Lebanese singer Nelly Makdessy has been named ambassador for the high fashion jewellery brand Leon Hatot.
Tabloid! caught up with her at the unveiling of the new Leon Hatot Le Temps d'Aimer collection dedicated for Nelly Makdessy.
"I wasn't too excited about advertising for jewellery. But when I saw the Leon Hatot collection I felt that it was a bit like my personality. The design is soft, simple and romantic. Even the engraving, 'A time for love' resembles me a bit. I am a romantic myself, I love romance and I like simplicity. I didn't consider it as advertising; I took it as a woman who loves jewellery and romance."
Deeply affected
On a more professional note, Nelly Makdessy said that she has just finished filming two video clips, Oouf and Bas was Hous.
"I didn't film anything after that because of the war in Lebanon. I was deeply affected. I didn't leave Lebanon. I was in no mood to sing or do concerts. My people were dying and my land was being destroyed."
Makdessy says that she feels a bit better now and is ready to resume work. Refusing to go into details she said that she was in the process of launching a new album.
"The album is going to be a bit different than the Nelly you are used to. There will be a mix of songs, some romantic and some in the Egyptian accent.
Nelly is also filming a new video clip for her song, Mhtaga leik, (I need you).
Jewellery
Leon Hatot's Le Temps d'Aimer (time for love) collection is suave and simple with a touch of romance.
The romance comes from the Arabic writing on the collection which compromises a pair of earrings, watch, bracelet and pendant.
The writing is engraved around the dial, the earrings and the pendant.
The writing is a unique and romantic touch to this limited edition collection that comes either in diamonds, garnets or sapphires.
Diamonds were chosen because they represent the purity of feeling, orange garnets for passion, and pink sapphires for romanticism.
The crocodile skin straps of the watches echo the colour of the stones — pink, orange and a black strap for the diamond collection.
Who is Nelly?
Nelly started her musical career in the amateur TV programme Kaass El Noujoum presented on LBC, where she won first place and got three golden cups. She was studying law at the same time.
After her success in Kaass El Noujoum she devoted herself to music and published three albums in three years, the first was Shouf el Ein, her second was Ahli Arab and her third was Ana Eh.
She began appearing on magazine covers. She performed several festivals and parties in Lebanon, elsewhere in the Arab world and beyond.
She appeared on many Lebanese and Arab TV shows and has made six video clips.
She is currently continuing her musical studies.
Her hobby: Swimming.
Favourite season: Summer.
Favourite food: Spaghetti.
Favourite fruit: Mango and Pineapple.
Favourite cars: BMW, Mercedes.
Nelly promotion
The jewellery box of the new Leon Hatot collection was designed to contain a free CD of Nelly's new album.
In other words, if you buy the 18,000 Swiss franc (Dh54,000), limited edition of the new Leon Hatot collection comprising a watch, pair of earrings, pendant and a bracelet, you get Nelly Makdessy's new CD for free.
The jewellery story
Leon Hatot died on September 11, 1953. Manfred A. Koch, area sales manager for a company of the Swatch Group, explained that Leon Hatot worked for some of the top jewellers in Paris.
He later opened his own workshop specialising in jewellery, precious metal engraving and quality watches. The Hatot workshops were famous. But when Leon died his work was forgotten.
"Our company bought the brand that is Leon Hatot and over 4,000 of his original sketches to revive the prestigious name of Leon Hatot. Based on these sketches and his earlier work we produced new collections. These collections remain faithful to the spirit of the founder while giving them a uniquely contemporary touch."
Leon Hatot's lifetime work was dedicated completely to women.
One of his most inspiring creations exhibited at the unveiling of his new collection is a watch that could be made into a bracelet.
The dial is covered with a diamond studded piece attached to the strap, making it look like a bracelet.
Koch says: "The idea was that a social lady would go to social events in the evening. At the time, it was and still is considered rude to check your watch at a social event. It meant you were bored. So Hatot thought that he would create a watch for a woman to use in the afternoon and later as a bracelet when she went out for dinner."
Last year was the 100th anniversary of the Leon Hatot brand.
