Exclusive Interview: H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa Al Nahyan

H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa bin Saif Al Nahyan, connects with women from all walks of life to share her passions, thoughts, memories and experiences. She talks to us about work, life, and success.

What is the core identity of the brand?

the brand is about embracing who you are and being meaningful in all that you are. It is about self-love, roots and belonging. I celebrate this with explorations of my own and the women that I know around me. Each piece tells so many stories and are born to remind the wearer that she is loved.

How does your background inspire your pieces?

I come from a linage of storytellers, visionaries, and pearl merchants. Each one of my ancestors exist within me, as I celebrate them, I also look to create a forward vision that is inspired by their teachings and their wisdom. I am very rooted to my background and find it exciting that we look inwards much more and dream of making that our outward reality too.

What sparked your passion for jewellery design?

The need to share something sentimental with loved ones, I felt like I had unique messages for the unique people in my life, when I wanted to gift something, I felt the best way was to create it. That is how it all started, the women loved the stories and gravitated towards them, I had more to say, and that’s just how it all started and continued to lead us to where we are today.

What inspired you to create ‘The Lulu Hearts Collection’?

The Lulu hearts collection is very sentimental, timeless, and ageless, it’s inspired by the stories of my great grandfather, of the pearls he traded, and brought home with love, of the generosity in our culture of gifting and offering. At that time the pearl was not a central part of the jewellery, what mattered was her gold, and so historically we traded the pearls for gold. All of this comes together to inspire making the pearl the centrepiece of the creation, surrounding it with little hearts and lots of love and lifting it to its deserved place. I love that we used Emirati Pearls as a base and was so proud to do that, the recent addition, the winter capsule welcomed the addition of the Tahitian Pearl, I wanted to be inclusive, to add a layer that says different is beautiful too.

What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

Be passionate, be patient, be original, be creative and keep going no matter what. It’s a tough road and very few survive it, so get ready for the challenges ahead, face them with courage and the need to succeed.

What do you think of the development of women in the Middle East?

Wow that’s a huge question! I love the Middle Eastern woman and how she has evolved throughout generations. I find her to be exceptionally well rounded in many ways, rooted and globally minded, outspoken and composed, sentimental and practical. I find we have such great support systems in our culture that allows a woman to be wise and independent while not losing herself in the process. Women are connected to their ancestors and community here there’s a beautiful sense of belonging and individuality at the same time.

How has 2020 affected you and what is your 2021 resolution?

I don’t believe in resolutions; it feels like a resolve of something that was not working before. If I was to sum up 2020, it was a year of resolve, of unique learnings that were life changing in some ways. It was a difficult year, but we survived it, and in that comes the belief that if we can make it through that then we can make it through. So this year is about strength, and growth and hope for the future.

What is next for MKS Jewellery?

Newness, collection wise we will be seeing some new pieces which I am very exciting about launching very soon, the Unity collection with be previewed on the 28th of January, so be sure to follow us on Instagram @mksjewellery to see it first!

Your favourite jewellery brands?

I don’t have specific brands that I favour, I do have pieces that I love, from everyday stacking rings to statement earrings and more, as long as they have a story and sentiment. That’s what I prefer in jewellery.

Don't forget to check our recent interview with Saudi Entrepreneur Adwa Al Dakheel.

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