The Moroccan jewelry designer celebrates her first standalone boutique with an overview of her eclectic style.
Miryam Labiad. Photo: Amira Azzouzi
Tastemaker jewels
“I’ve always been amazed by precious stones,” says jeweler Miryam Labiad, who has a penchant for colorful gemstones and designs that exude femininity and strength. “After working for years in the fashion industry, I decided to accomplish my childhood dream and enter the world of jewelry.” Labiad majored in communication and advertising at Sup de Pub in Paris and founded her fashion consulting agency Fashion Affair prior to launching her jewelry label, Mimia LeBlanc. While she currently lives in Beirut and Paris, her brand identity is deeply personal and rooted in her Moroccan heritage.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi
For the boys
An edgy take on reworked symbols, diamond motifs, and engraved cameos on rings, earrings, and pendants have become her signature features, adopted by celebrities Kim Kardashian, Haifa Wehbe, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Cyrine Abdelnour, Assala Nasri, Angham, and singer- songwriter Saad Lamjarred. “Men are usually attracted to Mimia LeBlanc jewelry’s edgy and statement pieces in white or black rhodium gold,” explains Labiad, who also studied at the Institut National de Gemmologie in Paris. “Saad is one of my closest friends and we are currently working on a unique and exclusive jewelry line,” she reveals. In addition to this forthcoming collaboration, Labiad will also open the doors to her first Mimia LeBlanc standalone boutique in Morocco at the end of this month.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi
Harnessing her heritage
Turning to the past, Labiad’s jewelry collection features one-of-a-kind, reworked vintage pieces. “My earliest memories with jewelry include eight-year-old me creating bracelets and necklaces by using old items from my mother’s jewelry box. The final result was always unique and beautiful,” she reminisces. Meanwhile, culture plays an integral part of her brand’s success. “My bestselling collections were inspired by my royal and powerful country, such as the Emblem of Morocco, Vintage Nostalgia, and the Crown Collection,” she shares.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi
Mother knows best
Trend driven, Labiad’s personal style encompasses a mix-and-match approach of statement pieces and tailored essentials that serve as a canvas to her bold accessories; the pillars of her sartorial formula. “You can say that I am a shoes and bags addict; I always invest in statement and unique pieces that I can style in different ways and for many occasions. I’m currently in love with Amina Muaddi’s creations,” explains Labiad, dressed in boyish denim jeans and a white shirt by Equipment that she elevates with a pair of Ermanno Scervino cowboy boots. While Labiad has a sharp eye for trends, she grounds her closet with treasured heirloom pieces passed down from her mother. “I have a special Moroccan caftan in velvet with gold hand-embroidered details that my mother wore on her engagement day,” she offers. The piece shares closet space with a vintage Yves Saint Laurent striped dress and a brown mink coat that her mother purchased during her first trip to Paris with her father.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi
Strike a pose
It’s no secret that Labiad prioritizes time for physical and mental wellbeing in her day. A quick scroll through her Instagram feed and you’ll come to discover that yoga is her go-to workout. “It’s not just exercise, it’s one of my favorite hobbies. Not only for its physical benefits, but also for its mental effects, since it is one of the best ways to reduce stress,” she states. The designer starts her day with a yoga session and never skips a workout, even while on vacation. Her drawer of activewear ranges from Alo Yoga sets to Nike supportwear and tank tops. “Lately, I am in love with Paco Rabanne workout clothes,” says Labiad, who frequently sports coordinated sets and high-performance metallic separates.
Photo: Amira Azzouzi
Face flex
Huda Beauty Wishful Clean Genie Cleansing Butter does all the heavy lifting for removing a day’s worth of makeup; afterwards, she locks in her moisturizers and serums with the line’s hydrating mist. Not only does Labiad turn to yoga to stay fit, her nighttime skincare routine includes exercising her face muscles by way of facial yoga. “Before bed, I rinse my face with cold water. Then, I mix my night cream from ZO Skin Health with a drop of pure argan oil before I start massaging my face. Facial yoga is my favorite beauty trick because it keeps my skin plump and firm,” says the ZO Skin Health brand ambassador.
Culinary travel
Food is central to Labiad’s travel itinerary, and she often finds her way back to her favorite restaurants, whether she’s on a work trip or on holiday. “Cipriani Downtown in New York City has the most delicious tagliolini with white truffle I’ve ever tasted,” she shares. Meanwhile, if she’s in Istanbul, she’ll order the risotto with asparagus at Spago. “The most exceptional of all is our traditional couscous, of course,” she says with a smile of the heartwarming dish that she must have when visiting her parents.
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Originally published in the February 2021 issue of Vogue Arabia
