Nadine Kanso FOUNDER OF BIL ARABI @nadinekanso, @bilarabi What’s the most precious or sentimental piece of jewellery you own and why? I have pieces that I got when I was a child and some of them are nostalgic, I don’t wear them though as they are childish, but I have a beautiful heart that my mom never took off until I graduated and then she gave it to me, this is a precious piece that I cherish. What’s your first memory of a piece of jewellery? Beautiful earrings my mother wore from a Greek designer. They are super light though not small but very charming and reminds me of summer days, beach and sunsets. Do you have an heirloom or piece of jewellery which has been passed down in your family? If so, what significance does it hold for you? Not really as both my mum and dad were not firstborn so what has been passed are their own which has a great sentimental value to me. Which brand do you feel stands the test of time and which are new discoveries you love? I have a soft spot for Bvlgari, especially the vintage pieces, and I think they do stand the test of time with their unbeatable elegance. Not so new discoveries but also love their work – David Webb and Taffin.
Jude Benhalim
Sheikha Dana Al Khalifa
FOUNDER AND DESIGNER OF JUDE BENHALIM JEWELRY @jude.benhalim
BAHRAINI FASHION BLOGGER AND BUSINESSWOMAN @theoverdressed
What’s the most precious or sentimental piece of jewellery you own and why? I own several of the very first pieces I designed back in 2012 and still wear them sometimes. I guess they mean so much to me because they represent my journey – my personal and professional growth and development. They also humble me and remind me of how far we’ve come as a brand. What’s your first memory of a piece of jewellery? When I was a child, I used to love going to the Egyptian local markets to buy colourful stones and beads to make beaded bracelets. My mum used to help me set up a small booth near our beach house during the summer where I would sell the bracelets to my friends and family. I have such a vivid memory of these moments, I used to love the whole process. Do you have an heirloom or piece of jewellery which has been passed down in your family? If so, what significance does it hold for you? I have a pair of gold hoops that was passed on from my grandma to my mum and then to me. I love them, I wear them all the time. I want to hold on to them and pass them on to my children as well. I don’t think hoops can ever go out of style – they keep coming back! Which brand do you feel stands the test of time and which are new discoveries you love? I think Azza Fahmy was definitely able to stand the test of time with her timeless creations; I’ve always admired that about the brand and I love to support local brands. I recently discovered a beautiful Lebanese jewellery brand: L’atelier Nawbar. The brand is so unique and I can’t wait to get my hands on my favourite piece!
What’s the most precious or sentimental piece of jewellery you own and why? So many. My jewellery box is tightly edited there’s nothing so-so in it. The nature of jewellery is for it to tell a story and have a personal meaning. If I had to choose I would go back a long time to when I was 16. My mother gifted me a gold chain with six round diamonds – the first piece of jewellery I loved so much. It is now an essential layering piece. What’s your first memory of a piece of jewellery? My mother’s earrings! I think I was six or seven we were playing puppets and some-
Her Royal Highness Princess Nourah Al-Faisal FOUNDER OF NUUN JEWELS @nuunjewels What’s the most precious or sentimental piece of jewellery you own and why? I would say my wedding ring for the obvious reasons and a ring I received as a gift from my father that belonged to my grandmother, both of whom have passed. What’s your first memory of a piece of jewellery? I can’t say I have a particular memory but I was always drawn to my mother and aunt’s jewellery, as a child I remember grabbing their fingers and necklaces. Do you have an heirloom or piece of jewellery which has been passed down in your family? If so, what significance does it hold for you? I have my grandmother’s ring, a Cartier broach that was a gift from my grandfather to her, as well as a few other pieces they are a direct link to my family history and which hold the memories of our elders close at hand. Which brand do you feel stands the test of time and which are new discoveries you love? For me the first and most obvious is JAR but also Grima Jewellery – it is so unique I love their pieces especially from the 50s through the 70s. Those are just two that immediately come to mind. As for the new absolutely HEMMERLE. It’s an Arab woman designing but the work is absolutely stunning, one of the strongest brands out there now and I love Fernando Jorge and Ionna Souflia, a Greek designer very original – these are just a few.
F E AT U R E
EW_112020_P92-94_The Precious.indd 93
how my mother’s earrings got stuck inside a puppets head. She was distraught thinking she lost one of the pairs until it re-emerged. They were a gold clip-on No name Italian brand; she wears them to this day. Do you have an heirloom or piece of jewellery which has been passed down in your family? If so, what significance does it hold for you? Yes, from my grandmother I received a small diamond which I had reset. It is very special to me. My grandmother was from a bygone era. When you travelled with trunks and wore hats. She was very elegant, so regal and very beautiful. She loved that I loved the same things she did. Which brand do you feel stands the test of time and which are new discoveries you love? The masters of jewellery for me were Bvlgari and Cartier. The archival pieces, not the market entry products, these I feel are incredible. You can’t overlook brands like Luca Carati that are so Italian and beautifully so. I love a classic jewellery look that is perfectly finished – that’s what I look for. As for new discoveries, everything on TheOverdressed. com is chosen to reflect this, we strive to provide an edit of future classics so you love it today and tomorrow.
emirateswoman.com 93
11/1/20 2:52 PM