Must-Have Jewellery For Your Wishlist: Feelings in Archive

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Must-Have Jewellery For Your Wishlist: Feelings in Archive

5 Dec 2024

A lot of brands catch the eye, but do they have meaning? Do they truly connect with people or tap into something real? Haneen Bader, a young artist who recently launched her local jewellery brand, shares her story and the messages she wants to convey. Believe me, no one will stay indifferent. Some will be drawn to the unique designs (have you seen the jewellery shaped like a passport?), while others will love the concept of turning memories into something lasting and keeping them close to your heart — literally. Let us dive into how Haneen came up with these designs and what are her future plans.

— Let us start with the name of Feelings in Archive. How did you come up with it?

— To be honest, I get this question all the time whenever I tell someone about my brand. The name comes from the idea of collecting and preserving emotions, memories, and stories in a tangible way. It is not just what we do at "Feelings in Archive" — it is really tied to my purpose. I have always been drawn to taking meaningful moments and turning them into something lasting. It is more than just jewellery; it is a collective of thoughtful creations across different mediums, all celebrating human connections.

— What inspired you to choose jewellery as your medium of expression, rather than, for example, fashion or drawing?

— Jewellery felt deeply personal to me. It is always close to the wearer, acting as a constant reminder of a memory, story, or journey. It just felt like the most intimate and meaningful way to start this brand.

"Feelings in Archive" is not just a jewelry brand — it is evolving. My vision is to connect with people through different forms of art. Who knows? The next collection might explore interior design, creating pieces that fill spaces while staying rooted in emotional archives. I am open to wherever this journey leads.

— Can you tell us about the mission behind your brand?

— The mission has always been to create designs that truly resonate with people — pieces that hold emotional value and tell a story. Whether it is jewellery, a design object, or something for your home, I want each creation to feel deeply personal and connected to someone’s life. The goal is for these items to become more than just possessions; they should evolve into cherished keepsakes, passed down through generations as family heirlooms.

— How did your artistic journey begin? Did you study art?

— I studied fashion design, but my journey into jewellery design has been anything but traditional. My background in the marketing industry played a big role, where I focus on developing strategies to empower brands and help them grow. That naturally taps into my creative side and has shaped how I approach design. I have always been drawn to creating pieces that feel personal and meaningful, and "Feelings in Archive" is a way for me to blend my love for design with the emotional depth that objects can carry.

— How does the design process work? Do you sketch your ideas?

— Funny enough, I do not sketch. Even in fashion school, I was probably the only student who did not enjoy drawing — it just wasn’t my thing. Instead, I brought my ideas to life by draping fabric on a mannequin. With jewellery, it is different. I cannot exactly experiment with 18-carat gold without going broke! So, I get creative by cutting accessories and putting pieces together to test out concepts.

The process always starts with the emotion I want to convey. For instance, if I am exploring the idea of longing — a layered emotion that can feel nostalgic, hopeful, or even slightly melancholic — I might design a multi-layered necklace. Each layer would represent a different memory or journey, with charms or stones to symbolise those moments, and of course the weight plays a big role. Once the concept is there, I work closely with my team and suppliers, going through multiple prototypes until the design feels just right.

— In the design and vision process, do you make all the decisions yourself, or do you seek feedback from friends and family?

— It is mostly just me, but I do involve my family in the process. They often spot things I might miss — whether it is a way to improve a design or realising it is perfect as is. Sometimes, when you are too close to something, another set of eyes can make all the difference. After that, I work closely with the suppliers to ensure it is feasible. Occasionally, they will point out when something is not possible, which leads to a lot of back-and-forth. It is a collaborative process, but honestly, it is always a challenge — nothing ever comes easy.

— Let us move to your existing collections. Tell me more about your “Roots” collection.

— The "Roots" collection centers around passport-shaped jewellery, inspired by themes of identity and belonging. To me, a passport is much more than just a document; it symbolises who you are, where you have been, and the journey you have taken. “Roots” is very personal — it speaks directly to identity and heritage. Reimagining it as a piece of jewelry felt like a way to give it new meaning, turning it into both a personal keepsake and a celebration of who you are.

