Photographer: Malik Tajamul Model: Greta
How it all started...
This is definitely one of the most personal designs I have ever created. It all started with my mum asking me if I wanted to have my late grandma's pearls. As they were very aged and not suitable for regular wear, I took upon a challenge to upcycle them and give them a new life in my design submission for Found & Foraged Flower Design Contest by Fleurvana. You can see them in photos at the top of the flower necklace, and this is my found item for this contest.
My grandma was an amazing math teacher and a chess player. In fact, both of my grandparents were chess players, and it's thanks to them that everyone in our family became associated with chess sooner or later, including myself.
Chess teaches life lessons that normal school doesn't, and being part of this world influenced my upbringing strongly. One of the greatest lessons I learnt young was that you can predict the result of a chess game often even before the match has started simply by assessing your own mood. It doesn't matter how skilful and smart you are, but the strength of your spirit means everything. Same in real life, the most beautiful or talented person can be the most unhappy one until they start believing in their own worth.
In this work, Grandma's pearls represent a link between generations. Her wisdom and legacy were passed down to my parents and then to me. In my turn, I share this energy through my art and work, helping women to feel empowered and inspired to feel at their very best version of themselves.
White chess queen wears armour, as she is a protector of her world. Sometimes, as women, we have to wear armour in real life too, but that's alright.
If you have to, wear it in style, never forget your femininity, and keep going.
Nothing is forever.
The Story of The Chess Queen
... message behind the design ...
First of all, you will notice her elegance and grace, her natural striking beauty, and her confident, unhurried gaze.
She is indeed unhurried. She is someone who understands the importance of time.
Unlike any other queen, she is the most powerful figure in her world, even more powerful than the King.
Her duty is to protect and to fight. This is why she wears armour. She can move in any direction, and it's hard to predict her actions. But her timing is always perfect to give you a surprise attack.
Every small pawn dreams about becoming the queen one day. Only the one that will reach the opposite end of the board can become the queen. The roots and the journey of becoming should never be forgotten.
The second both chess queens are gone, the game automatically goes to endspiel, the endgame. This is how important she is.
She is brave, powerful, and resilient. It is not easy to be a woman in the chess world when all she hears is that men will always play better. It might be true, but she doesn't care. Her best defence is wisdom and self-worth. She only does what she truly wants or feels necessary.
Losing the game will not upset her. Today, she is the best version of herself. But tomorrow she will be even better. Her only true rival in life is herself. She doesn't compare herself to others, but she will always aim higher.
This is how she was raised, and this is how she will raise her heirs. With power comes responsibility. One of her pawns may become the future queen one day.
This is the story of The Chess Queen, the most powerful figure on the board.
Do you think she is a fictional character?
Only, if you have never met a true woman.
