MANAMA, 3 November 2006 — Bahrain king’s wife Sheikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women, launched the opulent jewelry brand Gilan in a private ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa.
Gilan, sponsored by Asia Jewelers, invited select guests to a specially-guided tour to experience the internationally-acclaimed designs which American Vogue has hailed as “serotonin-inducing”, and have appealed to royalty and celebrities alike, according to a press release.
Guests began their tour in a minimalist setting of all white surroundings, then emerged into a dim hall evoking an exclusive art gallery where each piece was revealed individually, and its historical significance, rich culture, fusion of abstract symbols, and point of inspiration were all divulged.
“Each piece is considered a piece of art, so much so that, while guests mingled in the reception area prior to beginning their special tour, we displayed sketch books depicting the jewelry designs at their formative stages, much like a Van Gogh or a Da Vinci,” explained Muharrem Gilan, the president of the company.
Guests were exposed to three of Gilan’s most enchanting collections: Saressa, Princesses and Classic.
“The Saressa collection entices with its unique and alluring use of falcon wings, symbolizing timeless freedom. In the Ottoman era, one of the most important hobbies of sultans was hunting by using falcons: Saressa’s form conjures up a divine journey of adventure, beauty and discovery.
“The Princesses collection refers to the colorful and joyful lives of princesses in the Ottoman period, and the Classic collection, mostly comprising nightwear, is the ageless symphony of diamonds that will please the most scrupulous palate,” Muharrem said.
“Gilan has discovered that every woman has her own spiritual world: her own unique lifestyle, and creates jewelry that shines a glittering spotlight on that world,” he added.
The founders Ferhan and Muharrem Gilan, began designing jewelry in a 1.5-square-metre workshop in Bursa, Turkey. The Gilan brand opened its first store in the Akmerkez shopping center in Istanbul- a center which retains its status as one of Europe’s most prestigious malls. Today, Gilan’s New York boutique on the upscale 5th Avenue neighbors the likes of Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Van Cleef and Arpels, and the brand also has boutiques and showrooms in Paris, Moscow, Istanbul, and Baku.
The Company plans to establish two sales points in the Middle East by the end of 2008.
