This month, for our Belle&Kate Adores feature, we spoke to the co-founder of Majene, Rahmani Nitiyudo, about launching her modern fine jewelry brand and how she builds confidence through a strong network and personal value. She delves into the inspiration behind her brand's modern yet timeless designs, shares her advice for young women looking to become entrepreneurs—highlighting the necessity of owning your networking skills—and reveals the Cartier and Loewe pieces topping her ultimate wishlist.
Scroll down to read our full Q&A with Rahmani Nitiyudo on style, business, and confidence.
Q: How does your personal style inspire your brand, Majene?
A: I've always loved wearing necklaces and earrings, specifically hoop earrings. So, I think we had to incorporate that into our first ever collection. The designs are so modern yet timeless. You can literally use it and incorporate it in your everyday life; you can style it up, style it down.
Q: What sets Majene apart from other jewelry brands?
A: Majene really brings a new, fresh local perspective into the fine jewelry market in Indonesia. All of our pieces are handmade, so you can really see all of the intricacies of the designs, all of the edges, the curves.
Q: How do you unlock your potential while staying confident?
A: I feel like unlocking your potential, first of all, you have to really know and own what your strengths are. And once you already know what you're really good at, channel that into what you're passionate about.
Q: Any advice for young women who dream of becoming entrepreneurs?
A: You have to really own your networking skills. As cliché as it sounds, your network is your net worth. And in business, I feel it's really about who you know and what value can you give to that network.
Q: How do you see the future of Indonesian local jewelry brands?
A: What I really hope to see in the Indonesian jewelry industry is more sustainable practices. So, using ethically sourced metals, whether it be gold or silver, and also ethically sourced and transparent sourcing of gemstones.
Q: What's your favorite vintage luxury find?
A: I feel like my favorite vintage luxury finds, which hopefully I'll get that soon, is the Cartier Panthère or even the Baignoire Two-Tone watch. I think that's really, really stunning, super classic.
Q: What's the handbag that feels sentimental to you?
A: One handbag that's really sentimental to me is probably the Proenza Schouler mini bag. I had one in dark blue, I still have it 'til today. And why it's really sentimental is because it was my first ever designer bag that I got when I was a teenager, because before that I just borrowed all my sister's bags!
Q: Tell us about your current handbag wishlist!
A: I think it had to be the Loewe Squeeze Bag in maroon.
Q: What are your top picks in our ROOM?
A: The Ferragamo Box Leather Top Handle Mini Bag. I think it's so cute, and I just love mini bags. The second item would have to be this Chanel jacket. You can wear it as a dress like how I'm using right now, or even for like winter holidays, you can just have it layered with your scarf. The last piece would have to be this Chanel cropped mini top that Elsa was wearing. I think it's so cute. So, basically, I just love minis.