May 25, 2016: Vania Leles, the woman behind VanLeles, has launched three collections that pay tribute to her African heritage.
For the Gemfields ‘Legends of Africa’ collection, she honors two figures in 19th century history, Dido Elizabeth Belle and Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who inspired Vania to create this collection showcasing diamonds with 18 carat white and blackened gold, and Gemfields sourced Zambian emeralds.
The collection includes chandelier cascade earrings, an asymmetrical V-shaped collar necklace and ring, as well as a cross-shaped ring and cuff that wrap elegantly around its wearer. Two additional collections also source inspiration from her heritage and memories growing up in Africa, the Zanzibar collection featuring fine Paribas, and Mussulo collection, which showcases sapphires and diamonds. The blues and turquoise of the sea are shown in the pariba gemstones, while the sapphires and diamonds featured in the Mussulo collection are inspired by the peninsula of Luanda.
The VanLeles collection is available at Moda Operandi fashion retailer.
