Simply Abu Dhabi XXXI

Simply AbuDhabi: What inspires you themost? Suzanne Kalan: What inspires me the most is need. What I need and want to wear. Feeling good and relaxed. Being in a peaceful and beautiful moment. Maybe sitting in a beautiful garden surrounded by nature or lying on a white sandy beach looking at beautiful turquoise water. SimplyAbuDhabi: I have read that your daughter Patile has an important role in your business? How did she join the company? Suzanne Kalan: Somehow Patile has been involved in the business since she was very little. When I first started, she was almost a year old and I was working from home. She would want to touch and play with the beads. Later, she would come to our office after school and help out where she could. Eventually she went through every stage of this business and has now almost completely taken over. She has been designing her own collection Kalan14 for the past seven years. It’s a lower price point 14ct/ colour semi- precious stone collection that is sold everywhere, including Liberty London and Sauce Rocks dubai. She manages production both for our SK and Kalan collections and is the contact for our biggest retail partners such as Net A Porter, Harrods, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Liberty and Moda Operandi. SimplyAbuDhabi: At this stage, with your brand recognised on an international scale, what is your next move? Suzanne Kalan: We are working on our on-line business and getting more exposure internationally. Making our company stronger. Everyone asks me if I would open a retail store…. I don’t know if I would, not sure. Simply AbuDhabi: Are you planning to launch amen's line? Suzanne Kalan: As a matter of fact, many of my customers in the Middle East would ask me for cuff links. My son Kami joined us about 2 years ago. He is a graphic designer in charge of our web site, photography and marketing. He has started designing some pieces for himself and will be launching a men’s line next year. Inshallah! SimplyAbuDhabi: Can youplease tellmemore about your custom-made service? How does it work? As a customer, can they ask for a custom-made piece even in a retail store? How long would it take? Suzanne Kalan: Yes, we do make a lot of custom pieces. The way it starts is the customer likes our look and workmanship and wants to personalise it for themselves. They will either go to a retail store or get in touch with us directly. We listen to what they need and start making cads or showing them specific stones they’re interested in. Sometimes, it might be a pink diamond, or an aquamarine, or even a heart-shaped diamond. Everything we do is focused on what the customer wants, but with our touch and our look. We always stay true to our look and design. Simply AbuDhabi:What are your dreams both in terms of business and personal life? Suzanne Kalan: I want to continue to enjoy designing, build a bigger team here at my office so I have a little more time to enjoy my family and my good friends. I love to travel and see more of the world, learn about other cultures. Simply Abu Dhabi: Which are the three pieces of jewellery that a woman should have? Suzanne Kalan: A stunning ring (maybe her wedding ring?), a cool bangle bracelet and a watch! That’s what I have on every day. 1 0 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I