EÉRA’s designs have always played with contrast. So when founders of the Italian fine jewellery brand, Chiara Capitani and Romy Blanga, arrived in AlUla for their first Middle East capsule, the setting felt like a natural fit.
For this inter-industry collaboration, Chiara Capitani and Romy Blanga did not reinvent their pieces. Instead, they translated their existing language of industrial shapes into desert tones and metallic finishes inspired by light, stone, and sand that feel considered and connected to its environment. The collection is placed throughout the rooms at Dar Tantora, inviting guests to see jewellery in a lived setting rather than a presentation space.
Here, Capitani and Blanga discuss culture, craft, and capsule in this exclusive interview with Emirates Woman.
What were your first impressions when you arrived in AlUla? What feeling stayed with you when you left?
AlUla struck us with its energy and the strength of its landscape. It’s a place where nature and history coexist in a truly unique way. As soon as we arrived, we felt an immediate connection with the calm and light of the desert. When we left, we realised that what we missed most was exactly that feeling — the serenity, the spirit of the place, and the contact with nature. Coming back to Milan, with its fast pace and constant noise, made us appreciate even more the sense of peace AlUla had given us.
EÉRA often starts from a utilitarian idea and turns it into something luxurious. How did the hotel’s raw textures and history influence that tension?
The utilitarian idea behind our products remained central in this project. We used our charm, originally inspired by the spring mechanism of our signature earring clasp, and reinterpreted it through the lens of AlUla. In the two Chiara earrings, for instance, we drew inspiration from the colours of sunrise and sunset, while in the cord necklaces we explored shades reminiscent of the desert sand, the sky, the light, and the hues found in Dar Tantora’s carpets and pottery. The natural textures and light of the place perfectly complemented this vision, creating a dialogue between design, material, and colour.
Why did you feel this collaboration made sense for your first Middle East project?
AlUla represents values we deeply relate to — authenticity, craftsmanship, and a contemporary aesthetic rooted in tradition. This collaboration allowed us to present our visual language in a new context while remaining true to our identity. It wasn’t about creating something new, but about reinterpreting our designs through the inspiration of the place. It felt like a natural meeting point between two aligned visions.
The desert inspires the palette. What made these tones feel right for this moment?
We worked with a palette that reflects the light and shades of the desert — warm, metallic, and natural tones. The inspiration came from the colours and materials of AlUla, which we translated into our iconic forms. We wanted to create a sense of continuity between the landscape and the object, without forcing it. These tones express balance, calm, and strength — qualities that are part of EÉRA’s DNA.
How did seeing the pieces inside guest rooms change the way you imagined someone interacting with your jewellery?
Seeing them in a lived-in space made them feel more “alive.” Our jewellery is designed to be worn, but here it also became part of the environment. We were fascinated by how the light and textures of Dar Tantora changed the perception of shape and colour. It offered a new way to highlight each piece’s character — more spontaneous, more intimate.
Jewellery is usually experienced in a store or on a person. What excited you about placing it in a living space instead?
We wanted to explore a new way of experiencing jewellery beyond the body. In a living space, it becomes a design element, part of an architectural dialogue. Our iconic shapes, displayed within Dar Tantora, interact naturally with the materials and light of the setting. It’s a conversation between craftsmanship, aesthetics, and space, which is why we displayed them on colored stones inspired by the desert rocks. It’s as if the jewellery were living not on a person, but within the nature of AlUla itself.
What do you hope guests feel when they discover the collection in such an intimate environment?
We hope the discovery feels spontaneous, not staged. That guests approach the pieces as design objects, recognising in them the quality and coherence of our language. It’s more of a sensory than a visual experience — about perceiving an atmosphere. We like to think of the collection as something alive, meant to be observed with curiosity.
How do you see Italian craft sitting alongside Saudi cultural heritage? Where did you find common ground – how did you balance this?
There’s a shared sensitivity between the two cultures — both value time, craft, and quality. Craftsmanship is a universal language that builds genuine connections. We didn’t seek contrast but balance. Our approach to design, based on precision and simplicity, blended naturally within the AlUla context.
Travel clearly plays a role in your creative process. What did AlUla unlock for you creatively?
AlUla taught us to slow down and observe. It’s a place that forces you to look more closely and appreciate the details. The experience reminded us how powerful simplicity can be. After that trip, we felt the need to focus on essence, proportion, and material. It was a moment of creative clarity.
Who is the woman you imagined wearing this capsule?
She’s an independent, curious woman who chooses what truly represents her. She has a thoughtful approach to fashion and design. She values pieces made with care, with a story and a sense of coherence. She doesn’t seek extravagance, but authenticity. She’s the woman who has always embodied EÉRA — decisive, contemporary, and a traveller at heart.
What makes this collaboration meaningful to the brand?
This collaboration allowed us to bring our iconic pieces to life in a new context without changing their essence. The inspiration of AlUla — its colours, materials, and light — added a new dimension to our visual language. It’s a project that speaks of cultural connection and aesthetic consistency. For us, it represents a natural step in the brand’s evolution while remaining true to who we are.
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Images: Supplied and Instagram @eera
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
