Some pieces stay with us far beyond a single moment. In this edition of The AP Journal, Joelle reflects on her lifelong love for jewelry and craftsmanship, the pieces passed down through her family, and the rituals, memories and everyday moments that make them truly personal.
WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT IN YOUR DAILY LIFE OR PROFESSION?
I’m Joelle, and I grew up in Munich and Marbella and have been living in Zurich for the past few years. Fashion and luxury goods have always been a part of my life. From an early age, I knew I wanted to work in this field, so I completed my Master’s degree with a focus on the industry and gained my first professional experience within it. At some point, my path took me into a different industry and into sales, until I realised how much I missed the creative world of fashion and the stories behind the products.
Today, my everyday life looks a little different. As a mum to a three-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son, my family is clearly my biggest project. At the same time, I try to keep my love for fashion, aesthetics and beautiful things alive – whether through creative projects or simply by making sure I preserve that part of myself.
WHAT DOES JEWELRY MEAN TO YOU – IN EVERYDAY LIFE OR DURING SPECIAL MOMENTS?
I’ve always loved jewelry, and I think an eye for it was simply something I was born with. Even my father has always worn quite a lot of jewelry – at least for a man.
When I was 20, I did my first long-term internship at Cartier, where I developed an even deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and savoir-faire behind every single piece of jewelry.
I especially love wearing jewelry that reminds me of beautiful moments: my engagement, the births of my children, or the watch my mother received when I was born and that I now get to wear. In the same way, my daughter now wears a necklace that I used to wear as a child. That’s exactly what I love about jewelry – the way stories can be passed down.
IS THERE A PIECE OF JEWELRY THAT ACCOMPANIES YOU CLOSELY OR TELLS A SPECIAL STORY?
Yes, actually quite a few. My mother’s watch is definitely one of them.
But there’s also a necklace with an eye pendant that I wore constantly throughout my first pregnancy. At the time, I simply didn’t want to take it off because I was afraid it might bring bad luck. 😅
To this day, I still wear it whenever I feel like I could use a little extra luck on my side – or simply want to keep the evil eye away.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY INSPIRING YOU OR GIVING YOU STRENGTH?
It probably sounds like a total cliché, but definitely my family. Cuddling with my son in the morning, painting with my daughter, or simply watching a series on the sofa with my husband in the evening – it’s exactly these little moments that give me the most strength.
Projects like ValJoeCollective inspire me because they remind me to be creative and to do things simply because they’re fun.
IF SOMEONE WERE LOOKING FOR YOU IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD – AT WHICH FAVORITE SPOT WOULD THEY MOST LIKELY FIND YOU?
You’d most likely find me at Draft with a matcha with pistachio milk in hand, out for a walk by the lake with the stroller, doing my weekly grocery shopping at Grimm, or at the market in Zollikon on the weekend.
And if I happen to be in the city, you’ll probably find me at Bloom.