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Dilek Sezen is a Turkish/American designer of couture fine jewelry and unique objet's D'art, an artist, painter, sculptor. She was born in Istanbul and honed her skills in the Grand Bazaar, London and New York before moving to San Francisco and opening her own jewel box studio.

Early Life
From her childhood years, Dilek Sezen felt deeply attached to her singular identity, choosing a path that requires vision and a commitment to her artistic engagement. She enrolled in a classic Italian style art school, where she studied ceramic, sculpture and watercolor, acquiring a sharp understanding of the notion of “principe,” a classic, well-defined style. After graduation, she attended a prominent jewelry design school in London.

Serendipity played an important role in Dilek artistic path, but a clear sense of her lifelong passion allowed her to master her “Art of Jewelry,” as she likes to call it. Early on in her career, she had the opportunity to work with rare pieces for international clients. Dilek has been fond of the watercolor renderings she creates with fine and brilliant brush strokes of subtle tones; she never duplicates the originals, which her clients keep as wall art.

She moved to New York when a high-end jewelry company offered her a position as a designer. A few years later, she set up her studio in San Francisco, where she now design jewelry that follows evolving fashion trends and lifestyles that blends the tales of three cities.

Dilek’s versatile style allows her to skillfully integrate such trends as the revival of folklore and use of organic resources into her jewelry and artwork. Some of her unique creations are an exquisite blend of contemporary designs and traditional jewelry of ancient civilizations. She particularly inspired by images from nature to create feminine, romantic designs. Her passion for floral compositions has built a loyal clientele worldwide.

She continuously reinvents herself with details that characterize her genuinely handcrafted, one-of a kind pieces and distinguish her from other designers. Each of Dilek’s designs is a distinctive piece crafted with superior artistry that reflects imagination, consistency, and versatility. Her line includes sumptuous necklaces, earrings, brooches, and rings as well as specially commissioned pieces.

Dilek Sezen artistic jewels have sold internationally and she has received many prestigious Awards. Her future plans include an illustrated book of her renderings as well as a museum exhibition of her objets d’art collection.

Dilek Sezen Professional Profile

Selected SHOWS/Exhibitions
•	Working exclusively with Ritz Carlton Residences 2008-2009 •	Working exclusively with Rubicon Estate-2009 •	Bridal Show, Ritz Carlton San Francisco 2007 •	San Francisco Fashion Week Boutique & “Lily Samii” opening night runway show 2006 •	Invited Signature Salons Couture Conference, June 2006 •	Invited for LA and the NY Mercedes fashion week shows 2005 •	San Francisco Fashion Week Boutique Event and “Shivani K” runway show  2005 •	Exhibited at JCK Designer Center as a Rising Star jewelry designer 2005 •	Basel Jewelry Fair, designs at De Beers section, 1996. •	Istanbul International  Jewelry  Fair,  designs  at  World Gold Council  section, 1995 •	World Gold Council Turkey  Trend books,  several designs  at 1994-95-96  issues. •	State Sculpture  and  Painting  Exhibition,  Ankara, 1993-94 •	International Academy of Ceramics, Young Artists Sculpture  Exhibition, Istanbul, 1992

HONORS & AWARDS
•	Rising Star jewelry designer at JCK Las Vegas International trade show, 2005 •	Finalist at GoldSign International Jewelry Design Competition 2004 •	American Vision Award, 2nd place, 2002 •	Finalist at Saul Bell Design Competition, 2002 •	De Beers  Jewelry  Design   Award, 2nd Place, 1997 •	World Gold Council Design  Award, 3 rd Place in two different categories, 1995 •	World Gold Council Design  Award, 1st Place, 1993 •	Vedat Ar Sculpture  Award, 1st Place, 1992

EDUCATION
•	GIA Jewelry Business School, Marketing  and  Ethics & Law, 2004 •	Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, CA Marketing Designer jewelry, 2002 •	Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, CA Jewelry Design, 2001 •	Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, CA Advance Wax Techniques, 1998 •	Guildhall University, Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, London Jewelry Design, 1997 •	Post graduate degree, History of modern art and Accessories •	Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Istanbul, Turkey Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, 1992 •	Fashion Design Certificate, 1987, Istanbul

AFILIATIONS
•	Member of Platinum Guild International •	Member of Jewelry Information center •	Gemological Institute of America,  Alumni and Associates. •	Member of Jewelry Designer Professionals. •	Member of Women’s Jewelry Association. •	Member of Luxury Marketing Council

DESIGNER

“Artistic,” “…museum quality, and “…a great story behind each piece,” are comments that reflect Dilek Sezen’s high standards and exceptional talent. She designs high-end jewelry, including engagement rings, as well as precious objects. “I view my work as an art form,” says Dilek. “I custom tailor to my clients’ specifications, then sign and number each piece, which becomes a work of art that will gain value as a limited edition to be treasured by future generations.” Dilek creates one-of-a-kind, commissioned pieces of unique appeal for international clients, using rare stones such as the world third largest blue diamond, rare red diamonds and old mine cut emerald.

