Interview with designer of unisex jewels Julien Riad Sahyoun | The Jewellery Editor

Julien Riad Sahyoun has created in just four years a body of finely honed, mainly genderless jewels that are perfectly in sync with our times. The subtle messages his jewels convey are gently and slowly are seeping into our consciousness thanks to their effortless universality and relevance. Born and raised in Morocco, Julien studied at the Gemological Institute of America in New York and California. Having travelled the world, today Julien finds a global voice for his love of Morocco’s rich culture and crafts.

Julien Riad Sahyoun launched his jewellery brand JRS in 2016 and within just a few years his work has been recognised by retailers and industry bodies alike. His jewels are for sale at the prestigious department store Harvey Nichols, cult-jewellery retailer Kabiri in London, the cutting-edge Montaigne Market in Paris and online with La Maison Couture. Julien was chosen as the Young Designer of the Year at UK Jewellery Awards in July 2019 and few months later was named Designer of the Year at the UK’s NAJ National Awards Ceremony. Uniting both commercial and design success in such a short time is testament to Julien’s quiet yet game-changing approach.

Julien is pushing the boundaries with eloquent designs that confirm that men and women are ready for genderless jewels of a more refined and nuanced nature. Case in point: Julien is the first jeweller to show me a unisex ear cuff that looked totally at home on his lobe yet I am hankering after one myself. Likewise Julien takes stacking men's bracelets from the ultra macho or beach-buy realms into a new arena of sophistication. Design and craftsmanship are the heart of his jewels, qualities that are genderless by their very nature.

Skin ring by Julien Riad Sahyoun — Easy to combine, the Skin and Skinny jewels are totally unisex, the rose and yellow gold offering a more feminine nuance over the white gold versions.

The majority of his jewels - such as Skin - are unisex and invite us to embrace tolerance and unity. Done with the lightest of touches, beauty comes first. The fact they are genderless is a secondary benefit. A love of nature is evident in the Twiga collection that is based on the markings of giraffes while the delicate Babylon jewels whisper to us from a lost past as ancient texts are depicted in gold and diamonds.

Julien Riad Sahyoun Skinny bracelet — A native of Casablanca in Morocco, Julien Riad Sahyoun fuses the richness and exoticism of his country’s culture with sophisticated concepts and refined designs.

Julien’s thoughtful approach to jewellery is evident in his tactile designs that are as much a personal pleasure for the wearer as a style statement. The Skin and Star Dream rings sit flat against the flesh, each curve gently smoothed and polished to almost melt onto the finger or neck. The gold is perforated to allow a glimpse of the flesh, an intimate bond between the jewel and the wearer. When Julien does use gemstones, they are in sharp contrast to the organic molten form as seen to great effect in the Star Dream ring.

Skinny necklace from Julien Riad Sahyoun — Julien Riad Sahyoun designs beautiful jewellery for women but also for men as shown here with the Skin collection.

Julien’s wants you to feel a very personal connection with your jewels so they are made for stacking and layering as well as mixing and matching. Earrings are sold separately and bangles come in different widths. Unafraid to break the rules, Julien mixes yellow, white and rose gold in one jewel.

The latest arrivals are the Twiga jewels that is inspired by the African giraffe's unique markings. Julien transforms the pattern into abstract golden shapes that are fluid and sensuous, contemporary yet with an ancient soul.

The Babylon choker in yellow gold with diamonds spells out PLAY in the long-lost cuneiform script of this ancient culture.
The Twiga ring is made of flowing yellow gold forms with the diamonds set within each one for a luxurious yet subtle take on luxury.
The slender version of Julien Riad Sahyoun’s Babylon rings are designed to interlock when stacked allowing you to create multiple looks. Likewise the bracelets can be worn on their own or stacked.
The Dream Me ring is made of yellow gold and set with white and fancy yellow diamonds adding an extra touch of luxury to this sensuously shaped ring.
The Twiga chain bracelet in yellow gold with diamonds uses the distinct markings of the giraffe to create the apparently random patterns of each link.
The Skin ring sits smoothly on the finger thanks to its soft contours. The Skin peeps through the perforations and like most of Julien Riad Sahyoun’s jewels is unisex and can be stacked.
Julien Riad Sahyoun’s Babylon stackable rings evoke the ancient cuneiform script for a new generation who seek jewels that convey a message.
The Babylon choker by Julien Riad Sahyoun in yellow gold with diamonds spells out LOV.
Black gold earcuff from the Skinny collection of Julien Riad Sahyoun
Julien Riad Sahyoun designs beautiful jewellery for women but also for men as shown here with the Skin collection.
Easy to combine, the Skin and Skinny jewels are totally unisex, the rose and yellow gold offering a more feminine nuance over the white gold versions.
A native of Casablanca in Morocco, Julien Riad Sahyoun fuses the richness and exoticism of his country’s culture with sophisticated concepts and refined designs.