Photo: Amer Mohamad
Reflecting the beauty of the world while enhancing it, Cartier high jewelry’s amalgamation of ancient stones, organic textures, graphic patterns, and optical illusions form a powerful, evocative statement. A statement that speaks to the contemporary moment and women of today like Sheikha Raya Al-Khalifa, who defines modern-age elegance as “being comfortable and at ease, nothing contrived. Trying too hard never translates well. I think a well-lived life ultimately shows in the way you carry yourself and style follows so I’d say let it be natural.”
As a modern-day royal who grew up the product of different cultures, Sheikha Raya underscores jewelry’s ability to transcend divides, while still showcasing a strong sense of individuality. “My own lineage is comprised of several different links, and often jewelry would tell that story,” she says. “My love of specific pieces was never about clout but rather history; what was behind the aesthetic allowing you to pinpoint where it came from, the techniques used that would attribute it to skills from a particular culture. It was like getting deeper into the historical elements of the bygone generations. The region has a deep-rooted connection to houses like Cartier for our pearls, this bond was part of our development and is something to be celebrated and appreciated. It’s just the same with costume pieces as well for me. I collected over the years magnificent collections by Trifari, which was a costume jewelry company in the US who ended up having the then head designer of Cartier, Alfred Philippe, as their designer.”
Photo: Amer Mohamad
Her personal brand of style and grace, meanwhile, leans towards the timeless kind, and she employs it as an ode to women of generations past, present, and future. “My own style is definitely a composition of the different cultures I am a part of. I joke I’m an Arab who grew up in Florida so I’m not shy to make a statement and go for bold pieces, but with a classic timeless tone to them. The influence of Cartier’s fingerprint of design transcends time and creates inspiration. The post world war era was an important turning point in jewelry history as women in society were no longer idle wearing pieces for formal settings, but had sets that matched their new way of life, which was more active and work-based. It’s the type of woman who is commanding, strong and uses her adornment to speak before she does; she wears it rather than it wearing her no matter the size of the stones.”
Sheikha Raya sees future generations of Arab women channel both that strength and style. “Women in our part of the world are gaining commanding positions of authority as our societies move from that of tribal to a more merit-based platform and I think our Western counterparts don’t just realize how progressive these societies are in the Gulf. I never had a limitation on what I was supposed to do so long as I stayed educated and allowed the door open to further enlighten myself. That was the only obligation that was put on me. I think it’s a mistake to have a goal to aim for what society deems a success… if you follow what you are passionate about it will flourish into a happier life and ultimately benefit the society you live in. Not everyone has to be a doctor or have a law degree, maybe gardening is your passion? We need more passion-filled occupations and entrepreneurial endeavors, which give way to wonderful authentic indigenous growth in our communities.”
Photo: Amer Mohamad
Photo: Amer Mohamad
Photo: Amer Mohamad
Photography: Amer Mohamad
Style: Vasil Bozhilov
Hair: Julia Rada
Makeup: Manuel Losada
Nails: Mai at Ginza Beauty Dubai
Producer: Danica Zivkovic
Talent: Sheikha Raya Al-Khalifa
Photography assistant: Yasir Ali Shah
Style assistant: Anum Agha Zephyr
Originally published in the November 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia
