Why My Grandmother Hated My First Creations

My grandmother Lalla Zohra had worn the same earrings for 40 years. Large, solid silver hoops, handcrafted by a master goldsmith in Meknes. When she moved her head, you could hear their familiar little tinkling.

My first AZOR creations were the opposite: modern, refined, and inspired by Pinterest trends. I was proud of my "international" side.

"Yasmina," she said to me, shaking her head, "your jewelry looks like it came from a European factory. Where's Morocco in that?"

Criticisms that hurt

At first, I defended myself: "Lalla, we have to evolve! Young women today no longer wear the same jewelry as before!"

“Evolve, yes. Deny your roots, no.”

She took my sketches one by one, analyzing them with that piercing eye she had for everything.

"That one looks like what you'd find in any jewelry store in Rabat. This one looks Spanish. And this, my dear, is low-end Chinese."

His words hurt, but I was beginning to understand.

The lesson of authenticity

One day, she took her bridal jewelry out of her box. Magnificent pieces, full of symbolism, where each curve told a story.

"Look carefully, Yasmina. Our ancestors didn't copy anyone. They created from their experiences, their beliefs, their environment. That's why their jewelry has survived through the centuries."

She was right. My creations were beautiful but anonymous. They had no identity of their own.

The creative turning point

It was thanks to her critiques that I developed our current lines. The "Dance of the Sky" kholkhal? Inspired by the patterns she embroidered on her caftans. Our Tifinagh collection? She was the one who inspired me to rediscover this alphabet.

"Now," she said to me, seeing my new creations, "I recognize my granddaughter. You create Yasmina, not generic."

The Invisible Legacy

My grandmother passed away last year. But her influence lives on in every piece of AZOR jewelry. The authenticity she demanded has become our signature.

Our customers often tell me, "Your jewelry has something special about it. You can tell there's a story behind it."

This story is about Lalla Zohra, who refused to let her granddaughter do anything ordinary. It forced me to dig deep inside myself to find what made me unique.

Thank you, Lalla. Your merciless criticism has made me a true creator.