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Jewelry Designer Valérie Messika Among France’s 2022 Légion d’Honneur Inductees January 19, 2022 (0 comments)
Paris, France—Valerie Messika (image), founder of eponymous jewelry brand Messika, was among 547 inductees of the Légion d’Honneur’s annual New Year decree, published by the French government on January 1.
The civilian distinction is awarded twice a year, on New Year’s Day and Bastille Day (July 14). It requires a minimum of 20 years of activity in a specific field, and honorees are listed according to the ministry that oversees their field. Messika was honored as the founder and general manager of a jewelry house, on the list of the French Ministry for the Economy and Finance. She received the grade of Chevalier, or knight.
Valérie Messika’s father, André is a key player in the international diamond trade for the last 40 years. He took her along on his travels seeking out exceptional gems. Valérie inherited this passion but decided to devote herself to diamonds on her own path, which led to the founding of her brand in 2005, focusing on femininity and fashion. Since founding her brand, Valérie has created more than 6,000 pieces of jewelry, all of which have attracted fans, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Sienna Miller, Natalia Vodianova and many more celebrities.
In 2013, the brand opened the first flagship store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. Today, the brand has multiple boutiques and is sold in many high-end independent jewelry boutiques and luxury specialty stores around the world as well.
According to WWD, the Légion d’Honneur was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte to recognize both civil and military merit. It is France’s highest distinction and includes 92,000 members recognized for “their eminent merits in service of the [French] nation.”
Messika is one of two jewelry-industry inductees. The other is Sophie Doireau-Tiberghien, who became Cartier’s CEO for the Middle East, India, and Africa last year, and who was in the Foreign Ministry’s list.
Messika is now exhibiting at The Centurion Jewelry Show at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in the Kaibab Room, Salon MR-8.
A selection of Messika jewelry on a model.