Inside Jewellery Designer Adelya Bakhtiyarova’s Lavish Wardrobe
The former interior and spatial designer – whose magical collections are some of our editors’ favourites – welcomes Bazaar Arabia into her home
Given the fact that Adelya Bakhtiyarova is renowned for dripping some of the world’s most glamorous women in her exceptional fine jewellery collections, it may come as a surprise that she describes her daily wardrobe as comfortable and practical. “I have an active lifestyle,” the founder of her namesake brand Adelya Jewellery tells Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
“I love sports, and this is often reflected in my everyday style. I gravitate towards classic silhouettes with contemporary and sporty touches, often incorporating sleek, comfortable pieces that allow for ease of movement.”
That said, take one quick sweep of her impressive closet and it’s not swathes of sweatpants and sneakers you’ll find, but an elegant and timeless collection of both archival and modern designer pieces from the world’s most exclusive brands.
These pieces have been snapped up mainly in her hometown of Dubai, where she has lived for more than 30 years, and during frequent trips to France. “I love the experience of flying to Paris for fashion week and staying a little longer to satisfy my shopping cravings,” she laughs. “The vibe in Paris is always magical – I would say it is one of my favourite cities.”
As an interior and spatial designer turned luxury jewellery brand owner, Adelya has taken both industries by storm with her creative streak. After studying the former at London’s Chelsea College of Art, she transitioned to jewellery design in 2011, launching her eponymous label after gaining her gemstone diploma from the International Gemological Institute. “The defining moment in my career was transitioning from architecture to starting my own jewellery brand, which I was able to launch with savings from my previous work projects,” the Tashkent-born beauty tells us.
“I began by designing small collections for friends and family, and it wasn’t long before I was invited to present my brand at Harvey Nichols Dubai. This helped me gather momentum in the regional market, before launching in Moscow, Kazakhstan and Paris. My background in architecture instilled a deep appreciation for detail, structure and aesthetics, which now I infuse into every piece of jewellery.”
It is this unabashed ambition combined with the recognition of the importance of the tactility and technology of jewellery that makes Adelya such an extraordinary talent, with her exceptional style nowhere more evident than in her remarkable collection of Chanel fashion. “I would have to say Chanel jackets are my ‘can’t live without’ wardrobe essentials,” she enthuses. “I absolutely love the classic little black jacket – I have the original one made famous by The Little Black Jacket book where Karl Lagerfeld photographed all the brand ambassadors and friends of the House wearing it in their own personal way. I even got a photoshoot done wearing it with my then favourite look.”
And it’s not just the fashion House’s RTW that she’s well stocked-up on, either. “My most treasured pieces are my bags which were designed under Karl, such as the Paris-Bombay Métiers d’art Matryoshka Bag, the cream Evening on the Beach Shell Minaudière clutch bag, the scarab Métiers d’art clutch and a few more, all of which I got in Dubai,” she continues. “I’ve also ordered the lambskin shearling style with the matching jacket from the A/W 24 collection. I can’t wait to wear it this winter.”
Speaking of bags, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a personal collection more jaw-dropping than Adelya’s which, aside from Chanel, is full to the brim with Hermès too. Think a limited-edition gold grizzly Kelly 32 Retourne crafted from capucine leather and a new grey grizzly Birkin 25, it’s safe to say she could give Jamie Chua – the Singaporean socialite believed to currently own the biggest known collection of Birkin bags – a run for her money. “I also have some à la carte favourites like a pink and blue Birkin and a yellow and green Birkin, while my absolute favourite would probably be the cargo Birkin. It’s the perfect mix between sporty chic and elegant, and is easy to wear with casual clothes and jeans. I love it for every day.”
While hers may be a wardrobe designed to induce envy, you’ll never find Adelya compromising comfort for the sake of fashion or, as she says it, wearing something utterly impractical such as bedsheets fashioned into an outfit. “While fashion can be about taking risks and having fun, there is a line when it comes to being silly,” she adds.
“To me luxury is found in the details and in comfort, as well as in exclusivity. It’s not just about possessing high-end pieces, but about the experience and the craftsmanship behind them. Luxury is found in the rich story and history behind the clothes, and the feeling of indulging in this history.” We couldn’t agree more.
MY NINE-TO-FIVE
From important business meetings to spending time with family, Adelya’s days are extremely well spent.
My alarm goes off at: 7.30am.
The first thing I do is: Make my bed, and then I like to start my day early by
checking emails and assigning work to my staff in Dubai and in Moscow. I also arrange Zoom calls with my suppliers and production managers.
For breakfast I like to eat: Eggs and crepes.
My daily exercise regime consists of: Cardio and barre – my favourite spot is Barre Effect. I always try to fit in a workout in the morning.
For lunch: I tend to meet clients. We do a lot of bespoke pieces, so it’s important for me to share sketches and discuss ideas in person to be able to perfectly realise their vision.
In my downtime: I love to read.
Every day I always: Walk my dogs.
I spend my evenings: With my family. My travel schedule can be hectic, so I spend as much time with them as I can.
If I go out for dinner, it will be to: Nobu Atlantis, Avli by tashas, Il Borro or Summersalt.
I am most happy when: People recognise my designs – it’s an incredibly rewarding moment that validates the hard work and passion I pour into each design.
Before I go to bed: I put my phone on flight mode
Photographer: Efraim Evidor. Styling : Laura Jane Brown. Adelya wears : Chanel
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s September 2024 issue.