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Meet Jacquie Aiche, the Jewelry Designer With the Coolest Gang of Muses

Portrait of Jacquie Aiche.

Portrait of Jacquie Aiche.

Just like Olivier Rousteing has the Balmain Army and Alexander Wang has his Wang Gang, Hollywood-based jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche is chief of the “#JA Tribe”, which counts sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Shanina Shaik as official members/muses. The part-Egyptian jeweler, who launched her eponymous label from her garage in 2008, has amassed an impressive celebrity client list that includes the likes of Rihanna, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Emily Ratajkowski, who flock to her Beverly Hills showroom in droves to adorn themselves in her signature diamond-encrusted body chains, finger bracelets, and chokers ahead of major red carpet events. She’s also the brainchild behind Chrissy Teigen’s bespoke engagement ring from her then-fiancé John Legend.

Emily Ratajkowski wearing Jacquie Aiche.

This year, Aiche celebrates her brand’s 10th anniversary, and she has plenty to be proud of. Here, Vogue.me catches up with the jeweler to discuss her earliest jewelry memory, favorite red carpet moment, and how her Middle Eastern heritage inspires her designs.

What is your earliest jewelry memory?

“As a little girl growing up in the Hollywood Hills, I was always attracted to gemstones and minerals. I would collect rocks and make them into jewelry pieces for my family. It felt like an adventure to find the crystals and an art to then create something with them. I just instantly fell in love.”

Why did you decide to launch your own label?

“I was working in a boutique and never could find jewelry that I was drawn to. I wanted something that was feminine, playful, and strong. I started designing pieces that I would want to wear, and selling them anonymously. When I received such a positive response from women, I knew this was what I was meant to do. Since then my line has truly had a life of its own.”

What is the most special piece of jewelry that you gifted to someone else?

“For me, the most special pieces that I gift are the shaker butterfly anklets for my newborn baby tribe members.”

If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing?

“I can’t imagine a life where I’m without my crystal cravings. I would probably be working with stones in a different way – crystal healing, maybe. Or I would be creating essential oils. I love giving women something that makes them feel beautiful and empowered. If it wasn’t jewelry, it would be something just as special.”

Your designs have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and more. Who would you love to see rocking one of your pieces?

“There are still a few muses out there that I have yet to meet—Penelope Cruz is surely one of them.”

What is one of our favorite red carpet moments?

“Rihanna has always given my designs big love. Whenever I see her in my pieces, even if just out casually, that becomes my favorite moment. She is my main muse and I love the energy and confidence she carries.”

What has been the most exciting highlight of your journey thus far?

“For me, it’s all about the women I adorn. It fills my heart making them feel so uniquely beautiful and welcoming them into the JA tribe. Find your tribe and love them hard.”

Biggest challenge?

“There have been a few challenges, and I’m sure there will be more. But I surround myself with people who can make the biggest challenges feel small and easy to face. When you have strong women in your life who support you and your journey, you can accomplish anything.”

In what ways does your native Egyptian roots inspire your designs?

“I love the Middle Eastern influences of hammered gold, goddess imagery, and amulets. There is such an alluring and feminine energy I feel from my Egyptian roots. I love drawing from those influences and translating them into my designs.”

www.jacquieaiche.com

Now Read: The First Exhibition of Muslim Fashion is Coming to San Francisco

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