Zabihi moved to Dubai when she was just a year old where she grew up and learned about people’s different cultures and tastes. Once she graduated from high school, she continued her education in Management Information System in Los Angeles. She later moved back to Dubai and worked at her family business for few months before deciding to start her own line, Jewels by Sogol.
Zabihi started designing jewelry in 2006 after she traveled to the South of France where she got inspired by the beautiful jewelry designs. “The jewelry designs were so lavishly made that I had to share the inspiration with other women,” she said. “Over the past five years of designing jewelry, I have gained more experience in this field and have learned to identify the different preferences that women have.”
Jewels’ style is unique, strong, hip and girlie by all means, and her brand is trendy, chic and elegant. “My customers are usually young women who are, in one way or another, engaged in the fashion industry,” she said. “The Middle Eastern art incorporated into each of my jewelry provides a sense of royal luxury to women, and the wide range of colors brings uniqueness to each look. The creativity of the designs within each piece gives women an edge on fashion.”
According to Zabihi, adding a piece of jewelry can change one’s outfit drastically. “A lady’s look is never complete without accessories. You can be wearing jeans and a simple white top for a day look and just add on a chunky gold necklace to take that same look to a night look,” she said. “This is why I have always been so passionate about jewelry and thus share my passion with women everywhere.”
Another reason why Zabihi loves jewelry is that it fits everyone, regardless of their body size. As a result, earrings, necklaces and bracelets make great gifts.
Her Jewels items are made with Swarovski crystals and are gold plated and finely hand painted in Italy, which exquisitely enhances their beauty. “Jewels has a wide range of collections with different style preferences for women. I mostly use bright colors to give a sense of liveliness to each piece,” said Zabihi. “The bright colors are somehow a symbol which represents Jewels, making it stand out and give dynamic energy.” Her most recent collection has neutral colors for the winter such as pearls, white, black, green, blue and brown.
One of Jewels’ best sellers are the Cleopatra earrings, and customers want more and more of this design. “It has inspired me to make similar designs of these earrings. I have also made jewelry for events such as the Formula one in Abu Dhabi and World Horse Races in Dubai,” she explained. “Choosing the colors is super fun. I have always loved colors, especially bright colors because they are very fashionable now and never seem to be out of fashion.”
Zabihi feels grateful when she sees someone wearing her designs. “I feel grateful to know that my pieces are loved out there as much as I love each piece,” she said. “It makes me happy to know that my designs make other women feel special when they use them to finish off their looks.”
When asked who she would choose to wear her designs, Zabihi said Oprah. “She is such a talented and inspiring lady. Intellectual and motivated, she is the driving force of so many ladies in the world.”
According to Zabihi, upcoming trends in the jewelry industry are mostly focused on size and color. “Big, bold and chunky is what is to mainly expect and bright colors are the main focus. Skulls, Fatima hand and eyes are always in fashion, but creating something different is key,” she said.
To her, the most important aspect of success in jewelry designing is to listen to what customers want and need. “At the same time, a designer should take risks with creative designs that stand out from the rest of the jewelry out there,” she said. “Women always want to feel special, and they can do that by wearing unique jewelry.”
Jewels by Sogol can be found in:
Sak, Sauce boutique, Bloomingdales - UAE
Saks - Bahrain
Mosaic Boutique- Kuwait
Amuse Boutique- Egypt