— When you designed the passport jewellery, did you ever worry that people might not understand the concept – and perceive it as limiting or exclusive.

— No, I have never really worried about it being misunderstood. I believe everyone should take pride in their heritage and roots. The passport symbolises where you come from, your ancestors, and the journey that has shaped you. For us Arabs, it represents a rich and diverse culture that spans centuries of history, traditions, and stories passed down through generations. It is deeply tied to our identity, and this connection is universal — it is something that anyone, no matter where they are from, can relate to.

— Can you tell me more about your other collection, “Timeless Blend”? How does it differ from the Roots collection?

— As I mentioned earlier, "Roots" is deeply personal — it speaks directly to one’s identity. "Timeless Blend", on the other hand, focuses on universal themes like love and connection, which everyone can relate to. It is designed to appeal to a broader audience.

However, "Timeless Blend" is still quite unique in its own right. We repurpose vintage locks sourced from across Europe and combine them with classic diamonds or black diamonds to give them a timeless yet upgraded look. Customers can further personalise these pieces by adding their own charms — whether it is something they already own or one of our charms, which we have collected throughout our journeys. These charms will be available soon as a limited collection.

— Will this be part of "Timeless Blend" or a third collection?

— It is actually a drop that compliments "Timeless Blend". For now, the collection mainly consists of necklaces, but my goal is to give people the option to add their own emotions or memories to it.

Every drop I create has a deeper meaning. I do not release products just for the sake of selling — they are designed to connect.

— Tell me more about your travel organizer you recently dropped?

— The Travel Organizer is more than just a pouch or organizer; it is a safe space for your belongings, but also for your memories and personal journeys. Shaped like a love letter, the idea behind it took over six rounds of feedback to perfect. I designed it from scratch, working on it since last year, and putting in a lot of time and effort to get every detail right. My inspiration came from the love letters our grandparents used to write — my parents even have letters from the 80s that I still cherish today. It is a way to preserve those sentimental connections and keep them close, even when you are on the go.

— I noticed there is a space for rings in it, but your collection does not have rings yet. Is that a hint about what is coming next?

— Yes, I will be dropping rings and earrings soon. I always release pieces when they feel right, and for me, it is all about making sure they have meaning and resonate with the community. That is what really matters.

— What was the longest collection for you to create?

— The "Timeless Blend" collection took about six months to come together. The idea for it came to me while I was at an antique shop during my travels. I picked up some necklaces with vintage locks, took them home, cut them, and blended them with new pieces. And then I worked closely with my supplier to refine and bring it to life. I could create a piece that costs 50,000 dirhams, but it would not sell, so I have to stick to a price range — that is one of my biggest challenges.

The "Roots" collection took a little less time — around four months. The passport piece was especially challenging because I wanted it to be exactly like the real document but made in gold. I needed it to open smoothly without breaking, and it could not be too heavy, as that would increase the cost. I even had a sample with diamonds, but I thought the document as is was more than enough. There was a lot of back-and-forth with samples to get it just right.

— How do you feel about incorporating technology, AI, or digital elements into your jewellery? Is it something you would consider in the future, or do you prefer to stay away from it?

— I believe there is a place for both traditional craftsmanship and AI. AI is changing lives, and I could use it in the future — like integrating QR codes into pieces to unlock personal messages or memories. Imagine jewelry that connects to memories — scanning a code could show a video from your childhood. I love the idea of using technology to make gifting more meaningful, allowing people to send personal memories with their gifts. So, why not?

— Can you share something about your long-term plans?

— I am definitely excited about expanding beyond jewelry, potentially into interiors and collectible objects. Each new project will still honour the brand’s storytelling and values. For now, though, we are focused on jewellery, and I can not say much more about what comes next.

— And the last one — what is the emotion that you definitely want to capture in future?

— Definitely, one emotion I would love to capture is longing. A piece that is layered with nostalgia and emotion would be a challenge, but it is something I would love to tackle one day.

by Barbara Yakimchuk