Spotted: Maryam Keyhani necklaces

Date March 18, 2009

When our own Jordan Porter showed up for the first day of Toronto Fashion Week sporting pearls attached to a vintage brooch and an oversized blush pink rose, we all attacked in our usual way: “OMG your necklace!” and “Where did you get that?”

“It’s Maryam’s.”

Maryam being Maryam Keyhani, one-time FASHION intern and designer of some of the most beautiful neckwear we’ve come across in a long while. One of her unapologetically girly pieces has already been spotted this week adorning the neck of FDCC president Robin Kay at the Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail.

Keyhani’s necklaces (from $250, maryamkeyhani.com) are put together with pearls, pretty pieces of grosgrain ribbon and vintage brooches, along with unexpected touches like chandelier pieces, silk gloves à la Schiaparelli and antique Persian coins, “which incorporate my background and also have such a story and character of their own,” the designer explains.

While Keyhani’s influences range from Victorian fashion to conceptual art, the seed for the necklaces was planted during an art school stint in Florence three years ago. Inspired by the history around her, she created chandelier sculptures from antique lighting pieces, tulle, vintage silk curtains and other found objects. The pieces, she says, are an extension of the sculptures. “It’s sort of like wearing little chandeliers around my neck!”