“Elegant, feminine and sumptuous” is how Dilek Sezen describes her jewelry collection of exceptionally handcrafted pieces in platinum and 18-karat gold set with rare, colorful gems, diamonds and South Sea pearls, where the discreet beauty revealed by fine work and intricate details stand as testimonials of Dilek’s classical Italian art schooling combined with a touch of oriental influence.

The three-dot royal Chintemani motif dominates Dilek’s jewelry art collection, inspired from an ancient oriental design and conveys a contemporary trend. In Ottoman Art, the Chintemani motif literally means Chinese cloud. It referred to designs composed of clusters of triple balls or double wavy lines.

To complement her jewelry pieces, Dilek created a line of precious objects. Miniature bowls, boxes and frames are handcrafted in semi-precious stones like pink quartz or blue onyx and adorned with high-karat gold, brilliant-cut diamonds, as well as pearls. These treasures make unique gifts that stir the imagination of the most discriminating clientele with their three-dimensional stories and endure the test of time with their classical designs.

Dilek Sezen’s jewelry art exudes refined style, with a superior artistry suggesting imagination, consistency, and versatility and an extra touch of glamour to a day or night attire for a dazzling impression.

HISTORY

Award-winning designer, Dilek Sezen started her own collection in the spring of 2005, after fourteen years of creating for high-end jewelry houses and for her own account. She sold several designs at major international auction houses and retail stores and received many prestigious awards.

June 2005—Dilek was selected to participate as a “Rising Star” jewelry designer at the prestigious JCK International Show in Las Vegas among the most trend-setting designers in the world. Her collection’s highlights included her siletto earrings, silk-cord diamond pendants, large sugarloaf blue moonstone pearl and color matched diamond necklaces.

August 2005—San Francisco Fashion Week runway show featured Dilek’s uniquely handcrafted pieces of art. Her signature design, a cabochon moonstone ring in platinum was exclusively shown with other pieces by fashion designer Shivani K, with whom Dilek share a common thread of grace and versatility.

September 2005—Dilek launched her new collection of extraordinary custom objects d’Art handmade in semi-precious stones such as pink quartz or blue onyx. Adorned with high-karat gold, brilliant-cut diamonds and pearls, these collectibles stir the imagination with three-dimensional stories.

Her newest platinum jewel creations included a 5-carat hot pink tourmaline ring, a 10-carat amethyst pendant backed with a four-leaf clover motif, and keshi pearl cuffs with pink or yellow sapphire.

Fall 2005—Dilek opened her “Jewel Box” boutique studio in the heart of Union Street in San Francisco, where her fine jewelry and objects d’art can be viewed by appointment. Many of her unique watercolor renderings embellish the walls of the charming studio decorated with silk curtains and pearlescent pastel colored walls.

April 2006—Dilek offered her yellow sapphire cuff bracelet at schools of the Sacred Heart’s live auction gala in San Francisco. Part of the Chintamani collection, the cuff bracelet is set in platinum. Forty-five Keshi pearl strings, 22 diamond-cut yellow sapphires, and 210 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the delicate openwork clasp exclusively handcrafted in the USA.

June 2006—As one of the selected best new designers, Dilek presented her latest jewelry art collection at Signature Salons by Couture in Las Vegas. Among the gracious complements she received from retailers and editors of glamorous magazines, her favorites were “Artistic,” “…museum quality,” and “…a great story behind each piece,” which reflect a similar mind-set between art savvy designer and the trade who knew they were looking at art.

August 2006—Dilek joined the vibrant select group of San Francisco’s designers at San Francisco Fashion Week opening night at the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center. Several of Dilek’s signature pieces accessorized eveningwear by renowned Couture designer Lily Samii. Dilek’s exquisitely matching platinum jewels set with rare color spinels adorned the Couture designer’s taffeta evening gowns on ABC Channel 7 show, The View from the Bay, the previous day.

Simultaneously, Dilek launched her bold, new Earth and Ocean line of black and white bead necklaces.

PRESS BOOK

In testimony of her indisputable potential to join the best of the best in the jewelry industry, Dilek Sezen’s well-defined style keeps furthering her visibility through an impressive selection of glamorous accessory pages of fashion magazines and newspapers.

Publications:

USA Turkish Times – Dilek Sezen at the SF Fashion Week – Editorial – Sep 1st, 2006 San Francisco Fashion Week – Lily Samii’s Runway show program – August 2006 Woman International – Turkish Culture and Artistry – Summer 2006 Elegant Bride – Jewelry – Summer 2006 TJF Magazine – Winter Accessories – Jun/Sep 2006, UK