It is often argued that jewellery is the most intimate and personal piece of accessory. Small pendants, rings, or bracelets can sometimes operate as a skilled storyteller, narrating the most significant events in someone’s life.
With that said, these emblems of individuality often tend to unfold another parallel story—the personal tale of someone else aside from the wearer; the designer. Even though her story starts in the United States, it certainly gained momentum the minute she stepped into her homeland.
Growing up in New York, she was always surrounded with a multicultural atmosphere, which was further supported by her family’s regular trips to the far sides of the world. One of her earliest memories is the sight of her mother’s jewellery box, which included a token from each country she visited.
Marwa Saadawi is a jewellery designer who understands and appreciates the cultural impact and personal story behind any given piece of jewellery. Her journey was further accelerated after a trip to South East Asia, where she was intrigued to meet local artisans and designers. Their elaborate talents and candid conversation inspired Saadawi to reach out to her sketching pad and start turning her thoughts into designs.
Fuelled by the life-changing experience, she took the decision to move back home, polish her talent at Khan El-Khalily, and start her own brand—Indira. The memorable name has a Hindu origin and can be translated into beauty. The minimal brand subtly speaks of the designer’s multicultural background, practical lifestyle, and eye for hidden artistry.
Her designs are often made of sterling silver, gold, fresh-water pearls, and mother of pearls. The thought-through details accentuate a timeless and global aesthetic, which could be styled to fit different daily occasions. Meanwhile, Saadawi is often keen to maintain a personal relationship with her clients, hence she includes personalised notes and rewarding gifts with her designs—which are currently stocked in Cairo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York, and New Jersey.
