Jewellery service is a real gem 

Former fashion model Vania Leles began her Eaton Gate business, VanLeles, in September, creating beautiful bespoke jewels for clients.

Working in the fashion industry sparked Leles’s interest in precious stones, many of which originate from her birthplace in Africa.

After seven years as a model, she decided to turn her passion into a career and took courses in gemology and jewellery design. She went on to work at Graff Diamonds and De Beers before joining Sotheby’s, where she was involved in the sale of the Duchess of Windsor’s jewellery collection. She finally left this year to start her own jewellery business, offering a bespoke service as well as designing her own collections.

“It just came out of a passion,” Leles said. “I decided to go solo because I wanted more freedom and creativity to design what my clients want.”

Customers initially have a detailed consultation with Leles at her studio to discuss their ideas and budget. She then produces a mock-up of their piece and sources the stones, before the jewellery is made by a team of expert London craftsmen.

Delivering the finished piece to the client is “extremely rewarding”, said Leles. “The expression on people’s faces is just priceless. Even the toughest businessmen, when they see the beautiful piece we have created for their loved one, just melt.”

Running her own company is a dream come true, she added. “Working for yourself is like having a baby. There are long hours and sleepless nights, but you enjoy it so much that it’s worthwhile.”