Cover Nadine Ghosn pays homage to ordinary objects with her jewellery, crafting them with precious metals, diamonds and gemstones (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Nadine Ghosn pays homage to ordinary objects with her jewellery, crafting them with precious metals, diamonds and gemstones (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
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The founder of the eponymous jewellery label is known for designs that are characterised by bold shapes, intricate details and high-quality materials
Nadine Ghosn's journey into the world of fine jewellery began with a childhood love of adorning herself with earrings and bangles. Though she studied economics and art in university, an internship at luxury house Hermès ignited her passion for the creativity and limitless possibilities within the industry. As a consumer herself, Ghosn yearned for pieces that reflected her personality, experience and discerning taste in high-quality materials.
So in 2015, she founded her namesake brand, Nadine Ghosn. The eponymous line quickly distinguished itself through Nadine's bold vision and distinctly original designs characterised by geometric shapes, intricate details and precious materials. What began as a solo endeavour soon grew into an internationally acclaimed fine jewellery label stocked by the world's most prestigious retailers.
In an exclusive interview with Tatler, Nadine shares milestones from her journey, including early triumphs like being stocked by legendary Parisian boutique Colette and her pieces being worn by fashion icons Karl Lagerfeld and Beyoncé. She details the challenges of striking out on her own as a woman entrepreneur in a highly competitive field, and how gaining humility, defining her aesthetic voice and cultivating confidence pushed her to succeed.
Read more: How ‘Sex and the City’ jewellery designer Mimi So forged her path as an independent creator
How did you begin your journey into the world of jewellery?
As a kid I would always gravitate towards jewellery: my sisters would ask for dolls or books, and I would ask for earrings! I never set myself up to be a jewellery designer—I was pretty much on a corporate journey. After graduating from Stanford with a dual degree in economics and art, I began working for Boston Consulting Group in New York. I later joined the luxury house Hermès; the creativity fostered at Hermès, as well as the limitless possibilities, awakened my interest in the industry and exposed the opportunities that existed in the marketplace. There were very few players doing it differently; the industry was very predictable and conventional. As a consumer, I wanted to wear pieces that reflected my personality, my character and my experience while also marrying the finest materials.
Can you share a career milestone that you are particularly proud of?
I remember manifesting what I wanted to achieve in my company when I first jotted down my [ideas for the business]. I was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, so I fixated on positive accomplishments and hopeful dreams. On that list were three things: [multi-brand luxury goods retailer] Colette holding my pieces, and both Karl Lagerfeld and Beyonce wearing them. It was a dream, but what was crazy was in my first year, all three of these things happened. I was humbled and proud, but also reassured that I was on the right path. Having Karl fall in love with my headphones and wear them for three months straight was the most touching of all. When he paid for the piece, I remember not wanting to cash the cheque and safeguard it in a frame.
Above Pencil bracelet (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Above Pencil bracelet (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Pencil bracelet (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
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Above Diamond Shut Up earrings (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Above Bracelet inspired by forks and spoons (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Diamond Shut Up earrings (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
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What were the biggest challenges when you were first trying to distinguish yourself from the competition?
I think it was cultivating my voice and gaining enough courage to just build out my own vision instead of allowing critics and industry experts to override my approach. The jewellery space is extremely fragmented and competitive, and unfortunately some people leverage ideas that are not theirs. Thankfully, social media helped protect and preserve the next generation of creatives’ vision and culture. Slowly and surely, through dialogue and exposure, I began to understand and cultivate my own voice and a unique identifiable aesthetic that formed the backbone of my brand’s DNA.
Who have been your loudest cheerleader and biggest critic?
I was both. Most people in my immediate surroundings believed it was too competitive and that I didn’t stand a chance given that I had no knowledge or connection in the industry. Building something single-handedly forces you to gain humility and confidence at the same time and challenge yourself outside your comfort zone. Building my namesake brand was almost as much of a personal challenge as a professional one, as I needed to confront my fears and build my inner voice and anchor.
In case you missed it: From Boucheron to Bulgari: The path of gender-fluid jewellery in the journey of self-expression
Above Veggie Burger ring (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Above Bold Block & Bling Block Ring (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Veggie Burger ring (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
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Above Bike Chain and Diamond Bike Chain (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
Bike Chain and Diamond Bike Chain (Photo: courtesy of Nadine Ghosn)
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Any tips for budding jewellery designers looking to break the barriers of creativity?
First and foremost, build a strong support system. Entrepreneurship is like a roller coaster: lots of highs and lows. Having people surrounding you who support you and offer sanctuary is key to you sticking through the hard times. Second, don’t be scared to jump and operate outside of your comfort zone: that is where the magic happens and where most of your evolution takes place. Third, never ever give up, no matter how negative your inner chatterbox can be; use the resources around you—mentors, books, coaches—to ensure that you don’t lose sight of your light.
Who is the godfather/mother of jewellery design? Why?
JAR [Joel Arthur Rosenthal]. Joel is steadfast and bold in his design and approach, and is extremely smart, meticulous and opinionated. He defines his own rules and plays his own game, unaffected by external shifts. My dream is to own a piece by him.
Tell us something no one knows about you and your journey as a designer?
I never went to school for design. [As a Stanford graduate,] most of my friends went on to found tech companies or work in that space, so I definitely was the odd one out when I pursued design with no prior training.
As the Regional Editor for Watches and Jewellery and Editorial Content Lead for Tatler GMT, Amrita Katara specialises in luxury watch and jewellery coverage across Asia, with expertise in editorial strategy, feature writing and interviews with industry leaders. Her past roles span luxury lifestyle media and client partnerships. Based in Mumbai, Amrita’s work bridges global trends and Asian market insights.
