THE

CROWN
JEWEL

H.H. Sheikha Mariam Khalifa Bin Saif is carving her own niche in
the jewelry world with her symbolic, contemporary designs and a
touch of Emirati pride, says PRIYANKA PRADHAN

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AD ORN

IMAGES COURTESY OF MKS JEWELLERY

ot everyday does one come across a modern-day

princess. Yet even rarer is the opportunity to
encounter one whos single-handedly making a
huge impact in the entrepreneurial world.
As granddaughter of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, she comes from a royal lineage but did not shy
away from stepping into the very public domain of entrepreneurship
by starting her own brand, MKS Jewellery, from scratch. We were
raised to work hard and achieve high goals, says H.H. Sheikha Mariam
Khalifa Bin Saif.
Whatever we achieve in life is from our own merit. These principles
helped me a lot. I knew that, in order to succeed in such a competitive
market, I needed to work hard. Nobody was going to hand me a
successful business on a golden platter.
Not surprisingly then, she delves into the day-to-day affairs of her
business from designing jewelry to packaging and communicating
directly with clients on orders. With four collections comprising
charms, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants and rings, apart from
made-to-order jewelry, its an exciting challenge for her.
Although running her own business had never crossed her mind, her
inherent love for jewelry while growing up, played a major role in
nding her calling and shaping her mtier as a designer-entrepreneur.
She recalls how shed love to wear some of her mothers jewelry and has
fond memories of her rst few brushes with jewelssuch as a white
gold heart shaped pendant gifted to her in her teenage years, which she
still loves.
One of the things I love most about designing MKS Jewellery, is
that a part of what I have designed would be passed down to
generations forever, She says. I am part of someones story,
someones life. A necklace bought in 2016, one day in the future,
someone would remember that their great-great grandma was gifted
the jewelry from a signicant other. Jewelry is a piece of art that gets
passed downa wearable art that has a story.
Her designs are at once eclectic and contemporary. In 2013, she
started MKS Jewellery to share her love for unique pieces that
symbolize something meaningful for her and for the wearer. Most of
my designs are symbolic, she says. Maybe when I designed it, I had a
personal meaning in mind, but when someone else wears or gifts MKS
Jewellery, they may associate a different meaning to the design.
For example, one of my pieces is the dove from the Geo Collection
that symbolizes love, peace and hope. Another item from the same
collection is the Honey Bee. As a play on words, I like to call it the Bee
Mine necklace, pendant and ring, but perhaps the person wearing it
could relate it to work or businessit could mean busy bee, for
someone who is ambitious and hard working, she adds.

Sheikha Mariam is also inuenced by royal heirloom jewelry that

she has seen since she was a child. My grandmother has a necklace
created from the pearls her father and grandfather collected, she says.
Its really old and beautiful. Its a special piece because its rare to nd
natural pearls that are not cultured, old pearls prior to Japanese pearl
farming. There is a tremendous value in antique Emirati pearl
jewelry.
This was the inspiration behind designing the Al-Otaiba collection
for MKS Jewellery, which uses pearls from the UAE. Moreover, she
produces all of her jewelry within the country, as a tribute to Emirati
heritage. We (the UAE) produce items of the highest quality, and as
an entrepreneur, I nd that whatever I need, the majority can be
produced in the country, so why should we go abroad? I am proud of
the items produced in the UAE, she says.
Pertaining to my brand, many people assume that we make
everything outside, she adds. MKS Jewellery is a luxury brand, made
in the UAE, incorporating other components of UAE heritage and
products, such as our signature camel leather jewelry pouches, that we
use for packaging.
Sheikha Mariam also emphasizes the importance of engaging in the
burgeoning local entrepreneurial community by exchanging ideas and
exploring potential together. Being an entrepreneur has given me an
opportunity to meet and interact with many people and it opened up
my circle of connections, she muses. Learning from other
entrepreneurs and seeing results, both positive and negative, has
taught me how to approach different areas of business.
Its inspiring to see so many talented, young Emiratis are setting up
their own businesses, she says. They are talented and have great ideas.
More young people should turn these ideas into reality and Im sure they
will achieve a lot. Its easy to sell from home on Instagram, without a
shop, without going global. Opening a business like that is easy, but
opening a business that people recognize, takes a lot of hard work.
Going forward, H.H. Sheikha Mariam Khalifa Bin Saif is planning to
make MKS Jewellery a globally recognized brand. Unafraid of
challenges or the fear of failure, she parts on a pensive note. Someone
once asked me if I ever experienced failure, and I told her that I have
never failed! she asserts. Even if I failed in my business, I wouldnt
consider it a failure. I would consider myself a failure if I had a dream
and never pursued it, or if I gave up on a dream.
As she winds down after a long day with her usual chai haleeb, she
Sheikha Mariam embodies the spirit of enjoying lifes simple pleasures,
staying grounded and working hard. She truly is is one busy bee that
inspireson the shelf and off it.
MKS Jewellery can be found at the jewelry department,Bloomingdales
Dubai, The Dubai Mall, Abu Dhabi Dutyfree Airport and Mosaique
UAE. You can also shop at the online store mksjewellery.com/shop.

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