Dubai Fashion Magazine team got exclusive interview of Aleksandra Harasiuk (GM in International Amber Association). And got to know what is the game changer will be "Amber jewelleries" in UAE fashion trends.
"From the 16th to the 18th century, the peak period of the artistic development of amber craftsmanship and the further development of contacts stimulated by amber date. Amber was discussed in elegant spheres - and altars, caskets, scriptorias and decorative vessels from Gdańsk workshops became the treasures of the rulers of those times. The breath of the Renaissance, reviving minds, caused yet another, unexpected participation of amber in the initiation of one of the most important revolutions in the history of human civilization. In 1600, the English scientist, the court physician of Queen Elizabeth I - William Gilbert, referring to the Greek name electronos, distinguished magnetism from the amber effect and thus distinguished the phenomenon of electricity.
Today, living in the age of electronics, computer science, molecular biology, genetics and quantum physics, we do not remember that the acceleration of the development of science and technology, as well as the pace of changes in culture and art, was initiated, among others, by exploring one of the mysteries of amber magic."
Our artist Giedymin Jablonski (and founder of Amber Fairs in Gdańsk, in 2020 was 27th edition of Amberif International Fair of Amber and Jewellery) wrote these words: Aleksandra Harasiuk
DFM: Tell us the Experience with Dubai Fashion Week 2020? You Visited last week.
Aleksandra: As an International Amber Association we were on IFWD 2020 for a first time. Gdańsk (North Poland) is known as the World Capital of Amber by concentrating more than 70% of the world's amber manufacture. As a IAA we have headquarter in Gdańsk, and in this city we are part of AMBERIF International Fair of Amber and Jewellery since 1994. We attend in many fairs, fashion shows in others parts of the world, but not in here. Not yet in Dubai.
We appreciate thousands years of trade tradition for cooperation in amber Muslim rosaries between merchants from Baltic Sea area and Middle East buyers. By the way - I was visited Etihad Museum this February and close to Sheikh Zajid ibn Sultan Al Nahajjan in 5 memorial items, I found amber rosary! So I was so happy to know that in UAE it is only next chapter in story called amber Jewellery!
On very first day on IFWD 2020, one of Polish designer Diana Walkieicz (DeVu company) showed her wedding dresses projects. As a final dress it was black dress with baltic amber! On Saturday all IFWD guests could see our collaboration - Diana's dresses and the best of the Best Amber Jewellery from awarded artist and designers associated in IAA as: ART7, S&A, A2 Jewellery, CHILLI Jewellery and PRESTIGE Ambert Gallery!
Cheryle Dias's team was so professional in arrange perfect show for our projects that we are really enjoy this show as a part of them. I hope all guests have the same feeling.
DFM: How you see Polish Amber Fashion's future into region specially in UAE?
Aleksandra: Oh we are here already! Few amber designers cooperate with stores in UAE.
Offcourse we are looking for more and more interest in here. Especially in Dubai. Personally I am in love in spirit of this place - in it openess, diversity, place you can find a lot of opportunities. This is the place of awesomeness for many people and they prove by their achievements they feel it everyday. For amber Jewellery it is perfect place. It is magic power of 40 million year stones who was waiting to be found and polished. Imagine that all amber's Jewellery bring the history of millions years in one piece that you wear in ring, necklace or earrings and you cannot find the same piece of amber in the nature! What a mysterious connection you can find having it close to body. Dubai is great place open for much more than pearls, diamonds or corals. Something such unique and full of spirit like amber will find place in the heart of people form Middle East who appreciate beauty for thousands years. And we have what they are looking for!
DFM: How Poland's Amber Art can be benefitted from Fashion Capital of Middle East i.e. Dubai?
Aleksandra: I think we are ready to answer "yes" for Dubai call: we are humble of being the number one! What I mean we have thousands of years of tradition of craftsmanship, being the best in Baltic amber art, being close to luxury and palaces for decades. For questions if is it not so old-looking designs or shapes we have many answers. You are more than welcome on AMBERIF to check it. You are more than welcome to see our Instagram because our modern design is present in US, China, France, UK. Dubai will shine on EXPO 2020 and will show to everybody in the world how modern and open is for next centuries. We will be present in Polish Pavilion as well with amber designs to support this story. To explain why amber effect from year 1600 is so important for innovations in 2021. And this innovations we can use for human's achievements now.
DFM: How you see Amber fashion brands from Poland coming to UAE is benefitting each others country and culture?
Aleksandra:In now a days, artists are living in "new normal". Globally we face the climate crisis which affects fashion industry, we see changes in customer needs and we more and more looking for huge change in way we are living. Many of us are born in one country but educate in other part of world and then working in another place. So Polish brands, as a part of European Union, we are looking for these answers.
Poland is located between West Europe and Asia. In our history you can find many influences from Far East, Middle East and from West Europe mixed in art and design. I think UAE is also close to this because of its location on trade ways for many centuries is similar. So when we are here as a Polish designers we are discovering our "east part of soul" and we can offer different kind of projects. On the other hand, Polish designers travelling a lot. They are well educated and open minded. Do you know this names: Helena Rubinstein (cosmetics), Antoni Patek (luxury watches Patek Philippe) or Max Factor (cosmetics)? They were Polish. We are definitely very talented, but we have to speak much more loudly about POLAND and POLISH brands. You can be sure, you will know us very well soon in UAE :)
About Aleksandra Harasiuk
Aleksandra Harasiuk, General Manager in International Amber Association (amber.org.pl), amber passioned and addicted to trade stories, history and fashion. Founder and President of "Hevelius" Dubai-Pomeranian social and cultural Association (hevelius.org.pl) and founder of Lean in Poland (organisation who support women in the workplace - Leanin.org founded by Sheryl Sandberg COO Facebook)
