At Buro247 Middle East, we are committed to showcasing and celebrating the extraordinary talent in the Arab world. With our column, #BuroSpotlights, we bring you stories of pioneering artists, innovative designers, tech trailblazers, cinematic visionaries, sports stars, and more.
This week, #BuroSpotlights Palestinian designer duo Akram Abdallah and Lena Sarsour.
When Akram Abdallah and Lena Sarsour founded Nominal in 2018, they weren’t just designing jewelry—they werecreating wearable symbols of identity, pride, and purpose. This Palestinian designer couple took a simple idea—representing personal stories through jewelry—and turned it into a brand that celebrates individuality while giving back to those in need.
Nominal was born from a deeply personal place. As Palestinian Muslims, Akram and Lena recognized the beauty in the layers that shaped their identities, culture, and beliefs. They wanted their jewelry to reflect that complexity. Starting with a single piece, the ‘Map’ necklace, which allowed people to wear their homeland close to their hearts, they quickly expanded their offerings to include letter and name necklaces. These pieces symbolized not just where one came from but who they are and who they hoped to become.
Nominal is a way for people to wear their stories. From names and affirmations like “patience” and “love” to Arabic phrases with deep significance, each piece is designed to be a reminder of the values and identities one holds dear. It’s jewelry with a message and one that resonates far beyond mere aesthetics. Nominal’s mission is to create pieces that connect with people, no matter their background, uniting cultures through the universal language of self-expression.
Since 2019, Nominal has been running the “Deed of the Month” campaign, where a portion of every order goes toward a charitable cause. Whether it’s providing bread to families in Syria or building wells in Mali, Akram and Lena have made philanthropy a core part of the brand’s DNA. For them, the impact of Nominal isn’t just felt through the pieces people wear but through the lives they help change with every purchase. For every order placed, Nominal donates a meal to Palestine.
Additionally, 100 percent of proceeds from the newly-launched ‘Palestinian Watermelon’ necklace are donated to Palestine and Lebanon.
Nominal is just as serious about quality as it is about meaning. With four layers of real 18-karat gold plating over water-resistant steel, these pieces are made to last. Unlike other brands that use silver, Nominal’s hypoallergenic steel ensures that their jewelry is water-proof, sweat-proof, and backed by a Lifetime Warranty. Whether you’re wearing it to the gym or the beach, you never have to take it off.
Akram and Lena’s vision has always been clear: Nominal isn’t just about adornment; it’s about creating a deeper connection between people and the things that matter most to them. In doing so, they’ve crafted a brand that stands out not just for its jewelry but for the sense of identity and pride each piece inspires.
ALSO READ: WE BET YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ‘TURKISH PUNK’, THE INSPO BEHIND ‘LES BENJAMINS’ FW24 COLLECTION.
