Not a lot of people in this world can achieve their entire five-year plan in just one year, but Nadine Ghosn did. Armed with two years of experience in Hermes’ jewellery department, unwavering dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship and pure passion, she took a pen and jotted down her dreams in her journal.
“My first goal was to get my pieces into the likes of Colette and Bergdorf. Then I wrote down the names of the celebrities who I wanted to wear my jewellery. Kid you not, Beyoncé was number one, then there was Karl Lagerfeld, Rihanna and more,” she revealed. “I remember just writing this down, and in the title, I put “what I hope to achieve within the next five years” because everyone tells me brands collapse after five years if you are not profitable. I told myself: I’m 25, and if by 30, I’m not financially independent through this, then I’ll quit.” Quitting was not on the list, so she did not. Instead, Ghosn had accomplished everything in her journal within the first year. She laughs, “It was unheard of because I had no press. To this day, I’m not sure if I fully understand the concept of press…”
Indeed, Ghosn doesn’t need us to tell you what Nadine Ghosn Fine Jewellery is about—her pieces speak for themselves. From pencils and earphones to legos and bike chains, she lends a dazzling touch to everyday objects to serve as a reminder to find wonder in the mundane but also as a means of documenting her journey in building her brand. “The bicycle chain, for example, was created based on the notion that in order to stay balanced, you need to keep moving forward. It represents the importance of constant momentum, symbolising that in life, we will inevitably face obstacles and ups and downs. But you can’t stop or give up — you must keep going by persevering through challenges,” she explains.
“For me, creativity is about processing emotion and trauma. I believe that for many creatives, difficult experiences inspire them to translate feelings into beautiful, positive works of art. My jewellery acts as a form of communication, allowing my emotions to flow freely through ever-evolving designs,” she continues. “I faced naysayers who doubted my potential. A powerful retailer told me bluntly, ‘You’re a one-hit wonder.’ Whether intended to deter or out of actual fear, their words only made me more hungry for more,” she reveals. And this hunger only drove Ghosn to develop bold, playful creations that awakened the world’s appetite for her innovative vision.
Do you remember the very first piece you created?
Many ask me how long it took to design my very first collection. In reality, it literally took me just one day. I simply created pieces that really captured the spirit of the moment, like the earphones and the battery — we use earphones and see batteries on our phones every day, and they represent energy. When I first started, it was also about me shutting things out. My “Shut Up/Shut Down” earrings were inspired by the sheer amount of naysayers who told me entering this industry was extremely difficult. I didn’t have the background of coming from generations of jewelers or being a socialite. I hadn’t gone to a creative school either. I was just trying to break into a field where, based on my profile, I really didn’t belong. That’s where my drive comes from. When I see someone trying to do something different, but people are saying, “No, you can’t.” But I think if you believe in what you’re capable of achieving, go after it. You won’t have any regrets – just lessons learned.
Did the idea of turning everyday objects into jewellery come to you very naturally?
I simply created pieces I wanted to wear myself, which happened to be everyday items. Looking back, I realise I’m drawn to things people often overlook and don’t see as beautiful. I enjoy giving items like that a sense of glamour through fine materials like 18k gold and gemstones. My goal is to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Another common theme in my designs is childhood nostalgia. I believe each person has an inner child, and as adults, we often lose touch with that youthful sense of curiosity, purity and discovery. Children are so enamoured by their surroundings and what they hold. That childlike curiosity and wonder is something I aim to evoke through my pieces. If my jewellery can offer someone a little reminder of their inner child whenever they look at their wrist or see their reflection in the mirror, then I’ve succeeded.
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Do you remember when you found out that Beyoncé and Karl Lagerfeld were going to wear your pieces?
In fact, I was not told, I was tagged. (laughs) On Instagram. Beyoncé’s “Shut Up” earrings found their way to her in a very serendipitous way. My first store was Colette in Paris, just six months after launching. While Colette doesn’t share client details, it was through social media photos that I discovered Beyoncé had purchased my earrings there. But at the time, I thought someone copied me because I was like: how the hell are my earrings in the hands of Beyoncé? I’m in one store, so it really was one shot, one go. It’s very, very serendipitous. The rise of Instagram during that time levelled the playing field for emerging creators to gain followers and recognition. Editors started noticing my feed. Within a year, I remarkably achieved my entire goal list, even collaborating with McDonald’s because everyone knew me as “the burger girl”, and no one dared to touch what had become so distinctively me.
I heard you didn’t want to cash Karl Lagerfeld’s check, is that true?
Thank God I still have a picture of it because it wouldn’t have happened. Karl Lagerfeld is a creative genius, and I had even more respect for him when I met him. He was wearing the headphones for three months and apparently, his team told me he wouldn’t take it off. (laughs) He put me in the front row for his shows, and there I was, 28 years old, wondering, “Why am I here?” I felt so supported. It was really touching, and it was exactly the energy I needed to continue the momentum. What people don’t talk about is how lonely entrepreneurship can be. It’s one of the biggest challenges, walking alone into situations where you have to stand up for yourself and your vision.
How do you feel about your Hong Kong Art Basel debut?
Anyone who knows me well is aware that I have the biggest crush on Hong Kong. There is a very powerful energy in this city. When I graduated from Stanford, I wanted to do consulting work in Hong Kong. I had taken a semester abroad cruise ship program in college, where one of our stops was Hong Kong. Upon arriving, I was instantly in love – that was my first introduction to the city. My affinity for Hong Kong really began in 2011, and I jumped at any opportunity to visit. I’ve lived here for months at a time, so I have a tight-knit group of friends in the city. Hong Kong is my go-to place and somewhere I feel very comfortable. It’s one of my key hubs in Asia, and many of my clients and contacts are based here. So what better time to share my pieces with Hong Kong than during Art Basel, when the city is bustling with people from diverse backgrounds and interests coming together?
If you were to create a piece on an everyday object or food in Hong Kong, what would you create?
A char siu bun. A char siu bun, to me, is one of the most indicative things of this city, just like bubble tea in Taiwan. It’s one of my favourite foods here if that wasn’t clear enough already.
(P.S. We are patiently waiting for the char siu bun.)
Editor
Kaitlyn Lai
