The future of đź’Ž: is modern luxury redefining the industry? The takeaway of the FaB conversation with the rising founders within the jewelry space
Recently, we’ve talked about the Future of 💎on Clubhouse and if modern luxury is redefining the diamonds industry. A meeting hosted and moderated by Alex Tymann co-founder of Hedoine. Guest Speakers were Francois Delage the former CEO of De Beers Jewelers UK, Coralie de Fontenay now launching a new brand and the former CEO of Cartier France, and the founders of rising brands Kimai in London, Gemist in Los Angeles and Juwelina in Paris (founded by Jessica Warch, Madeline Fraser, Priya Jajoo).🇬🇧🇺🇸🇫🇷
It was a dynamic and controversial (yes, lab grown diamonds 💚💙or natural ones!)discussion about the challenges the industry is facing in regards to sustainability ♻️ and traceability of natural as well as lab grown diamonds. Are the new rules of fashion changing the perception of diamonds? What trends are we seeing overall?
“Conscious Customers are driving the change. Our customers are coming to us for inclusive and affordable pieces, that are guilt free. We’re proud to lead the innovation required in the industry ”. Priya
“We still have a lot of work to do to limit the impact of the [mining] industry. I am a firm believer in the potential of lab grown diamonds.” Coralie
“Design, history, heritage is part of jewelry, but you can also create magic with different materials. Our new brand won’t use gemstones, only lab grown diamonds.”
“We are building Gemist.co because we believe that we need to tell a new story for natural diamonds.The industry is changing.”
“New retail and new ways of shopping are the new luxury. We are making natural diamonds available to purchase online.” Madeline
“Education is key. As a small brand we try to be transparent, as it’s what customers want.”
“For Millennials it is not a question of price, but of needs, environmental concerns and emotions.” Jessica
BIOS
A meeting hosted by:
Alexandra Tymann Co-Founder and CEO of HÄ“doĂŻne,
a brand that is on a mission to elevate legwear and those who wear it. After a career in the finance industry her and her co-founder tackled the throwaway-culture that no other item represents more in our wardrobes than tights. After developing award-winning ladder-resistant seamless tights, they are soon to launch biodegradable tights. Alex joined FAB in 2019 and moderated the panel as one of the chapter leaders in London.
Guest Speakers.
Jessica Warch Co-Founder Kimai
Jessica Warch is the co-founder of Kimai, an innovative fine jewellery brand leading a new way for modern luxury, uniquely using lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold. Jessica studied at Cass Business School and started out her career as operations manager at Appear Here, before leaving to fund her start-up; Kimai. Jessica grew up in Antwerp, surrounded by diamond traders in her family, so from a young age she was drawn to the emotional value behind jewellery. But it was her frustration with an outdated industry, which drew Jessica to partner with childhood friend Sidney Neuhaus to build their brand and provide transparency to the diamond jewellery world, without compromising on luxury.
Madeline Fraser Founder of Gemist. Los Angeles.
Madeline Fraser is a serial entrepreneur and big thinker who loves creating consumer facing technology that solves a big problem. Over the past seven years she has created and grown multiple start-ups. Raising millions in funding for ideas she believes will make our world so much easier.
She started her first company while attending George Washington University in 2013, called Zoom Interiors. Revolutionary for the time, it was the first online interior design company. The company grew quickly and landed a segment on ABC’s Shark Tank.
In 2015, she created Hutch, a mobile app that disrupted the furniture industry with a tech platform where you can try furniture on in your home before you buy. Hutch has grown quickly with funding through Series B.
Her next big project is to revolutionize the future of custom jewelry. Gemist is the first digital platform that allows consumers to design jewelry and try it on before they buy. Gemist is growing quickly and backed by some of the world’s top investors and jewelry experts including De Beers Diamonds.
Priya Jajoo founder of Juwelina
Priya is the Founder & CEO of guilt-free jewelry brand Juwelina Paris, which is redefining the jewelry category with a sustainable alternative that prevents environmental damages! Check out their recent Forbes feature.
Link https://juwelinaparis.com
Coralie de FONTENAY Co-CEO of Luximpact
linkedin.com/in/coraliedefontenay
And Francois Delage Private investor
linkedin.com/in/francoisdelage
Thank you to our guest speakers and host & moderator for taking the time and sharing such great insights!
Don’t forget to subscribe to the free quarterly newsletter FaB to receive the webinars’ replays and takeaway https://www.beautytechcommunity.com/ 🔥🔥♻️💙⚡️ Join the conversation! 7000+ founders in 15 chapters, in America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
