Nina Yashar offers us a glimpse into her world. The design dealer and gallerist spoke to us about her favourite moment of the day, her personal connection to jewellery, and how she developed her renowned eye for design.

At 22, Nina Yashar opened Nilufar in Milan, following her father into the world of Persian carpets. But her turning point came with the landmark 1998 exhibition Tappeti Svedesi e Mobili Scandinavi—a pairing of furniture and carpets that would come to define her approach. Known for blending cultures and time periods, Yashar creates visions where past and present exist in seamless, striking dialogue, each piece telling a story that’s both personal and universal.

I love the night, when everything slows down and feels more intimate. It’s a moment of clarity when I can reflect and absorb inspiration.

My journey into design began at a very young age. Growing up, I was surrounded by Persian carpets, as my father was a carpet dealer, and that world of craftsmanship, colours, and textures made a deep impression on me. After my studies, in 1979 I opened Nilufar Gallery in Milan, initially located on Via Bigli, focusing on antique carpets sourced from my family’s business. I owe much of my design sensibility to my father and family. Early on, I started creating exhibitions that challenged traditional expectations, such as La Rosa nel Tappeto, a study of the iconography of the rose motif found in the carpets of my collection. In the late 1990s, the gallery relocated to Via della Spiga, and during that time, my collection expanded significantly. One significant moment in this journey was a trip to Sweden, where I discovered Scandinavian carpets that completely captivated me. This led to the landmark 1998 exhibition Tappeti Svedesi e Mobili Scandinavi, where I introduced the concept of pairing furniture and carpets together—a concept that remains a core part of Nilufar’s identity. In 2015, with the opening of Nilufar Depot, which was once a silverware factory, the gallery evolved into a global hub for design enthusiasts. And from then, it’s been an ongoing, evolving adventure into art, craftsmanship, and design. 

Well, I love juxtapositions and creating a dialogue between different eras and designs. It is a journey of research both in the contemporary context, but also from past historical movements.

I think it’s an instinctive response. I am drawn to objects that have a strong personality—pieces that tell a story, that challenge conventional ideas of beauty, form, or function. Craftsmanship is essential, but so is emotion. I love it when a piece surprises me, when it has an element of the unexpected that sparks my curiosity.

It’s both. I do extensive research, constantly looking at historical archives, new talents on the scene, and different artistic disciplines. But there’s also an element of intuition—I trust my eye and gut. When I see something that moves me, I instantly know it belongs at Nilufar.

I personally feel that jewellery is a form of wearable sculpture. It shares a specific language with design in terms of materiality, craftsmanship, and conceptual thinking. So, to me, the best jewellery pieces are not just adornments, but rather miniature works of art.

Jewellery has always been a defining element of my personal style. I am drawn to sculptural and ornamental pieces—especially statement earrings, sometimes layered necklaces, and always a distinctive ring. My heritage is deeply rooted in intricate and symbolic jewellery traditions, which have undoubtedly shaped my appreciation for the deeper meaning behind adornment. I also love how certain pieces mark significant moments in life—travel, relationships, discoveries. Almost every piece I own carries a story, a memory, an emotion. That, to me, is the true magic of jewellery.

I admire people who have the courage to be fearless in their vision—both in design and in life. 

Someone like Peggy Guggenheim, who had an unmatched eye for art and was never afraid to be bold. I also greatly admire Coco Chanel. She revolutionised women’s fashion, bringing modern elegance and simplicity to the forefront while breaking away from the constraints of the past. Her ability to transform style, making it both effortless and empowering, is something I find incredibly inspiring. 

Nina wears pieces from Deep Stream, High Fluid, Stream, and Flame collections.