Know 7 Women Jewelry Designers in 2021 Middle Eastern Brands

Forbes Middle East has revealed its third annual ranking of the leading 40 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands 2021, featuring female entrepreneurs behind some of the region’s most well-known brands across beauty, fashion, jewelry, accessories, handbags, and footwear categories.

The list was based on the brand’s celebrity endorsements, social media following, geographic presence, years of experience, and media coverage. It included 7 pioneers in the jewelry sector:

Jewelry Designer Azza Fahmy ranked third, for her Brand: Azza Fahmy Jewelry, which was established in 1969 in Egypt.

She is a researcher, author, and designer; she reflects the Middle East’s culture, heritage, and art through her contemporary jewelry pieces. In 2015, she also established an independent teaching institute, the Design Studio by Azza Fahmy (DSAF).

Last year, Fahmy launched vocational training in jewelry making, funded by the DROSOS organization, to train 200 young people. Her designs have been worn by celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, Raya Abirached, and Yousra. Fahmy’s two daughters, Fatma and Amina Ghali, are the company’s Managing Director and Head Designer, respectively.

Palestinian Jewelry Designer, Dima Rashid, ranked 4th for the Dima Jewellery brand, which was established in 2002, in Egypt.

Dima crafts high-end jewelry made of 18-carat gold, diamonds, and gemstones from her studio in Cairo. Her designs have been worn by royals and celebrities, including Queen Rania of Jordan, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, Gigi Hadid, Vanessa Williams, Susan Sarandon, and Eva Mendez.

According to the brand, it witnessed a more than 49% increase in its total revenues in 2020 compared to 2019, and it sold 34.6% more units. Dima Jewelry has invested in setting up a factory to increase the brand’s product line over the last year.

Jewelry Designer, Jude Benhalim, ranked 10th for the Jude Benhalim brand. She established her jewelry brand in 2011 in Egypt,

Benhalim founded her namesake jewelry brand in 2011 when she was just 17 years old. Her pieces have been worn by celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, Adriana Lima, Joey King, and Shay Mitchell. Her designs are inspired by architecture and her Middle Eastern roots. Benhalim has opened three stores in Egypt, with a fourth opening later this year. In 2020, Benhalim introduced a feature on her website that allows consumers to try on her pieces virtually.

Lebanese Jewelry Designer, Nadine Kanso, came in 15th place, as she launched her first work as a jewelry designer under the title Bil Arabi in 2006 in the UAE,

Kanso established Bil Arabi and created her first piece of jewelry, a ring named “noon,” in 2006. She uses her background in graphic design and typography to create her pieces using Arabic calligraphy. Kanso has collaborated with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Christofle, Bernardaud, Maserati, as well as Emirates Airlines.

Her collaboration with watchmaker Gagà Milano in May 2020 saw them release a unisex limited edition watch for USD 1,500. Kanso’s designs have been seen on celebrities such as Zaha Hadid, Kim Kardashian, Youssra, Kylie Minogue, Lupe Fiasco, and Dita Von Teese.

Egyptian-American Jewelry Designer Amany Shaker came in 31st place. She launched her jewelry brand (AMMANII) in 2015.

Shaker launched her jewelry brand AMMANII in 2015, drawing inspiration from her background in female empowerment. The Cairo- and LA-based brand has since been seen on celebrities such as Salma Abu-Deif, Jessie J, Normani, Shay Mitchell, Chrissy Teigen, and Demi Lovato. The brand has participated in Paris Fashion Week, and its products are sold at retailers such as Harvey Nichols.

Lebanese jewelry designers, Dima and Tania Nawbar, came in 32 places. Their L’Atelier Nawbar jewelry brand was established in Lebanon by the Nawbar family in 1891.

Jewelry brand L’Atelier Nawbar was founded in 1891 Lebanon by the Nawbar family. Four generations later, sisters Dima and Tania Nawbar are the first female jewelers in the Nawbar dynasty, with Tania taking charge of business development and Dima leading client servicing. Nawbar designs have been worn by celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Gigi Hadid, Demi Moore, Joey King, and Hilary Swank. In 2020, the brand expanded its workforce from 40 to 100 artisans.

Moroccan Jewelry Designer, Bouchra Ezzahraoui Darwazah, ranked 35th.

Bouchra Ezzahraoui Darwazah founded Aurate New York after a long career in finance. Aurate designs have been worn by celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Yara Shahidi, Chrissy Teigen, Priyanka Chopra, and Shay Mitchell. Bluecrest Capital invested USD 13 million in the company in 2019, and Kerry Washington invested an undisclosed amount in the startup in 2020.

Bouchra is an angel investor, a founding member of the Moroccan Children Parliament, and a member of the Visionary Committee of Friends of Hudson River Park.