A lifelong fascination with fine art, architecture, fashion and design which fueled Noof’s creative fire came to life in 2010. Noof recalls, “Every woman has a special connection with her handbag, whether it’s a dependable companion for daily errands or a glamorous statement piece. As a young mother, I craved something that transcended these usual categories. This desire led me to create my first design, incorporating semi-precious stones for extraordinary touch.
“For a while, I only made handbags and clutches for myself and my loved ones but slowly the demand for my creations grew. This enthusiastic response fueled my entrepreneurial spirit, and I launched my own line, NS by Noof”.
Inspiration and Creation
Noof is one of the lucky few who draws inspiration from a multitude of sources. The designer, who can be easily mistaken for a model herself, smiles as she reveals that the architectural marvels of the cities she travels to, and the curios of antique shops explores are some of the places that set her mind buzzing with design ideas.
However, her heart truly belongs to the Golden era, “My muses are the elegant actresses of the bygone era who dazzled the silver screen like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. When I design, these graceful icons come alive in my mind. I picture them holding a clutch as they walk down the cobblestone streets of Rome to the opera, its clasp gleaming in the spotlight.”
Sitting in her atelier in Bahrain, Noof pensively thinks for a moment before her pencil furiously sketches over the paper. She is creating a design just for us and lets her imagination flow as a geometric outline of a design takes form.
As she completes the first rough draft, Noof explains, “After the sketches, several intricate details are discussed with the factory, and after several discussions, we produce a beautiful piece that is one-of-a-kind.” Luxurious textures, exotic skins and shimmering semi-precious stones – are juxtaposed with clean, architectural lines, resulting in opulent design pieces.
The Andalusia & Laya
From her exclusive line’s debut at Jewellery Arabia to showcasing her new line at Paris Fashion Week for several years, Noof’s creations have become more exclusive and luxe, like jewellery pieces that can define one’s outfit.
Sitting against one of her striking paintings as a backdrop, Noof tells us about one of her favourite creations. While she cherishes each piece for its unique story and inspiration, a few hold a special place in her heart. ‘Andalusia’, her very first geometric design, resonates deeply.
Asked about expansion, Noof gives us an enigmatic smile and says, “Beyond handbags, I would like to design other accessories like sunglasses, hats, maybe even clothes. For NS by Noof, hopefully will be starting a new line soon and I’m still working out the minutiae. So stay tuned.”
