Messika: luxury jewelry to wear every day
Everyone knows the luxury jewelry brand Messika for its collaboration with Gigi Hadid, as well as its renowned clients such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. Today, we meet the creator of these jewels, Valérie Messika , who gave a lengthy interview to L'Officiel USA magazine.
Even if you've never heard of Valérie Messika, you've likely admired her work. After growing up and honing her skills in her father's diamond business, the designer launched her Messika brand in 2005. Her goal was to combine two of her passions: contemporary style and the discoveries she made while traveling the world. She started with the Move line, now the brand's flagship collection. This collection features minimalist luxury jewelry, each piece sparkling with three diamonds. The Messika brand has established itself as a favorite in the worlds of fashion and entertainment.
Diamond Jewelry For Everyday Wear
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 the red carpet or in flattering photos posted on their social media.
In this respect, 2019 was a good year for Messika. Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Lupita Nyong'o all wore the French fashion house's stunning hoop earrings and moon-shaped earrings. Gigi Hadid , the face of the brand, constantly wears these luxurious yet easy-to-wear pieces. She has collaborated with the brand since 2017. This collaboration has generated considerable publicity for the house. But her artistic contribution is also highly valued by Valérie Messika.
Demonstrating that diamond jewelry isn't just for special occasions is one of the entrepreneur's greatest achievements. Being the only French woman to have created her own independent high-end jewelry brand from scratch is another of her major accomplishments. She takes this success very seriously, drawing inspiration from her daughters and celebrating the strength of women through every piece of jewelry she designs.
“ Stay determined, ” is the advice Valérie Messika gives 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 that they must 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 4 key values:
- Lightness
- Freedom
- Purity
- Sensuality
I've been fortunate enough to work with diamonds in a free and daring spirit. From the stone's absolute purity to the clean designs that showcase it, Messika is always searching for the essential . I like to create very comfortable jewelry: the women who wear it should be able to go about their daily activities without being hindered by excessively heavy pieces. I also try to create bolder pieces. For example, at Messika, necklaces become chokers, asymmetrical earrings , and so on.
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 difficult 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. Ultimately, we succeed thanks to my creative team.
What differentiates Messika jewelry from other jewelry?
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 find your inspiration?
From everywhere. I am constantly on the lookout, whether I am travelling, admiring architecture, interior design (a field that I am passionate about), or walking down the street observing people's attitudes and styles.
Is there a specific period, or antique piece of jewelry, that you admire?
In my opinion, the most incredible piece of jewelry in the world is the 69.42-carat pear-shaped 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 high jewelry collection in her honor.
How do you choose the names for Messika jewelry?
The names of the jewelry pieces are inspired by the piece itself. The jewelry is always the starting point. All my creations begin with a blank sheet of paper. Unlike the prestigious houses of Place Vendôme , which have centuries of archives documenting different styles, with Messika jewelry, each new collection is a leap into the unknown. Although I admit to having certain obsessions that inspire me, particularly with specific jewelry-making techniques.
What role does travel play in your creative process?
I travel a lot, both for work and pleasure. 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 on a daily basis?
It all depends on my mood. Right now I love wearing the bracelets from my Move collection , named Romane and Noah in honor of my two daughters. I like to combine them with other bracelets from my collections. Layering them conveys a powerful message.
Many influential women wear Messika jewelry. How have they influenced your vision of the brand?
I'm fortunate to see my jewelry on so many incredible women. It's always a truly moving experience to see prestigious figures choose Messika , whether for major events or everyday life. 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 continue to evolve; we're still a very young luxury jewelry brand , and there's so much to do. We plan to expand into several markets in the coming years, while in 2019 we hope to increase our impact in North America.
