With her opulent collections that add modernity to Middle Eastern-inspired pieces, the Lebanese fine jewellery designer and founder of Nijma M should be on your radar
I wake up at… 6.30am, but if I’m craving a little extra sleep in the morning I’ll push it to 7. I find I work longer hours on these days thanks to the extra energy.
My morning routine normally consists of… drinking lots of water! The first thing I do when I get out of bed is drink a large glass of water with electrolytes, then I get dressed, have a quick breakfast and it’s out the door to my office. I speak to my mum every morning, too.
I’m responsible for… everything at Nijma M. From the designing to the backend business, social media and everything in between, I love being involved in each of these different aspects.
My typical day during Ramadan… will look largely the same as I’m currently working on a new collection featuring reverse set diamonds set to be released soon. It will also involve a lot of emails and working on social media content.
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My Ramadan wardrobe consists of… abayas. They are so versatile, and my favourites are from Mouftah el Chark in Beirut.
My go-to beauty look for the 9-5 looks like… simplicity. Neutral brown eyeshadow, dark brown eyeliner and black mascara is the basis for my go-to and I love a skin tint for light coverage. A little pop of colour on my cheeks and of course, bold brows.
For lunch I eat… something quick like a salad with protein or a wrap which I’ll buy close to my office. I like taking short walks to help re-energise myself so I can go back and tackle the afternoon.
What I love most about my job is… being able to be creative. Creativity, I believe, is communication from the soul. Taking my ideas and creating timeless yet ritzy and modern pieces for my clients that they’ll wear every day with the aim of becoming their new heirlooms.
And what I enjoy the least is… not being able to switch off. Being a self-employed entrepreneur is a 24/7 job and you constantly think about your business.
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When I get home I… immediately change into comfy loungewear – I find that the act of changing into something different helps me detach from my day. I then put some music on, make something quick to eat and, if it’s a weekday, I’ll start my evening routine early, which consists of skincare and unwinding with a TV show.
I couldn’t live without… my phone. It allows me to stay connected to my family and friends, especially those that live far away.
When I feel stressed I… browse online shopping websites and listen to music. Arabic music is my favourite and the melodies are perfectly distracting.
If I wasn’t in my current position, I would be… a fashion/lifestyle trend forecaster.
What Ramadan means to me… it’s a time for not only self-reflection but, on a bigger scale, it is also about community and how we come together.
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- Interview by Naomi Chadderton
