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Emirates Woman
19 hours ago
- Business
- Emirates Woman
How I got my job as... the founder of fine jewellery label Sapfira
This week, we speak to Valeria Hordiyenko, founder of fine jewellery label Sapfira. Up and coming, the brand's specialty lies in reinventing the notion of a fine jewellery brand and adding their twist to it. Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series 'How I got my job as…' where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they'd give to those starting out; and the hurdles they've had to overcome. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Valeria (@sapfira_vh) This jewellery brands marries the exclusivity of a traditional fine jewellery brand with cool silhouettes and cuts, making each of their pieces one of a kind. To delve into her journey, Emirates Woman sat down with Valeria to see how it all began. What was your favourite subject at school? English was definitely my favorite subject. I've always had a natural interest in languages and feel grateful to have had the opportunity to start learning them at an early age. I now speak five languages, which has helped me greatly in connecting with people from different cultures. What was your first job? My first job was an internship at a jewelry company based in Monaco while I was studying at the Gemology School. I was responsible for managing the stock of jewelry and gemstones. This experience allowed me to apply my gemological knowledge in a real-world setting and deepen my understanding of the industry beyond the academic side. What brought you to Dubai? Dubai is a vibrant hub of luxury, innovation, and diversity. I was drawn to its international energy and appreciation for high-end design. It's a place where art, fashion, and business intersect—which makes it a natural fit for Sapfira and for me personally as a designer and entrepreneur. What inspired you to enter the design and jewellery space and launch Sapfira? My journey started with a fascination for gemstones—their stories, their energy, their uniqueness. Over time, I realized I wanted to create more than custom pieces; I wanted to build a brand that tells a story. That's how Sapfira was born. It's a way to merge my gemological background with a bold, artistic vision of modern luxury. Talk us through the concept. Sapfira is about contrast: futuristic forms and traditional craftsmanship, cold aesthetics and emotional storytelling. Our current collection, Mercurial, is inspired by the fluidity and power of mercury. The jewelry is designed to be sculptural, statement-making, and timeless—crafted from Silver 925 and natural or lab-grown stones. Every piece invites the wearer to stand out and express individuality. What are the key elements of your role? As a founder and designer, I wear many hats. I'm involved in every aspect—from creative direction and product development to marketing and brand storytelling. I also work closely with our artisans in Thailand and our clients around the world. Maintaining quality and vision across every detail is essential to me. Talk us through your daily routine. No two days are exactly alike, but I usually start my day with sport. Then I switch to creative work: sketching, planning new collections, or working on campaigns. I also spend time engaging with our community online and researching new ideas and inspiration. Later in the day, I try to unwind a bit by doing a simple home routine and spending some quality time with my family—it helps me stay grounded and balanced. What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in your footsteps? My advice is: make sure you truly love what you do. Don't just follow trends or do something because it looks glamorous from the outside. When you genuinely enjoy your work, you're willing to give it your time, energy, and attention—and that's what helps you grow and create something meaningful. Passion is what keeps you going, even during the most challenging moments. Tell us more about Sapfira and its launch. The goal with Sapfira was to introduce something different, every piece is designed to make a statement without saying a word. It all began with custom creations—unique, personal designs that reflected individual self-expression. Over time, the brand evolved with the launch of our collection, which continues to carry that spirit of individuality, but with a clear aim: to stand out from the crowd and offer something that feels truly distinctive. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? I think the best advice I've ever received is never stop learning. In our fast paced world, it's so important to stay curious, keep evolving, and remain open to new ideas. Being aware of how the world is developing and growing along with it allows you to stay relevant, inspired, and ready for what comes next. And what is the worst? I can't recall a specific piece of bad advice, but I think the worst kind of advice would be to 'play it safe' or 'stick to what's already working.' If I had followed that, I wouldn't have taken the risks that led me to where I am today. Growth often comes from stepping into the unknown, experimenting, and doing things differently—even if it's uncomfortable at first. What's the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? One of the biggest challenges I've had to overcome was moving to another country at a young age and building my life from scratch here in France. I came to study and was full of excitement—I wasn't afraid of the unknown, but looking back, it was definitely a major challenge. Adapting to a new culture, language, and lifestyle pushed me to grow quickly, and it shaped the person I am today. What's the future of the brand? We're growing organically but with ambition. Sapfira will continue expanding internationally. New collections are coming, and so are new ways to connect emotionally with our audience. The future is bold, just like our jewellery. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied
Irish Independent
27-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
What is a birth chart in astrology – and what does yours say about you?
