The Designer
Hiba Husayni is a Syrian-American architect and fine jewelry designer based in New York City and the founder of ZAHN-Z®. Her work is defined by a distinctive balance between architectural precision and fluid movement, creating sculptural pieces that celebrate both structure and grace.
Hiba’s fascination with jewelry began at the age of 13, when she would quietly explore her mother’s jewelry box, studying the craftsmanship of each piece. She became particularly captivated by the mechanics of bracelet design—how diamonds could be perfectly secured while still allowing seamless movement on the wrist. That early curiosity would later shape her design philosophy: jewelry that is both technically refined and effortlessly wearable.
In 2011, amidst the ongoing conflict in Syria, Hiba graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. During those challenging years, her jewelry sketchbook became a refuge for creativity and imagination. Determined to pursue her passion, she left Syria in 2012 to dedicate herself fully to the world of jewelry design.
Her formal training began in 2013 at The Design Studio by Azza Fahmy, a pioneering figure among Arab female jewelers, in collaboration with Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence. In 2014, Hiba relocated to the United States, settling in New York City, where she continued her education at the New York Jewelry Design Institute and became a certified CAD designer. She went on to build an extensive career as a Creative CAD Designer for a prominent luxury jewelry company, developing bespoke pieces for several well-known jewelry houses.
In 2023, Hiba earned the title of Certified Diamond Grader from the Gemological Institute of America and debuted her first high jewelry collections—ZAHA and Sadaf—at the prestigious Couture Show in Las Vegas after being selected for the DAC Mentorship Program.
Her work quickly drew industry recognition. In 2025, Hiba of ZAHN-Z® received the Couture Award for Best in Debut, honoring her emerging voice in contemporary fine jewelry. The following year, she was selected from more than 90 designers as one of five finalists to receive mentorship from renowned American jewelry designer David Yurman—a distinction that further underscores her growing influence in the world of fine jewelry.
Today, Hiba leads the CAD department at a prominent jewelry firm while simultaneously developing her own brand, ZAHN-Z®. Through her collections, she continues to merge architectural discipline with artistic freedom, creating pieces that embody movement, craftsmanship, and modern elegance.