Joanna Laura Constantine

The wild and whimsical creations of Joanna Laura Constantine, one of Beirut’s best-known jewellery designers, adorn such celebrities as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Jessica Alba, and regularly grace the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and, of course, Asia Tatler. The 36-year-old Lebanese American launched her eponymous brand in New York in 2008 after studying fashion at Parsons School of Design. When Joanna returned to Beirut after graduating to set up her studio, she began to develop designs inspired by the sights and sounds of the Middle East. One of her early collections was titled Byblos after the ancient city in Lebanon, and another, Petra, was inspired by the famous ruins in Jordan. Ten years on and her mood boards continue to reflect her life in Beirut but now have a more urban aesthetic. Last year’s edgy industrial collection, Organised Chaos, saw chokers and cuffs designed using metal nuts and bolts, while the playfully cool Urban Chic range was influenced by streetwear. Here Joanna recommends her favourite places to work, rest and play.

LEBANESE ZEN

From its hilltop perch on the outskirts of Beirut, the charmingly retro family-owned Al Bustan Hotel offers great views over the city but the star attraction is its spa. Housed in a restored 200-year-old stone mansion that sits within the lush hotel gardens, L’Espace is a sanctuary of Lebanese Zen, with grand archways, intricate mosaic tiling, ornate screens and glowing glass lanterns. Recharge with the help of ancient Middle Eastern cleansing and purification rituals or steam away stress in the luxury hammam. “I love having a glass of wine in the garden after a treatment and soaking up the serenity of the place,” says Joanna. hotelalbustan.com

SHOPPING FIX