Visually, it appears as a circle: you can imagine the upper half representing the sky above the horizon, and the lower half showing the part of the sky below the horizon. A birth chart is made up of three essential components: the 12 zodiac signs, the 12 houses and the 10 planets (including the Sun and Moon). Each of these parts represents specific energies, and their arrangement emphasises or de-emphasises certain personality traits and life themes. The part of a birth chart most people know is their Sun sign. When someone asks, 'What's your zodiac sign?' they're really asking, 'Which zodiac sign was the Sun in at the moment of your birth?' While the Sun sign is important, it only tells a small piece of the story. In reality, everyone has multiple prominent zodiac signs represented in their birth chart. While not all 12 signs will carry the same 'volume', it's common for at least two or three to stand out as significant influences. I like to think of this as a colour palette. When we bring these emphasised signs together, they create a unique vibe. Some palettes blend complementary shades, while others feature stark contrasts – both are beautiful in their own way. This explains why some people display contrasting personality traits, while others behave consistently across different situations. Similarly, every chart highlights a different set of what I like to call 'main character planets'. For example, someone might be considered Mercurial (Mercury as main character energy) if they're naturally chatty and curious, or Venusian (Venus as main character energy) if they're social and diplomatic. Finally, when we look at the houses in a birth chart, we're exploring major life topics: things like home, siblings, relationships, career and more. The birth chart can also reveal which life areas may offer the most personal growth over a lifetime, and how best to navigate those themes.
Refinery29
17-07-2025
- General
- Refinery29
Mercury Retrograde In Leo Is Going To Be A Rollercoaster For You
Welcome to this summer's Mercury retrograde in Leo. From July 18th to August 11th, the quicksilver celestial entity revisits a story that began on June 30th (so take notes to see how it maps out) and ends on August 25th (when the post-retroshade ends). All aboard the Mercurial rollercoaster that will dominate the summer! The planet of communication, Mercury, backslides in the sky approximately every three months. So three to four times a year the trickster planet slows down in speed, a time known as Mercury retrograde, often seen as having the potential to create havoc for us earthlings. We can experience difficulties in travel, communication, and technology. There may be disagreements with people due to the lack of clarity in a conversation or confusion over the tone in a text or email. The retrograde is also a time when old ghosts choose to resurrect themselves. Exes, former acquaintances, and people we haven't heard from in a while come back into our lives, welcome or not. But their reappearance is often temporary and may not go anywhere or result in anything significant. Yes, getting clarity on what went wrong and having closure is excellent. However, the connection fizzles out faster than a flat Aperol Spritz once Mercury turns direct. Once again, we could feel confused and heartbroken. Dating during Mercury retrograde could go either way. We might feel we've met a kindred spirit on the apps, leading us to jump into situationships immediately. As long as we go with the flow and don't commit to anyone, the capacity for the ship to go on is high. The relationships we form might not make sense to anyone, not even to the people involved, so it's best to live in the moment and not think about the future. As this summer's Mercury retrograde is in Leo, we can expect to receive big declarations of love and emotion, regardless of whether they're real. We will be doing the same. But we need to take the time to examine our own feelings. We must avoid situations if the amorous, intense statements we're hearing make us dizzy or anxious. If we're feeling positive and our fire ignites, then we might want to shift with the vibe. Gauge the matter by protecting your energy from hurt by regularly cleansing your home and space with herbs like sage and frankincense. But the best way to rid ourselves of negativity and to keep our vibe right is to ensure we're in good spirits. For the most part, this retrograde will be aspecting Venus in Gemini. With this close planetary connection, we will be dealing with romantic situations and notions that may open our minds to new ways of loving. The only way to get through the retrograde unscathed is to focus on what matters most to us. Meditate and contemplate on how you wish to move forward. Do not take any action until you know for sure how you want to proceed. The most critical relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself and doing anything that goes against your intuition or puts you in any harm is a red flag. The greatest love of your life is you and you'll begin to realize this during Mercury's backsplash. July 31st is the most crucial day of Mercury retrograde because the trickster planet aligns with the sun in Leo. Astrologically, this transit is called 'cazimi,' meaning that Mercury is in the heart of the sun. The force gives Mercury power and enthusiasm to act correctly and with greatness. Use this date to make plans, schedule meetings or appointments, connect with others, and to take charge of your life. Knowing how to move with the cosmic energy will help us make strides amidst the uncertainty of Mercury retrograde.
