ZM Collections is a unique jewellery brand that aims to turn nature’s little trinkets into art.
Dubai-based artist, Zeina Madwar, launched the brand in 2017 and takes inspiration from hidden gems and elements of nature that evoke memories of travel.
For her, it was a challenging hike to see the waterfalls in the Cascades d’Akchour in Morocco that sparked the business idea. Once she and her partner reached the top and marvelled at the magnificent surroundings, Madwar wondered how she can capture this exceptional moment and this is when the idea for her jewellery brand was born.
Each hand-crafted piece is one of a kind and encourages you to grow your own bohemian collection as you travel around the world. Think of these pieces as sparkles of wanderlust.
What was your favourite subject at school?
At school, my favourite subject was always art.
What was your first job?
I worked at a contemporary art gallery as an assistant director.
What inspired you to launch ZM Collections?
We believe in uniqueness, individuality and all things in their rawest form. The idea behind ZM Collections story and the brand were both inspired by travel, exploration and authenticity.
What are the key elements of your role?
From sketching to rendering to manufacturing, the creative process is a crucial role I play. I always make sure the final product meets the vision and initial concept. I create weekly content for my social media platforms, manage production and quality check and most importantly finding the time to take a step back to find inspiration and making sure we stay true to our brand values
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
I think the advice I would give if you want to pursue your passion is to always explore and experiment. You can only succeed by going through trials, making mistakes and learning from them. It’s also really about your mindset if you want something and you believe in it you’ll make it happen.
Which fashion brands can we find in your work wardrobe?
I tend to lean towards boho chic styles and brands that are down to earth and nature-inspired. In general, I like collaborating with fashion brands that share similar values to the ZM Collections brand.
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What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
There are a lot of roles to play when owning your own business and I don’t necessarily excel in all areas of my business. And the best advice I ever received was to always be honest with myself and about my strengths, pay attention to everything equally and not focus on one role. And reach out for help when I need it.
And what is the worst?
I don’t necessarily like it when people dictate the artistic vision I have for my brand, from product designs to social media posts. I definitely excel the most at the creative aspect and don’t like to feel constrained by other’s people opinion of what my artistic vision should or should not look like.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
The biggest challenge is time management I would say. To run the show you basically need to be on top of a lot of things and maintain a balanced work life. make time for friends and family and most importantly sleep.
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Images: Supplied and Instagram
