when designing her chunky 14-karat gold pieces.
“Whales, in general, captivate me. Blue whales are like submarines of the ocean—they even remind me of the structure of the Heydar Aliyev Centre [in Azerbaijan], which inspired the ‘Zaha’ collection. Orcas, on the other hand, are a bit too intimidating, so I stayed away from them,” she said.
“Belugas, though, are something else. They’re comical, social, and the beatboxers of the ocean with their ever-changing melon heads. The more I learned about them, the more inspired I became.”
Throughout the collection’s 28 earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings, there are design elements referencing the unique curvature of the beluga’s head, the elegance of the blowhole, and the fluidity of the fluke.
It marks the third collection for the brand, which was founded by designer Hiba Husayni in 2021.
As the name implies, Husayni looked to the beluga whale as her muse for the collection, inspired by the marine mammal’s robust, streamlined physique.
However, it was specifically the melon-shaped head of the whale—which is both striking yet somewhat disproportionate—that Husayni was inspired by the most when designing her chunky 14-karat gold pieces.
“Whales, in general, captivate me. Blue whales are like submarines of the ocean—they even remind me of the structure of the Heydar Aliyev Centre [in Azerbaijan], which inspired the ‘Zaha’ collection. Orcas, on the other hand, are a bit too intimidating, so I stayed away from them,” she said.
“Belugas, though, are something else. They’re comical, social, and the beatboxers of the ocean with their ever-changing melon heads. The more I learned about them, the more inspired I became.”
Throughout the collection’s 28 earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings, there are design elements referencing the unique curvature of the beluga’s head, the elegance of the blowhole, and the fluidity of the fluke.
A pair of 14-karat yellow gold huggies with oval-cut diamonds surrounded by pavé diamonds in 14-karat white gold ($6,600)
The “Babyluga” studs with oval-cut diamonds in 14-karat yellow gold ($3,600)
The one-of-a-kind “Beluga Fluke” ring featuring a round-cut green tourmaline set in 14-karat yellow gold ($6,400)
A pair of mini huggies from the “Beluga” collection with oval-cut diamonds in 14-karat yellow gold ($3,400)
The one-of-a-kind “Beluga” slider pendant with a 1.41-carat cushion-cut Tanzanian yellow grossular
A styled ring stack with (from top to bottom) the “Beluga Spout” shadow band featuring multi-color Sri Lankan sapphires set in 14-karat yellow gold ($3,680) and the one-of-a-kind “Beluga Spout” ring with an elongated cushion-cut purple garnet in 14-karat yellow gold ($7,200)
The Beluga collection features a bright color palette, from pink spinels to purple sapphires, mandarin garnets, and green tourmalines.
Husayni said she first aimed to use only blue and grayish blue colored gemstones, along with white diamonds, to mimic the distinctive colors of the beluga and the ocean.
She eventually changed direction to focus on the silhouette and distinctive features of the whale while expanding the collection’s color palette.
The collection also includes a variety of one-of-a-kind rings, pendants, and bangles.
The “Beluga Spout” and “Beluga Fluke,” the one-of-a-kind rings, were designed to mimic the shape of the whale’s blow hole and tail, respectively.
Beluga first debuted at Couture in June, where Husayni also won a Couture Design Award in the “Best in Debuting” category for her “Zaha’s Secret” ring.
The Beluga collection retails from $2,400.
It is available on the Zahn-Z website.
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