Messika: luxury jewelry to wear every day
Everyone knows the luxury jewelry brand Messika for its collaboration with Gigi Hadid, as well as its famous clients such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. Today, we meet the creator of these jewels, Valérie Messika , who gave a long interview to L'Officiel USA magazine.
Even if you've never heard of Valérie Messika, you've probably already admired her work. After growing up and honing her skills in her father's diamond business, the designer launched her brand Messika in 2005. Her goal was to combine two of her passions: contemporary style and the fruits of her discoveries traveling the world. She started with the Move line, now the brand's flagship range. Namely, a collection of minimalist luxury jewelry whose sparkle is produced by 3 diamonds. The Messika house has established itself as one of the favorites in the worlds of fashion and entertainment.
Diamond jewelry for everyday life
At Messika, we create diamond jewelry designed to complement everyday outfits. This doesn't mean Messika jewelry isn't suitable for special occasions: celebrities regularly wear Messika bracelets or earrings on red carpets or in flattering photos posted on their social media.
In this regard, 2019 has been a good year for Messika. Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Lupita Nyong'o have worn striking hoop earrings and moon-shaped earrings from the French fashion house. Gigi Hadid , the face of the brand, constantly wears these luxurious yet easy-to-wear jewels. She has collaborated with the brand since 2017. This collaboration has also generated a lot of publicity for the brand. But her artistic contribution is also highly appreciated by Valérie Messika.
Showing that diamond jewelry isn't just for special occasions is one of the entrepreneur's greatest achievements. Being the only French woman to have successfully created her own independent fine jewelry brand from scratch is one of her other major accomplishments. She takes this success very seriously, seeking inspiration from her daughters and celebrating the strength of women through each piece of jewelry she creates.
“ Stay determined, ” is Valérie Messika’s advice to women who want to make their mark in spheres still dominated by men. “ Never give up, set your priorities, and stay passionate. I try to remind women to embrace their femininity. ”
Interview with Valérie Messika
How do you reconcile your training as a diamond cutter with contemporary jewelry?
My motto is " less is more ." My collections are centered around four key values:
- Lightness
- Freedom
- Purity
- Sensuality
I was lucky enough to be able to work with diamonds in a free and bold state of mind. From the total purity of the stone to the clean designs that highlight it, Messika is always looking for the essential . I like to create very comfortable jewelry: the women who wear them must be able to go about their daily lives without being bothered by excessively heavy pieces. I also try to create more daring things. For example, at Messika, necklaces become chokers, asymmetrical earrings , etc.
Did you have any mentors who guided you?
Not really, but I worked very closely with my cousin Didier Cherqui on each piece of jewelry and collection. For me, the most challenging aspect of the creative process is translating my ideas into sketches. I constantly have tons of ideas, but I sometimes struggle to achieve the result I envision. In the end, we get there thanks to my creative team.
What makes Messika jewelry different from others?
Messika jewelry is not designed to be locked away in a safe. If I could give women one piece of advice, it would be to wear their jewelry every day .
Where do you get your inspiration?
From everywhere. I am constantly on the lookout, whether it is when I am traveling, when I am admiring architecture, interior design (a field that fascinates me), or when I am in the street and observing people's attitudes and their style.
Is there a period, or a specific piece of antique jewelry, that you admire?
In my opinion, the most incredible piece of jewelry in the world is the 69.42-carat pear-cut diamond necklace that Elizabeth Taylor received as a gift from her husband, Richard Burton. I admire this woman's elegance, personality, and career. In 2017, I created a Miss Taylor fine jewelry collection in her honor.
How do you choose the names of Messika jewelry?
The names of the jewelry are inspired by the piece itself. The jewelry is always the starting point. All my creations start from scratch. Unlike the prestigious houses of Place Vendôme , which have centuries of archives concerning different styles. With Messika jewelry, each new collection is a big leap into the unknown. Even if I admit to having inspiring obsessions for certain jewelry techniques.
What role does travel play in your creative process?
I travel a lot, both professionally and personally. I am constantly inspired by the cultures and landscapes I encounter. For example, the Californian desert is the theme of the latest high jewelry collection we presented at Baselworld 2019.
What jewelry do you wear every day?
It all depends on my mood. Right now I love wearing the bracelets from my Move collection , named Romane and Noah in tribute to my two daughters. I like to combine them with other bracelets from my collections. The accumulation conveys a strong message.
Some very influential women wear Messika jewelry. How have they influenced your vision for the brand?
I'm lucky enough to see my jewelry on so many incredible women. It's always a thrill to see high-profile figures choose Messika . Whether for big events or everyday wear. For example, Beyoncé regularly wears Messika jewelry. This inspires me to create jewelry for the red carpet.
Do you have any projects you would like to talk about?
Everything is happening so fast for Messika. Like a dream. I hope we will continue to evolve; we remain a very young luxury jewelry brand , there is so much to do. We plan to expand our activities in several markets in the coming years, while in 2019 we hope to increase our impact in North America.
