how it all started
Staring back at me from the 5th Avenue NYC Tiffany & Co’s window was the same face I saw 15 years ago, so why didn’t I recognise her? In her place I saw a woman who was older, broke, physically neglected and emotionally at sea. I had lost my sense of self. Losing my dad and my relationship in short succession came as such a shock to my system that all I could do was hope to survive.
How did I let this happen? Did I buy into society’s narrative that women do and dress for men and that the only opinion that counts is theirs?
What had happened to the beautiful and free young girl of 24 who was so in love with life? Where was the Tiffany’s diamond ring which signalled that she was the chosen one; that a man valued her enough to spend around three months salary to put a ring on it?
That was when the idea came to me. I resolved to get back to me. To ask; ‘What would happen if you simply devoted this year to loving yourself more?” What would it look like; acceptance without shame? Owning my own unique beauty and strength. How could I help other women to see their own value; to show them that they did not need a man to choose them to have value - that they could value themselves - that they could choose themselves. That you could be single and happy.
I would show women that where once a ring symbolised the bond between two people it could now serve as a reminder of a bond with herself. An anchor in the safe harbour of self love and self care when life shakes you up. It was a new beginning for me as it would be for so many other women who would value themselves enough not to wait on a man. I would design a ring that a woman could buy for herself, that would symbolise devotion and commitment to her own value. A circular shape - without beginning or end - a universal sign of eternal self love, embracing her flaws, faithfulness and infinity.
The Lysistrata ring was born!
“Being honest about what you want and need, whilst refusing to conform to societal expectations placed on women, is a humanist act and a beautiful form of self-love. ”
As beautiful as the goddess Aphrodite, rich in her history and her life experiences, Samia is both European and Eastern, a Woman of the World. Mysterious, creative and visionary, she brings a new perspective to the independent woman, she is a woman who knows what she wants, she trusts her intuition, and knows how to highlight the primordial qualities of women.
She puts color in people's lives.
Samia is Lysistrata.