Intricacies of Houbara Haven: A Chaumet Tiara
In an exceptional partnership with Qatar Museums, M7 and Alfardan Jewellery, Chaumet crowned Aisha Alattiya as the winner of the exclusive tiara project put in motion by Qatar royal, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani.
Inspired by the Chaumet & Nature exhibition held in Doha last year, the initiative invited creatives from the Middle East to craft one-of-a-kind diadems through their individual identities and expressions. Eleven artists and designers were shortlisted from the open call and underwent various stages of the competition, including a masterclass led by Olga Corsini, the maison’s creative studio director, and an experience at the brand’s workshop in Paris.
Aisha is known for her mastery in ceramics, oil paintings, acrylics and watercolours that emphasise landscapes and nature. Having constructed a diverse range of products including vases, jewellery boxes and tableware, she decided to venture into jewellery design in 2021. Houbara Haven: A Chaumet Tiara pays respects to her roots while echoing the house’s naturalist designs. It tells a tale beginning with the discovery of the Awsaj plant — a resilient and thorny shrub that thrives in the unforgiving desert weather.
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It produces a fruit known for having medicinal properties with an appearance akin to pearls. The crown’s foundation takes form based on the plant’s intertwining branches. Supplementarily, the design celebrates Qatar’s falconry tradition, showcasing openwork wings evoking the Houbara bird that finds refuge within the branches during hunting season. Natural pearls from the Gulf are integrated into the piece, echoing the country’s speciality of diving for the treasure.
Crafted over 850 hours, the work was first unveiled during Qatar Creates in October and is now exhibited at M7 until Jan 12, 2026. The collaboration continues Chaumet’s legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, merging cultural heritage, contemporary artistry and high jewellery through the brand’s rich tiara tradition.
This article first appeared on Nov 10, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
