Sarah Besnainou
Founder of Eternamé Fine JewelryIf you’ve ever found yourself struggling to believe that ‘everything happens for a reason,’ just look to Sarah Besnainou as a flesh-and-blood testament of its truth. In 2006, crying passionately on an airplane after leaving her love in Paris, Sarah opened her agenda to record her emotions, but her pencil had a different idea: it drew a jewel—not a beautiful, realistic, or dimensionally-correct jewel, but an impulsive creation. Three days later, that jewel had become a gorgeous pair of cufflinks that truly immortalized her romantic Parisian dream-world, and a brand—Eternamé—was born. Six years and dozens of unique Ready-To-Wear, Couture and Haute Couture pieces later, Sarah is bringing her collection across the Atlantic to Winnetka’s Neapolitan Collection. We caught up with the French beauty.
FIND ETERNAME AT NEAPOLITAN COLLECTION, WINNETKA.
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES >> fragrance: BLACK ORCHID BY TOM FORD // body wash: JOÉLLE CIOCCO GEL ABRICIOL // concealer: TRISH MCEVOY FLAWLESS // mascara: GIVENCHY PHENOMEN’EYES // lip gloss: TOM FORD TAWNY PINK ULTRA SHINE // nail polish: ESSIE’S THE A-LIST // pre-shampoo: L’HUILE DE PALME BY LEONOR GREYL
Q: Your first piece was inspired by someone specific; what inspires you now?
A: Human relationships are still very important. Traveling and meeting people inspires my creations; different cultures allow me to understand women more profoundly and get to know their different tastes.
Q: You’ve obviously travelled a lot. Where have you found a paradise?
A: The afternoon tea at Hélène Darroze at the Connaught Hotel in London.
Q: You must have a dream jewelry box. Is anything missing?
A: When I wake up every day and go into my dressing room, I want to have a piece of jewelry that matches my outfit. When that something is missing, I draw it…
Q: Jewelry is such a great accessory; do you play down your makeup to show it off?
A: It depends on the occasion, but for everyday, I do my makeup according to my mood.
Q: What was the best beauty tip you ever received?
A: No matter what time you come home, always remove your makeup!
Q: Great advice. Do you have a beauty icon?
A: [The actress] Monica Bellucci.
Q: We’re so glad to have you here! What made you decide to bring the line to Chicago?
A: When I met Kelly [Golden, of Neapolitan Collection], I immediately knew she was the right person to launch the brand in the U.S.
Q: And we have to ask: do you have a favorite piece from the line?
A: The Noor cuff.
SARAH SHARES WHY SHE LOVES
THE NOOR CUFF ON THE G&F BLOG.