Drawing inspiration from H.H. Sheikha Mariam bin Khalifa bin Saif Al Nayan’s great grandfather, Al Otaiba translates in English to ‘The King of Pearls’ and the new collection looks to tell stories of Sheikha Mariam’s ancestry, honoring UAE heritage and bringing it to the present through modern interpretations.

Proudly using Emirati pearls as well as the classic mother of pearl, the handcrafted creations are a marriage of past and present through the stories they tell and through their thoughtful design. The collection; comprised of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings, incorporates five storylines that reference back to the nation’s pearl heritage and reflect on Otaiba in different ways, all the while keeping a contemporary feel and elevated aesthetic in order to speak to new generations.

Pieces in the Lulu Cubes storyline use hand-cut red carnelian, a historical reference to this part of the world as the material was found here in archeological sites and used in some of the first pieces of jewellery. MKS takes classic Emirati gemstones, like the pearl and carnelian which tell us stories of the UAE’s ancestral heritage, of a time before ours; and revives them through contemporary design. The MKS Jewellery woman is empowered and contemporary, she knows her heritage but is redefining it for the today, and for the future. The Lulu Cube pieces enable her to push the boundaries of how to wear a pearl piece, a future classic with a which will one day be our heritage.

“These symbols and storylines celebrate this land and its people. The UAE is me and I am the UAE, this is my story in all its beautiful symbolic ways. Curated is a stack of special creations, coming together piece by piece to share different parts of its treasures both in its gems and meaningful treasures.” – HRH Sheikha Mariam Saif Al Nahyan

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