Meet Jewellery designer, Zena Kaddour, who along with her husband Tarick, head the Sydney based House of K’Dor. Now entering its 20th year of business, the House of K’Dor, which was founded by Tarick in 1999, has become a name synonymous with extravagance. The husband and wife duo currently craft some of the most desirable creations in the bespoke jewellery industry.
Having just returned to the House’s flagship Double Bay Boutique from a recent trip to California, Zena who serves as the brand’s Creative Director tells us, “I’m inspired by creating happy moments for others through kindness, giving, hospitality and just listening and creating. I see our passion of sharing our beautiful pieces with the world as a way of spreading happiness.”
Mrs. Kaddour, who is a mother of three, is highly passionate about sourcing ethical jewels and building House of K’Dor through partnerships with elite brands, such as Lamborghini, Moet Hennessey and Etihad. However, the Kaddour family is not only well regarded for their contributions to the world of jewellery, but also the world of philanthropy, where Zena and Tarick regularly support organizations that improve the lives of women and children.
When did you first become passionate about jewellery design?
“Naturally, I’ve always loved jewellery. I come from a big, vivacious family where the women always dress up! My husband Tarick has been a jeweller for as long as I can remember, and through observing him create art and working together I was able to connect the emotion of wearing a stunning piece with the architectural and technical aspects that give it harmony.“
“I think of jewellery as much more than mere ornaments, but rather personal and unique pieces that are an extension of ourselves. Jewellery can reflect our personality, and instantly connect us with the energy of the universe. It is great that Tarick and I share the same passion, as our taste has been refined and expanded into more global influences over the years.“
What are you currently inspired by?
“People! Always people. My family, friends and guests make my world go around, and I am so inspired by everyone I get to meet in my travels and in my every day [life].”
What are some of the differences between House of K’Dor’s Fine, Signature and Bespoke lines?
“The Fine collection is underpinned by modern, elegant classics – think thin diamond stackable rings, fine delicate tennis bracelets and chic diamond studs. It uplifts a daily wardrobe. Our Signature collection is inspired by the honeycomb, which, with its sweet centre and hexagonal base, underpins the joys of life derived through teamwork and an abundant, positive mindset. We translate those elements into design by playing with the hexagon, honeycomb and bee motif in our delicate diamond pendants, bracelets, initials and earrings. It’s a lot of fun and this range is eternally popular with our guests. The Bespoke line, for me, is a personal relationship that exists between a person and a precious stone. The stone is the star that pulls at someone’s heart, which are then housed into a collaboratively designed setting that enhances the shine in both the stone and our guest. The initial consultation is my favourite part of the process, because it’s an invitation to embark on a journey with our guests and together, create magic to bring a bespoke piece to life.”
How would you describe the House of K’Dor’s ready made collections?
“Elegant, modern, joyful. We love to play with diamonds and precious stones for every day, ensconced in delicate and wearable pieces. Sleek and streamlined design that still feels glamorous and elevated is true luxury. Our guests instantly feel their spirits lift as soon as they put on a K’dor jewel, even in a jeans and a simple t-shirt… and that is the point. To bring happiness and confidence through love and beauty.”
“She is rare, exceptional – exudes in sophistication, confidence, grace, kindness and timeless elegance. She is a K’dor Diamond.” is a motto we love.“
Walk us through the process of creating a bespoke piece of jewellery with a client?
“Our guests are greeted and welcomed into our home and instantly become part of our K’dor family. The initial design concept takes place in our beautiful boutique and around our dining table, which is always brimming with love and energy! Our Kdor concierge team ensure that every element of the consultation is unforgettable by going above and beyond: we like to take our guests on a journey that elevates all their senses. Whilst we design, for instance, our guests indulge in Michelin star cuisines paired with French champagne.”
“Our guests may already have an idea of what they’re looking for, so we hear out their ideas and contribute our professional suggestions to the consulting process. I look at everything – what they wear, their facial proportions, the length of their fingers and hands… to discern what would elevate their self expression and dazzle their features. All ideas are valued and heard. Then we go about selecting the stone. We don’t compromise on a stone’s quality just to achieve size, all our diamonds are D E F and VS clarity and are ethically sourced. This is incredibly important to us. That special stone is then meticulously placed into an impeccable setting, fusing our guest’s desires with a technical artistry that maximises that stone’s brilliance.“
What is your personal approach when commissioning a bespoke piece of jewellery? What are the key elements that you look for?
“Lifestyle, lustre, proportion and instinct. To me, jewellery is very personal and alive. So, if I get a hunch of what may work but isn’t readily considered, I always put that idea on the table. I believe we are all diamonds at heart – unique, bright and brilliant. We all have a light within us and we shine the brightest when we connect. So, creating a bespoke piece is a very precious moment. Every stone has a story and as a jewellery designer, it is up to us to create art and showcase its beauty to the world.”
I imagine this is a difficult question, but can you tell us about some commissions that you are most proud of?
“We are of course proud of all our commissions, as an intensive amount of care, meticulousness and creativity goes into each piece to ensure its perfection. However, recently, we designed and created a magnificent work of art featuring an exceptional and rare vivid green emerald weighing 13.44 carats, meticulously handcrafted in 18k white gold adorned by over 5.19 carats of diamonds. It’s a truly captivating design that harnesses the emerald’s innate beauty.”
Do you feel that you and your husband’s Arab heritage have influenced the brand? If so, in what ways?
“I think if anything, it influences our sense of hospitality! We love to have people over, we love to celebrate, and that attitude rings through every touch point of our brand. As a designer, my husband is actually rather pared back, preferring clean and elegant lines to overly ostentatious pieces…. and I would also consider my style quite restrained and low key. I love black! But yes we definitely love a big, opulent celebration…“
Take us through a day in the life of Zena Kaddour.
“We have three kids – so my days always begin with them. They’re my number one priority and endless inspiration. After school drop off, I drive to our Double Bay boutique, where the day is filled with consultations, appointments and phone calls to build our corporate relationships, as well as the philanthropic arm of our business. I always feel like I am zipping around and always on the move… However I feel truly blessed, like a diamond there are so many facets to this business that I love and adore. And I am incredibly grateful for the love and support we’ve received globally as a brand, and our ability to give back to the community. But yes, daily I’m with my kids, in the store, or on the phone with various arms of our ‘family’. I love it!“
In addition to your role at the House of K’dor you are also on the female advisory board of Lamborghini, with that said, can you tell us a little bit about how you first became involved with the automaker?
“Lamborghini approached me after they saw the growth of our business, and they were looking for professional and entrepreneurial women to help shape various brand conversations. It continues to be an incredible honour, and now we have a working relationship where Lamborghini feature in our events and we in turn, have been able to collaborate on beautiful products. As brands and humans, both Lamborghini and House of K’dor value people, artistry and pushing boundaries in impeccable design. It’s a perfect fit.”
Being your locale of choice, what do you believe sets Sydney apart?
“Sydney feels far away from most of the world, but it’s very sophisticated. The residents here are very chic, and the clean air, beautiful food and impeccable beaches offer us a great lifestyle as a family.“
Where to next?
“We are excited to be showcasing our House of K’Dor diamond collections in partnership with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi next month, as well as expanding our presence globally. With e-commerce and a great team behind us, the world truly is our oyster – and there’s no limit to how many happy K’dor memories we can create!“
To keep up with House of K’Dor visit their website and the official @HouseOfKdor Instagram account.
