Sheikha Sana Al Maktoum’s jewellery line soars on wings of inspiration

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Her Highness Sheikha Sana Al Maktoum recently held her first major media event, when she revealed the inspiration behind her debut fine jewellery range, “My Treasure”. 

The invite-only local and international event was attended by media representatives, who were welcomed to the beautiful Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Palace in Dubai, where they were given a rare insight into her design ethos.  Shiekha Sana, a certified gemologist, founded Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery in 2020 when she was only 21. Her vision is to create beautiful, high quality jewellery pieces, which empower women to look and feel their very best.

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“It’s important to me that my jewellery is not just beautiful, but empowering to women of all backgrounds,” Sheikha Sana says.  Her style can be defined as ethereal, feminine and thoroughly modern. 

The spirited sheikha attributes her grandmother (elder Sana) as her greatest inspiration, and the muse for her signature butterflies, which are accented prominently in the “My Treasure” Collection. The thirteen pieces feature ethically sourced diamonds, alongside pink, yellow or blue sapphires, encased in white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold. Some butterflies are captured at rest, while others quiver on the wearer, using the enchanting “en tremblant” technique.  

“En tremblant,” in jewellery industry lexicon, refers to the “trembling” feature of a piece of jewel, particularly brooches. Invented in the 18th century in the ateliers of Paris, the craft involves mounting parts of a diamond jewellery creation on wire-coiled springs to create realistic movement and height, resulting in more volume, sparkle and liveliness. The en tremblant technique was especially popular for bejewelled butterfly or dragonfly wings. “My late grandmother,” says Sheikha Sana, “was herself an avid jewellery collector and always so supportive of my creativity. To this day I feel her presence always fluttering around me. I consider her my ‘guardian butterfly’. “A butterfly is ever transforming, and as a jewellery designer and as a woman, I feel I too am very much evolving”.

 A butterfly spreads its gold and diamond wings.

Her Highness has also revealed a larger purpose to use her personal jewellery brand, to create positive change for women and children, through education-related charity partnerships. The details of the charity collaborations will be released in coming weeks. Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery can be found on Instagram @sanaalmaktoumofficial      Sheikha Sana speaks to Gulf Today about her life and line

Why is the Collection named ‘My Treasure’?

Memories are to be treasured, and I treasure the time I spent in the garden with my grandmother, Sheikha Sana. She would often laugh and call the many butterflies, “her treasure”. She had a profound impact on my life; so she has become my own “Treasure”. I continue to share her love of butterflies and the “My Treasure” Collection is in her honour. The concept of “My Treasure” is based on a woman’s inner strength and resilience, above all else.

Why was the Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Palace in Dubai chosen as the venue for the exposition?

Apart from the fact the palace is a beautiful venue, it is also my home! Having the event at home, created the very personal touch that I wanted, when discussing my debut collection. It’s also important for me and my brand, to develop a good working relationship with media representatives. So, hosting them at the Palace was a step forward in creating that respectful and productive relationship.

Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery was founded in 2020, during the pandemic. How does the character of the Collection reflect the time when it was created?

Butterflies, which are a dominant theme in my collection, represent growth and transformation. They are a symbol of both resilience and change.

How does jewellery strengthen a woman’s power?

My hope is that my jewellery is empowering in many ways. On a practical level, Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery aims to be empowering to women and children, through upcoming education-related charity partnerships.  On a personal level, I hope my jewellery makes the wearer feel confident, beautiful and dressed for the day. I would love my pieces to remind women of their inner strength and ability to overcome daily challenges.   

Can you say a few words about your grandmother, who has inspired you?

My grandmother, Sheikha Sana, led a very private life. But she cared for the people of the UAE.  She was very entrepreneurial and was able to operate so successfully in a man’s world. She was strong and very individual. I call her my “guardian butterfly,” as I often feel her presence fluttering around me.Why do butterflies, one of the Muses for the current collection, attract you?

Butterflies feature a lot in my current “My Treasure” Collection because they are not just beautiful and full of energy, but they are ever transforming and in flight.

Would you consider diamonds and gold “must have” material for making jewellery? If so, why?

I don’t consider anything as a must have. If the jewellery has meaning to it and reminds the wearer of a special time and place, that’s all that matters.

How does your jewellery line differ from traditional Emirati jewellery? How is it similar?

I would describe my style as ethereal, feminine and thoroughly modern. So, quite different from traditional Emirati jewellery.

Have you avoided using “conflict diamonds”?

All the Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery diamonds are traced very carefully from ethical sources.

What values do you bring to the brand? What qualities should Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery be known for?

Beauty, quality, modernity and fine craftmanship, are some of the values that underpin my brand.  I want to create quality statement pieces that empower women worldwide, to look and feel their very best, or that mark a special moment or memory in their lives.