An intense and meteoric rise has personified Leila Kashanipour’s journey as a designer, in the guise of her jewellery label LeiVanKash. Fascinated by fine arts and chemistry as a girl, Leila intended to go into the specialised field of restoration and conservation, but soon realised her true calling was in the art of fine jewellery making.

Undertaking a BA in Jewellery Design studies at London’s Central St Martins in 2009, American-born-Persian Leila was on her way to becoming an accomplished designer early on. Her striking, hand-finished pieces caught the eye of buyers in London and Dubai, who began stocking her pieces as early as her first year, hinting at the promise the young artisan implied for future success. A second year collaboration with fashion house Eskander further cemented the designer’s credentials, a successful union that continues today, with bespoke rings and pendants stocked by the stores globally.

Out in the world as a graduate, Leila took up design positions with jewellery giants Suzanne Syz, Asprey and Stephen Webster in London, building on her talents with practical knowledge of the up market jewellery business. Following a diamond course and subsequent qualification at GIA, it became apparent that an eponymous line was timely. LeiVanKash was launched in 2011, and has continued on its ascent, with many accolades collected in the short time since its inception.

Informed largely by Leila’s Persian heritage, LeiVanKash is dark and exotic, with a signature hand-finished look that allows the flaws to become features, and an intense, old world craftsmanship underpins the range. Leila both designs and produces the pieces giving them a genuine authenticity and finish mass-produced pieces simply can’t compete with.

An illustrious following includes the likes of Olivia Palermo, Florence Welch, Ana Beatriz Barros, Rita Ora and Pixie Lott among others. LeiVanKash has already been featured on BBC, Reuters as well as in international media such as The Financial Times, Vogue, Elle, Tatler, Harper's Bazaar and Grazia. Stocked at Harvey Nichols, Sauce, as well as in retailers across Singapore, China, the Middle East, and USA, LeiVanKash shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, with many exciting plans in the design pipeline to come.