More than a statement piece, the tiara is a fusion of Parisian craftsmanship and Qatari heritage. Crafted by Chaumet and commissioned by Alfardan Jewellery and Qatar Museums for an exclusive initiative led by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, the project is the natural continuation of Chaumet & Nature, the 2024 exhibition that opened a dialogue between the Parisian high jewellery maison and the natural world of the Gulf. Chaumet invited artists and designers from across the MENA region to reimagine through contemporary Arab eyes one of its most emblematic creations: the tiara. Eleven designers were shortlisted to participate in an exclusive masterclass led by Chaumet’s creative studio director, Olga Corsini, at M7. After the masterclass, the three finalists were welcomed into the maison’s world at 12 Place Vendôme in Paris. During their two-day trip, the finalists explored the design studio, learned the art of gouaches, and visited the High Jewellery workshop to meet with artisans and Benoît Verhulle, the workshop head, leading the tiara’s creation.

Qatari Aisha Alattiya emerged with the winning design. Alattiya’s artistic journey in the arts started at a young age. Her curiosity sparked while watching her sister drawing and painting; she soon found joy in sketching anime characters, everyday objects and the natural world around her. Through clay, she discovered the dialogue between nature and form. “This exploration naturally evolved into jewellery design, where art transforms into something intimate and wearable,” shares Alattiya. Reflecting on her earliest memory of a tiara, the designer recalls moments from her childhood where she used to watch Disney films and fairytales and was enchanted by their sparkle and the sense of magic they carried. “That fascination never left me”.

The tiara’s creative process embarked Alattiya into Chaumet’s workshop in Paris, where the maison’s tiaras have been imagined for over two centuries. “Visiting Chaumet’s workshop in Paris was truly inspiring. What stood out most was the quiet dialogue between centuries of tradition and modern artistry”, she reflects. “Watching the artisans at work – their precision, patience, and reverence for detail – reminded me that true craftsmanship is not rushed; it’s an act of devotion,” she adds. Alattiya envisioned a tiara that could hold both the resilience of the Qatari desert and the elegance of Chaumet’s Parisian legacy. It took 850 hours to craft the Houbara Haven, a creation that represents a love letter to Qatar. It draws inspiration from the houbara bird – a symbol of endurance in Qatari falconry – and the Awsaj plant, one of the desert’s quiet survivors, each symbolising survival and beauty in the harsh desert. It tells the story of a houbara seeking refuge among the protective branches of the Awsaj. “Inspired by the stories passed down in my family, I sought to preserve this scene through a unique lens, capturing its spirit in the sculptural form of a tiara,” explains Alattiya. Its base unfurls like desert branches in bloom, cradling natural Gulf pearls – glowing with the soft light of a shared past. “Pearls hold a timeless place in Qatar’s heritage, our first gems, harvested from the sea that nurtured generations. Their presence in the design is more than ornamental; it’s symbolic. Each pearl carries the essence of purity, resilience, and continuity, echoing the quiet strength of tradition passed down through time.”

The project underscores the maison’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary creativity, and celebrating the enduring artistry of High Jewellery. A continuation of its 245-year conversation with nature and living expressions of culture and emotion.