She has been elected as jewellery designer of the year in France for the year 2010 and her designs have been seen on the likes of Anne Hathaway, Madonna, Lourdes and the stars of Gossip Girl. Vanessa Tugendhaft is an artist par excellence. Originally a Belgian and Parisian by adoption, she comes from a lineage of jewellers. She has always created jewelleryindependently of the catwalks trends. What she loves is to listen to the street, to women’s demands and her insight inspiration.

Dwelling more upon her inspiration, she shares, “I find inspiration in my daily life or whenever I travel, for example my latest collection ‘La Marquise’ is inspired from a trip to Venice. I believe that anything could be a source of inspiration such as reading books as well as visiting exhibitions. It can also be from watching a movie or while looking at a woman sitting in a café.” To be inspired from the mundane to the exciting, is a sign of a true artist and Vanessa ticks all the right boxes. Hailing from the culturally stimulating Europe, her inspirations give birth to designs that are conversational, vivid and marvelous.

Talking more about her roots, she explains, “I was born in a diamond cutter’s family. I did my very first jewel when I was 15 yearsold when my father gave me some diamonds. Though it was a simple start, my friends lovedit. I knew I wanted to be a jewellery designer at that time itself. I have learned everything about the diamond industry from my family. However, the diamond cutting profession is very different from the one of a jewellery designer.I started jewellery designing as a very small business in school in Brussels but it first took flight about a decade ago, when I arrived in Paris. I used to see people and celebrities on the street wearing the holy and spiritual red thread and I remember finding it ugly. I decided to add a diamond on it and make it more glamorous. Unexpectedly, it was a big success that gave birth my brand and I decided to dedicate myself to fine jewellery and make it affordable for each woman.”

Apart from jewellery, she is also a successful perfumer. If that is exciting to know, then the concept she has innovated to bring together perfume and jewellery is even more sensational. When asked to explain this concept to us, she states, “I recently launched a perfume with three different fragrances. I always wanted to make my own perfume but it was not coherent with my core business. Until I found this new concept: one perfume-one jewel. Les eauxdiamantéesare endowed with the Rose, a must have of fine jewellery. Once the bottle is empty the Rose is released at our workshops and set on a coloured thread or on a small chain (according to its owner’s desire).”

With this innovation, one can imagine the depth of Vanessa’s imagination and dreams. She has an interesting anecdote from her early career days, which is also based on her big dreams. “When I was younger I often joked with my family and friends, that it would be a dream come true to have Madonna wear one of my bracelets. She received the diamond on the red thread for her 52nd birthday and surprisingly it has never left her wrist to this day,” she articulates with a wide and warm smile.

Madonna adorning her design for so many years is just one of the accolades. There are many other achievements that she shares with us. “I have been awarded designer of the year by Paris Capitale de la creationin 2010. This award is an important recognition of my work. It helped me to have a better visibility in media, which in turn helped me in reaching out to more and more women. Last year, I also opened my first concept-store in Paris. It was an important achievement for me, as I always wanted to have my own innovative concept-store around diamonds. I took the opportunity to also present les eauxdiamantées and createda new concept of jewel-perfumes,” she proudly expresses.

Launching an independent store in the fashion capital of the world, Paris is a dream come true for most designers, be it fashion, jewellery, accessory, etc. But, to achieve this dream takes zeal and willpower of steel. Vanessa not just possesses these qualities but has also dedicated a decade of her life to understanding the nuances of the trade. When requested to share her learning, she takes us down the memory lane and informs, “I learned everything about all the processes of jewellery making. Right from creation and conception to management and business development, I have been involved in all the steps. The diamond industry is unique but everything is possible as long as you have the strong will and the means to do it.”