Aurore Melot knows the Thomas Sabo universe like no other. As Creative Director, the young Frenchwoman brings a breath of fresh air to the German jewelry company, where she has been working since 2016. On a trip to Thailand, Melot discovered her passion for jewelry craftsmanship, which now defines her everyday life.
FACES: Marilyn Monroe once sang: “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Do you see it the same way?
Aurore Melot: I would rather say that jewelry is generally a woman’s best friend. Jewelry helps you to express your personality and feelings and to find your own style.
F: What was your first piece of jewelry, and do you still have it?
Aurore Melot: It was an ear stud in the shape of a dolphin. It was my first piece of jewelry after I had my ears pierced as a child. Unfortunately, I lost it. But I still associate a lot with it – that’s exactly what I love about jewelry.
F: What piece of jewelry do you never take off?
Aurore Melot: My wedding ring and my engagement ring.
Aurore Melot: “I recognized right from the start that Thomas Sabo is unique.”
F: What qualities make a good creative director?
Aurore Melot: A good Creative Director should have creativity, empathy and a strong personality.
F: You have been working with Thomas Sabo for several years. How did you perceive the company at the beginning, and how has your opinion changed since then?
Aurore Melot: I recognized right from the start that Thomas Sabo is unique. Over the past few years, I have really internalized the company’s very strong and creative DNA.
F: How should we imagine your daily work routine?
Aurore Melot: Every day is different. There really are a lot of challenges that I face every day. But that’s what I live for. I admire every new day, every new project and every new circumstance. That’s what makes the art of the process really exciting, which is about being inspired and creating a new universe from it again and again. We define the design codes, for example the gemstones, the type of setting, the patterns – this then forms the framework for the entire collection. As soon as I have this clear vision, the work with the design team begins.
F: How are new technologies and social media, for example, changing your work?
Aurore Melot: A lot of aspects have changed. Everything is faster and has become more global. We constantly have the opportunity to reach so many people, we can stay in touch better and exchange more information with our customers.
F: How sustainable are Thomas Sabo’s collections?
Aurore Melot: They are so timeless and unique that they can be passed on to future generations. The quality is also very good thanks to the craftsmanship and special processing techniques – you can keep your jewelry for a really long time.
F: What is the best piece of advice you have received from Thomas Sabo?
Aurore Melot: Take a look at our Thomas Sabo jewelry archive. There you can trace the history of the company and see how the DNA of Thomas Sabo has developed. There are real Thomas Sabo classics – iconic symbols that are loved by our customers. Each piece of jewelry is characterized by attention to detail and high quality. It is a pleasure to reinterpret and further develop them. Therefore, among Thomas Sabo’s many tips, focusing on our strong story really is one of the best.
F: How would you describe the Thomas Sabo universe?
Aurore Melot: Definitely with unique designs that come to life with very detailed pieces. Add a touch of rock’n’roll and you’re in the middle of the Thomas Sabo universe!
F: What do you do when you’re not inspired?
Aurore Melot: I read books, go to our library and then look back at Thomas Sabo’s strong past and the iconic pieces of jewelry that we collect in our jewelry archive. We also exchange a lot of inspiration in our design team at the Thomas Sabo headquarters.
F: Who inspires you?
Aurore Melot: Mainly artists and creative people in general, but when it comes to inspiration, I’m literally inspired by everything. People, nature, architecture, interior design, history, vintage. You can find so much inspiration in all these versatile and beautiful things.
F: To what extent is a creative profession a curse and a blessing?
Aurore Melot: You never stop thinking about new ideas – so you’re basically never out of work and never really have a vacation. But it’s also super interesting and exciting! I can be passionate about what I do and I am very grateful for that.
F: At the moment, people want personalized jewelry and pieces that can be individually styled. How does Thomas Sabo meet these needs?
Aurore Melot: Each of our collections is based on a strong meaning. It’s about conveying an inspiration, a message and a feeling. We have designed an entire collection for precisely this purpose: our new Padlock & Key collection. We have a large selection of unisex pieces that can be engraved – they are timeless and elegant, but still very personal.
F: What new trends in materials or gemstones should we not miss now?
Aurore Melot: The retro trend is very big at the moment. Classic materials and stones such as pearls and white gemstones are back in fashion. But colorful and vibrant stones in rainbow colors are also in demand.
F: Is there a certain no-go when wearing and combining jewelry?
Aurore Melot: Metal colors can be mixed very well: Yellow gold and silver go very well together, as do rose gold and silver. Different gemstones, materials, shapes or styles can be combined with each other very freely and give every look its own touch. Mix and match different colors, jewelry shapes and sizes to keep your look and style exciting. Don’t be afraid to be brave!
F: What is important when giving someone jewelry?
Aurore Melot: I think you should really focus on the meaning, the emotions and the quality.
F: How should we clean our jewelry without damaging the material?
Aurore Melot: We have good products for this, such as our impregnated microfiber cloth, to clean pieces of jewelry quickly, precisely and safely.
F: Silver, white gold or platinum: what do you choose and for what reason?
Aurore Melot: Silver – firstly, it’s timeless and you can keep it forever because of its high quality. Secondly, the silver takes on its own beautiful vintage patina when worn, making it very unique.
F: They commute between Germany and France. What do you miss most about France when you are in Germany?
Aurore Melot: I like Germany very much, but I also like to return to France from time to time for French cuisine and my loved ones.
F: What era would you have liked to have lived in?
Aurore Melot: Definitely in the 50s – I love the impressive aesthetics of that time.
F: What do you do on a Friday night?
Aurore Melot: I love a good dinner with friends.
Interview: Marina Warth / Editor: Lara Meroni / Photos: Thomas Sabo
