Upon our first meeting at The Peninsula Hotel rooftop in Beverly Hills, we knew the jewelry industry was in for something great. Duha Al-Ramadhan has, in one short year, created a curated retail destination that quickly drew support from American and European designers clamoring for space in her sleek glass displays. You don't have to go to Kuwait to see all Aubade has to offer – like Anita Ko, Jennifer Meyer and Carolina Bucci among many others – but we definitely think a trip is in order. (And if you go, please save some space for us in your suitcase.)
Duha in Rolex, Cartier, and Jacquie Aiche on the opening night of her store, Aubade.
“The Maldives! With each visit, you always feel like it’s your first time there. ”
Let’s have dinner at your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Where do we go and what do we eat?
Fauchon Café, a Parisian eatery in the heart of Kuwait City. We’d have the Quinoa and Pumpkin salad, Chicken Caesar Sandwich, Beef Fondu and Salmon Plancha. We’d finish the meal with Fauchon’s signature mille feuille and raspberry tart.
If you could buy any piece of contemporary jewelry from another jeweler, what would it be?
I’d definitely go for another Madagscar ring from Eugenie Niarchos’s fine jewelry line Venyx. I currently own the Rainbow Madagascar Ring and am obsessed with it, so now I’m eyeing the Pearl and Ruby version.
The vacation spot that you keep going back to over and over?
The Maldives! With each visit, you always feel like it’s your first time there. It’s one of those locations where you genuinely feel complete and utter serenity, so it never gets old or boring.
What’s the last book you couldn’t put down?
I have a habit of rereading my favorite classic books of all time. The last book I read happened to be George Orwell’s 1984, one of the most fascinating fictional stories about a dystopian future ever told.
The gemstone you’re currently lusting after is . . .
Always emeralds! I’m so enthralled by the fire in the green of the stone, and they’re known to bring good luck, so that’s more reason to love them! I’d love to have a beautiful pair of emerald earrings to add to my collection.
It’s your birthday and your favorite flower arrangement arrives – what does it look like?
I love simple and modern arrangements that consist of a single flower type. A bouquet of pink tulips or a vase of purple orchids would be perfect.
What’s your favorite piece that you made in the last year and why? (photo, please!)
Since I don’t design jewelry just yet, I’m going to go with the favorite piece that I had commissioned for myself in the last year – my 3.5ct Colombian emerald solitaire ring that Anita Ko personally designed for me.
You have 30 minutes to work out – what do you do?
My favorite workout is circuit training, where you do a series of intense exercises that combine cardio and weight training in short intervals. It allows me to get more out of my workout for a shorter amount of time – perfect for my super busy schedule!
What was the first piece of jewelry you bought for yourself?
Cartier’s charity “Love” bracelet that consists of a mini Cartier Love ring on a knotted pink silk cord.
If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
John Lennon! I have always been fascinated by his music and career, first as a member of The Beatles and then as a solo artist, and I feel he paved the way to a movement of one love and peace. So to be able to sit with him and hear him speak his thoughts would be a dream.
What is the most sentimental piece of jewelry you own and tell us the back story.
I have two pieces of jewelry that I absolutely love and that mean so much to me. First is my Jennifer Meyer letter “A” disc necklace that was gifted to me by my best friends during my baby shower (A is my son’s initial). The second is a raw emerald necklace customized by Jacquie Aiche. A few years ago when my husband went to Colombia, he spent hours picking out the perfect raw Colombian emerald for me, as he knows my love for them. It sat there for over a year before I finally decided to ask Jacquie to set the stone on a necklace for me, and it quickly became a favorite.
What’s your preferred mode of transportation day-to-day? (Tell us about your car, motorcycle, bicycle, taxi, Uber, skateboard...)
As much as I’d love to say bicycle, unfortunately the weather in Kuwait restricts us to driving cars since it gets scorching hot in the summer. I drive a black Mercedes G-Class, which is quite a tough car – perfect for someone like myself, a notoriously “clumsy” driver.
Top 5 bands in your playlist - go!
The Fray, Kings of Leon, Seether, OneRepublic, and Led Zeppelin.
You’re having guests for the weekend. What’s your signature dish that you cook for them?
Fusilli pasta in a fresh homemade chili tomato sauce, mixed with olives, mushrooms, and carrots.
Be honest – who’s your celebrity crush?!
Hate to admit this, but the list is never ending! I’ll keep it short and stick to Leonardo Dicaprio (post-Titanic!) – for his intense and deep characters he keeps portraying on screen; Joaquin Phoenix - for his eccentricities; and Joe Maganiello - for being the ultimate man’s man.
If you could only carry one handbag for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Kelly bag (size 35cm) by Hermes. It has the perfect number of compartments on the inside to keep everything organized, the leather is soft and ages beautifully, and it has a long shoulder strap that allows you to carry the bag on your shoulder for when you get tired of carrying it by hand.
What’s your signature scent and what three words would you use to describe it?
Chloe’s signature scent “Chloé Eau de Parfum”. It’s breezy, fresh, and spring-inspired.
If you could sit front row at any fashion show, which would it be and why?
Chanel - need I even say why? It’s not so much about loving the brand, but loving the extremes that Karl Lagerfeld goes to to present the line so creatively. Whether it’s a supermarket or a brasserie, Karl’s attention to detail is impeccable, and he sets a beautiful stage and creative setting for all his shows.
Tell us your beauty secrets (think: can’t-live-without makeup and skincare)
I can’t live without my signature cat-eye liner, which I wear on a daily basis without fail. I use MAC black gel to achieve the perfect cat-eye. For skincare, I’m obsessed with organic products; I always try to make sure I minimize my body’s exposure to unnecessary and harmful chemicals as much as possible. My favorite brands are Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr ,and as of late, Bahraini-based Green Bar Inc. I also always moisturize my body with Elemis Nourishing Milk Bath.
Signature nail polish and/or lipstick shade for a night on the town?
Signature Nail polish – Essie’s Marshmallow (pale white). Signature Lipstick – Tom Ford’s Pink Dusk.