Q & A with hamburger ring designer Nadine Ghosn

By Livia Primo Lack

Designer Nadine Ghosn is an amazing new designer on the fine jewellery scene. Creating fun jewellery pieces full of child-like wonder and amusement, she is a prime example of a brand that needs no signature other than her aesthetic to be recognised. From hamburger rings made from the most precious gemstones to solid gold paperclip bracelets, her pieces are evocative and nostalgic. I sat down with her and talked about all things Fine Jewellery, the future of the industry as well as her hopes and dreams when it comes to her own brand. 

How did you get into jewellery making? 

I have always been a fanatic about jewellery. Since I was a young girl I would ask my father to bring me back earrings from his trips. I had stacks of beads and little gold ornaments everywhere. My siblings would ask for dolls and books, and I would ask for gems.

How would you describe your aesthetic as a designer-maker?

It is always difficult to describe yourself, initially, I found it very hard to answer this question but as I have continued to create over the past six years I think there are clear patterns that surface: Fun, colourful, witty and whimsical.

What’s your design process like?

I am constantly churning ideas and mulling them over in my head, I am quite free in my process, and I don’t like to adhere to expectations or timelines – I always try to have one new collection a year. A collection that resonates with where I am at in my journey both personally and professionally as well as the zeitgeist of the time. 

What jewellery do you wear every day? And what does it mean to you?

I wear my veggie burger ring and the pencil bangle every day. The veggie burger because it is my most iconic piece, my first baby – and it serves as a memento of a time where I took a chance, went out of my comfort zone and created something new without any reassurance that it was going to succeed. The burger reminds me of courage and the pencil of gratitude. I have engraved something personal inside mine, and it serves as a reminder that I have the power to write my own story and to choose the path I would like to take on my journey. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

People, experiences, travel and art. Honestly, there is an element of being free that is extremely important in creativity that helps to catalyse concepts and creations.

Do you think the pandemic has changed how we shop for our jewellery?

I believe more people are comfortable waiting for something exciting and customised for them. 

Will you ever have ambassadors?

I already have ambassadors, I believe each and every one of my clients is one. They support, wear and integrate the jewellery into their daily lives and help it speak to those around them.

How old are your customers?

The range varies, I would say from 16 to 68.

What have you never told anyone before?

Great question. Maybe that I am a grandma in a thirty-year-old’s body.

In your opinion, what makes fine jewellery such a unique/important luxury product?

I think fine jewellery like art needs to speak to the person. It is a very subjective thing, and by far is not a necessity. I believe fine jewellery is a memento as well as a conversation starter.

How do you see the future of fine jewellery evolving?

Fine jewellery just keeps evolving. We are always on our toes. In the six years that NGFJ has been in business, I see the fine jewellery landscape continue to shift. There was a move from retailers to online. From magazines to influencers. The taste and palettes have also shifted. When I began, the notion of 18k fun fine jewellery barely existed, now many more brands are willing to take greater risks and move away from the classic designs into more contemporary ones. Not to mention the crazy increase in raw materials continues to make the industry highly competitive and with strong barriers to entry. 

How important are collaborations between designers across the luxury industry?

As long as the synergies make sense, I think they offer something novel. I really believe in innovation and wowing the client, but anything in excess dilutes the initiative.

What is your dream brand to collaborate with at the moment?

Hermes or Chanel would be my go-to. I think they have a lot of history that could definitely manifest a little more and in a more playful way in their fine jewellery space.

How important is a designer’s personal aesthetic when creating a jewellery collection?

I believe a great brand is one where you can tell who is behind it without seeing the logo. I remember when I began NGFJ I didn’t consider myself a designer, I had graduated from Stanford in Economics and Art and then continued on as a consultant in BCG luxury practice. But when I began this adventure I remember writing down brands I thought successfully stayed true to their heritage and aesthetic; Apple, Hermes, Loro Piano, to name a few. By seeing the product you could tell the brand, and I wanted the same strong identity in my collection. 

However taste and style evolve with the more breadth of information and exposure you get, I would say that my style is definitely reflected in the collection, but it continues to evolve as I travel more, explore more and experience different aesthetics.

So, what’s coming up next for you?

This is a question I always get, and in my answer I never reveal it. You will just have to wait and see!

And we will!