Musings With Messika

With the Messika Jewellery boutique opening in The Dubai Mall, Valerie Messika sits with Emirates Woman and charts her 13-year career in fine jewellery. She tells us about creating discreet luxury, the creative freedom she enjoys and why the people of Dubai feel like family to her

- Georgie Bradley

Where are you originally from?

My father is from Tunisia and my mother is French and I grew up in Paris. I am a Parisian girl at heart.

How did you become a jewellery designer?

I joined my father in the business 13 years ago – after my studies and work in the luxury field, my father asked me to work with him in diamond dealing and I said 'ok, I'll do that' but I didn’t want to focus on this idea that ‘diamonds are forever’ – I wanted to grow beyond that. After working with him for two years, I travelled all over the world and I found there to be a gap in the jewellery market for cool and casual everyday pieces – like buying a bag or a pair of shoes but still focused on diamonds.

How often do you come to Dubai?

Quite often as of now, but it will soon increase because we are opening an office here as well as the new boutique the extension of The Dubai Mall. I love coming to Dubai, there’s an openness here that I enjoy. I feel like the people of Dubai are like my family.

Tell us about the collection?

The collection aims to be a second skin for the wearer. The pieces can easily slide on and off, they’re not complicated – they are delicate, you almost forget you’re wearing it but it still stands as a unique piece. It’s not too flashy, it’s discreet luxury. I strike to make pieces that you wouldn’t want to keep in the safe.