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The story of Jordana Gheler and her meeting with Donata Meirelles. 
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Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, St Barth is renowned for its luxurious lifestyle, breathtaking landscapes, and now, its own high jewelry brand. Jordana Gheler, the creative force behind this emerging label, has designed a collection that captures the essence of the island while giving back through social projects. And at the center of this story lies an inspiring connection between Jordana and Brazilian fashion icon Donata Meirelles.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">A Friendship Sparkles Into Collaboration</h4>

Donata Meirelles, a trailblazer in Brazilian fashion with a 30-year career, has been a frequent visitor to St. Barth. Since her first trips to the island, she&rsquo;s trusted Jordana&rsquo;s tourism company, St Barth Connection, to curate her experiences. Over time, their professional relationship blossomed into a lasting friendship.
When Jordana decided to channel her love for the island into high jewelry, Donata became an essential part of the journey. &ldquo;After conducting extensive research and sketching designs, I sent my finalized collection to Donata for her opinion,&rdquo; Jordana shares. &ldquo;If she didn&rsquo;t like it, I knew I&rsquo;d have to rethink it&mdash;or not proceed at all.&rdquo;
Donata&rsquo;s response was immediate and enthusiastic: &ldquo;Jordana, the collection is stunning, I loved it. You can go ahead.&rdquo; Those words were all Jordana needed to confidently bring her vision to life.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">The Vision of St Barth Jewelry</h4>

Inspired by the island&rsquo;s natural beauty and vibrant culture, Jordana&rsquo;s pieces are more than just accessories&mdash;they&rsquo;re stories. Each design reflects elements of St. Barth, from its turquoise waters to its breezy elegance. Beyond aesthetics, the brand supports social causes close to Jordana&rsquo;s heart, ensuring the impact of her creations extends far beyond fashion.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Donata Meirelles: A Fashion Luminary</h4>

Donata Meirelles is no stranger to the world of luxury. Her career began at Daslu in 1989, where she became international director, curating collections from powerhouse brands like Chanel, Dior, and Valentino. She later joined Vogue Brasil as style director, shaping major events such as Vogue Fashion&rsquo;s Night Out and Veste Rio.
Today, Donata continues to lead the conversation in fashion as General Director of Forbes Life Fashion, a columnist for Forbes, and founder of the consultancy firm CFO11, which serves global brands and prestigious clients.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">A Shared Dedication to Excellence</h4>

The partnership between Jordana and Donata is built on mutual respect and a shared passion for creativity and philanthropy. Jordana&rsquo;s jewelry brand is a testament to the island&rsquo;s magic, while Donata&rsquo;s seal of approval reinforces the collection&rsquo;s timeless appeal.

With their collaboration, St Barth has gained more than just a jewelry brand&mdash;it&rsquo;s solidified its place on the global fashion map. As Donata herself might say, &ldquo;St Barth is a jewel.&rdquo;
PHILIPPE COMBRES: What was it about Jordana Gheler designs that resonated with you as a symbol of St. Barth&rsquo;s spirit?
DONATA MEIRELLES: St Barth has been a part of my life for years, and certain symbols here hold great significance, such as the local roof, turtles, iguanas... Creating jewelry that incorporates these icons caught my attention. Even more so, it was the way they were incorporated in a sophisticated manner. I loved the Iguana collection; as soon as I saw it, I wanted it. Both the style and the design captivated me. I also loved the Local Roof collection; the design she managed to incorporate into the earrings caught my attention&mdash;it&rsquo;s absolutely beautiful. I found the Crab bracelet to be unusual, an iconic special piece.

Iguana necklace in Yellow Gold and Emerald.

Bracelet from Local Roof Collection in Rose Gold, Brown Diamond, and Rubellite.

Necklace from Stone Wall Collection in Yellow Gold and Black Diamond,

Ring from Iguana Collection in Yellow Gold and Tanzanite.

PC: St Barth is often seen as a meeting point for luxury and relaxation. How do you think this atmosphere influences fashion and jewelry trends?
DM: The name St. Barth is more than just an island; it&rsquo;s a prestigious brand. A piece of jewelry with this connection evokes memories and exudes elegance.
PC: What do you think distinguishes Jordana Gheler jewelry from other luxury brands?
DM: The connection to the island. Jordana has embraced the island where she lives, loves, and respects deeply. I also appreciate the contribution she is making to local social projects. You purchase a piece of jewelry from a place you love, and at the same time, you contribute to the preservation of that place.

Necklace from Rope collection in Diamond Riviera and Canaã Emerald.

Bracelet from the Gustavia Night collection in White Gold with Black Diamonds and Brazilian Paraiba Tourmalines.

Ring from the Iguana Collection, crafted in yellow gold with citrine.

Bracelet from Crab Collection in White Gold, Diamonds, and Citrine.

PC: How does being in St. Barth inspire your personal approach to fashion and accessorizing?
DM: As an international French island in the middle of the Caribbean that welcomes people from all over the world, it naturally becomes a source of inspiration. I believe that a brand carrying the name St. Barth must embody the essence of the island. More than just the name, it should deliver a coherent narrative, a beautiful story that connects to its roots.

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The name St Barth is more than just an island; it's a prestigious brand. A piece of jewelry with this connection evokes memories and exudes elegance.&nbsp;
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PC: As a prominent figure in the fashion industry, what role do you think jewelry plays in creating a complete look?
DM: Jewelry is essential. Accessories and jewelry can completely transform the same outfit. For example, if you&rsquo;re wearing a black dress during the day with flat sandals and simple accessories, it creates one look. If you wear the same dress at night with statement jewelry and high heels, it becomes a completely different look.
PC: How does wearing Jordana Gheler make you feel, and what message do you think it sends to those who see you wearing her jewelry?
DM: The history of the island. New things. The true feeling of something special. As you can see in my pictures, you can use both for everyday wear and for a wedding.
PC: Do you think Jordana Gheler designs have the potential to make a lasting impact on the international fashion scene?
DM: Absolutely yes, beautiful and stunning pieces from a place like St. Barth...Word of mouth and social media can certainly turn them into internationally desired items. The brand is just starting and will reach the island&rsquo;s tourists, which already has a powerful impact. I know Jordana, and she won&rsquo;t spare any effort to go far beyond that and make a significant impact on the industry.
PC: Lastly, based on your experience, what advice would you give to Jordana Gheler as she seeks to expand her brand beyond St Barth?
DM: Never lose the brand&rsquo;s DNA, using as inspiration the power of the island that makes it a unique jewel.

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Photography by MARTHE SOBCZAK 
All <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">jewelry from <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">JORDANA GHELER
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Photo credit to Marthe Sobczak @marthesobczak, Donata Meirelles is wearing Iguana necklace,  earrings and bracelet in Yellow Gold, and Emerald, JORDANA GHELER

St Barth is a Jewel

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