Photo Courtesy of Dima Jewellery

Cairo-based Dima Rashid’s father was an avid stone collector and, since her childhood, she had been exposed to the beauty and uniqueness of gemstones. Many years later, on a trip to London, Dima stepped into a bead store to buy a jewelry designing kit for a sick friend. She ended up spending hours in the store nurturing her creative ideas. “My first collection was a trial collection of charms and beads necklaces, as I wanted to introduce gold, pearls, gemstones and charms in a way that was different from what was available back then. Luckily, it was very successful and was sold out,” recalls Dima, who launched her own line Dima Jewellery in 2004.

The self-taught designer got her first break during a random dinner at a hotel in Paris, when her earrings were spotted by the Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. Soon, encouraged by the editor’s kind words, Dima decided to make a go for it. She pitched her designs to the buyers at Harrods and Harvey Nichols. With seven stores agreeing to take her on board, there was no looking back. She also showed her pieces to Vogue’s jewelry editor Carol Woolton. Two weeks later, she learned that supermodel Gisele Bundchen wore her jewels on Vogue’s cover. Sourcing gemstones form India, Iran and Europe, Dima skillfully transforms them into bright, cheerful pieces in Egypt. She is currently working on a new collection. “It’s a must-have; what every woman should have in her jewelry box,” Dima says.

Smitha Sadanandan