Jetsetting With Jeweler to the Stars Pascal Mouawad
A life dabbling in diamonds was in the cards from birth for Pascal Mouawad, the fourth generation co-guardian of jewelry company Mouawad. The designer and entrepreneur followed in his grandfather’s footsteps as jeweler to royalty across the world, with the innovative twist of decorating modern-day royalty: the iconic celebrity. He has rubbed elbows with stars such as Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, and Nicole Kidman, while successfully broadening Mouawad’s presence both online and across the world.
Q: What type of traveler are you? (i.e., adventurer, cultural explorer, free spirit, rejuvenator, spa aficionado, etc.)
A: All of the above; it really depends on how I feel. Some days, I need a spa day to rejuvenate myself. Other times, I like to see the sights, explore, and take in what other cultures have to offer.
Q: What types of activities do you like to do on your travels? Do you look for a place where it’s quiet and you can relax, or someplace that has great activities or nightlife?
A: It’s important for me to relax, eat great food, and maybe visit a spa. But it is just as important for me to get out and explore the nightlife.
Q: When thinking about where you will travel to next, what inspires you to make a decision? And what, if any, research do you do about that destination?
A: In planning my next travel destination, I like to choose a place where I can relax and enjoy myself, but also immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle. I often research cultural customs as well as local restaurants and cafes that I can visit.
Q: What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken and why?
A: The most memorable trip I have taken was to Prague. The city is absolutely beautiful. I spent my entire stay wandering around the cobblestone streets and taking in all of the culture.
Q: What is the “best” food find you’ve ever found on a trip?
A: I came across a charming restaurant in Paris called Le Grand Vefour. I particularly fell in love with the filet of St. Pierre, which was cooked on the skin that included spinach Parmesan, smoked paprika emulsion, and fine chips of chorizo. Délicieux!
Q: What, if anything, do you always take with you when you travel?
A: I take my work with me everywhere I go. I find inspiration in designing new jewelry through architecture, museums, and art that I come across when traveling.
Q: What’s your best piece of travel advice?
A: My best advice for world travelers is to plan activities ahead of time. Research the various destinations that will be most memorable. And always pack sensibly.
Q: Is there a destination where you can’t imagine not returning?
A: The one destination that I can’t imagine never returning to is the islands of Maldives (http://www.visitmaldives.com/en), particularly in the fall with the Indian Ocean and its wild sea life. Scuba diving there is quite an experience.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: Miami has a cutting-edge culture and sexy vibe about it, which makes for a perfect weekend getaway. One of my favorite things to do is visit the Design District, then board a yacht to watch the sunset with friends while sipping champagne. After that, we head to Smith & Wollensky to finish the night with a nice dinner and a divine view of Fisher Island.
Q: Where would you like to travel next?
A: Buenos Aires, Argentina, is my next ideal destination. I’ve heard the culture emanates as soon as you arrive. The gourmet cuisine and colonial architecture are the two most intriguing facets of Buenos Aires I’d like to experience firsthand.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming projects?
A: The capsule collection with Nikki Reed, titled Mattlin Era, recently launched this fall, and Nicole Richie’s SS 13 collection is also set to debut.
Pascal Mouawad’s Bio:
Pascal Mouawad is the fourth generation co-guardian of prestigious Mouawad, which holds a reputation for excellence in jewelry and diamonds. Raised in Geneva, Switzerland, Mouawad attended California’s Pepperdine University, before receiving a gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management—all in preparation to grow the family company beyond its European base to the United States. In 2000, Mouawad partnered with Victoria’s Secret to design the multi-million dollar Fantasy Bras covered in Mouawad diamonds. He has also collaborated with supermodel Heidi Klum, fashion icon Nicole Richie, and record producer Jermaine Dupri to create collections backed by the Mouawad brand.