NZ Herald
03-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Marsh attempting to teach old sprinting dog some new tricks
Well-performed sprinter Mercurial has progressed well since his resuming effort and with the addition of headgear at Te Rapa, he's expected to be more of a force to be reckoned with. The son of Burgundy will step out in the Group 1 Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) tomorrow with promising apprentice
Refinery29
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Venus In Gemini Is Here — It's Time For You To Manifest
Life is getting a little lighter from July 4th to 30th, when Venus strolls into the air sign Gemini. We'll want to be cool, calm, and collected in the upcoming weeks as well as extra communicative about our feelings. We will have a lot to let out and not enough time to do so. Unfairly, Venus in Gemini gets a lot of hate. The mirror has two faces, but that doesn't mean that either one is bad. It's all about perspective during this period, so think about what you wish to manifest. Opening ourselves up to enriching opportunities outside our comfort zone will be exhilarating, so we shouldn't hold ourselves back. Say 'yes' to invites that you usually would decline to cultivate a community with like-minded folks. Be a social butterfly. Spread your wings and fly. Why do we love Venus and Gemini so much? For starters, we become more curious, playful, and fun. Expressing ourselves will be easier than usual because we can understand our feelings more deeply and, following on from that, communicate those feelings with care and respect. It's a great time to get to know someone we've just met by sharing our aspirations and goals. Venus and Gemini are super optimistic, and we can encourage others to live their best lives and strive for greatness. There is no judgment when Venus is in Gemini since we genuinely want to see others succeed. This isn't an ideal time to commit to endeavors or others because Venus-Gemini wants to be free. No one will want to dominate or control those they care about; instead, they will offer camaraderie and liveliness. As long as the person has a sharp mind and sense of humor, we'll find that there is an attraction looming beneath the surface. Obvs, we'll be yapping nonstop (Venus is in a Mercurial sign). Send the text and the email, just be patient while waiting for a response. Other people aren't working on our timeline, so it's not exactly doom or gloom if they take a beat to get back to us. Venus in Gemini can have no chill at moments, creating unnecessary issues that aren't worth the drama. We'll have to laugh it off and focus on pursuits that matter.. Watch out for overspending during this transit. Venus in Gemini isn't known to be in tune with bank account statements or credit card bills due to its frivolous and impulsive nature. Picking up the bar tab at happy hour might seem like a charming way to show gratitude, but it'll leave you in a financial pinch. Make sure you opt to split the bill or send Venmo requests immediately. If possible, try to shop the sales. Don't blow your paycheck the minute you get it. Save a few dollars to have a safety net. The next several weeks are going to be interesting when it comes to partnerships and money matters. Venus in Gemini harmonizes with Saturn and Neptune retrograde on July 6th, making us dream of our next vision. The following day, Pluto retrogrades in Pluto, stirring the pot and bringing us power struggles and emotional turbulence. The best advice is to keep your thoughts within your inner circle and to give advice when asked. You don't need to deal with other people's messiness instead of your own. On July 21st, Venus squares the Nodes of Destiny, offering us a choice of how to proceed. Venus and Mars in Virgo shake up our desires on July 23rd — send a sexy text to your crush that makes you both blush on that date.
