Interview: Romina Cücülayef Özel on Building Modern Heirlooms And crafting Jewellery Rooted in Meaning.

Jewellery, at its most powerful, is never just decorative, it carries memory. For Romina Cücülayef Özel, founder of KYBELE STUDIO, that belief is the foundation of her brand.

What began as an intimate act of gifting - designing meaningful pieces for the women in her life, evolved into a label rooted in continuity, symbolism, and emotional weight. Inspired by inherited treasures from her mother and grandmother, Romina built KYBELE STUDIO around the idea of contemporary heirlooms: jewellery that feels timeless yet entirely at home in modern life.

From the nostalgic warmth of Eternal Summer to the reverence of the Heirloom Edit, her work sits between adornment and storytelling, pieces designed not just to be worn, but to be lived with

KYBELE STUDIO feels deeply symbolic and intentional. Can you take us back to the beginning, what was the personal moment or motivation that sparked the brand, and how has that original vision evolved as the label has grown?

KYBELE STUDIO began very personally, through gifting. I was designing jewellery for the women in my life, my mother, close friends, women I deeply admire, not as accessories, but as meaningful objects. In my family, jewellery has always been more than something you wear. It carries memory, emotion, and continuity. Pieces are passed down, worn again, and reinterpreted by different generations.

That idea became the foundation of the Heirloom Edit, where I paid homage to the women who came before us. The collection was directly inspired by the jewellery I inherited from my mother and my grandmother, pieces that may have aged, but never lost their presence or emotional weight. They hold stories, moments, and identities within them.

As the brand has grown, that original intention has not changed. It has simply expanded. What started as intimate, almost private creations evolved into a wider language of heirloom inspired design. Today, KYBELE STUDIO is about creating contemporary heirlooms. Jewellery that feels rooted, symbolic, and timeless, yet made for modern women and modern lives.

'Eternal Summer’ reads like a mood as much as a collection. What does “endless summer” mean to you personally, and how did your own memories, travels, or emotional landscapes shape this SS26 collection?

For me, “endless summer” is very personal. I was born and raised in Istanbul, a city that is naturally full of light and sunshine. Summer was never something distant for me, it was always present and shaping the way I experience colour, warmth, and rhythm.

I spent most of my summers on the Aegean coast, at our family summer house. Those summers defined what summer truly feels like to me. Life moved slower, days were long and bright, and everything felt more relaxed and open. Being close to the sea, surrounded by light, created a sense of ease that stayed with me.

That feeling has followed me into adulthood. Eternal Summer comes from those memories and that emotional space. It is not about a specific destination or a season that passes, but about holding onto warmth, light, and a sense of calm in everyday life.

The SS26 collection reflects this spirit. Brighter colours, fluid shapes, and an easy, sun filled energy run through the pieces. Eternal Summer is about carrying that feeling with you, wherever life takes you.

Your work sits at an interesting intersection of bold statement and everyday talisman. How do you think about positioning KYBELE STUDIO within the contemporary jewellery space-particularly between adornment, storytelling, and emotional connection?

I see jewellery as something you live with, not something you only put on. With KYBELE STUDIO, I am always thinking about how a piece feels as much as how it looks. I want the jewellery to have presence, but also to feel personal and easy to wear.

Each piece is designed to be worn in everyday life, yet still carry meaning. Some are bolder, some are more subtle, but they all hold a story. The emotional connection comes first. When a piece feels meaningful, it naturally becomes part of your daily ritual rather than just an accessory.

In the contemporary jewellery space, I see KYBELE STUDIO as sitting between adornment and storytelling. The pieces are expressive, but never only decorative. They are meant to be kept, layered, and worn over time. When jewellery connects emotionally, it becomes a talisman, something that stays with you and grows alongside you.

Sustainability and intention are increasingly important to discerning consumers. How does KYBELE STUDIO approach materials, craftsmanship, and production in a way that aligns with your values and long-term responsibility?

For KYBELE STUDIO, sustainability starts with intention rather than trends. I am very conscious about how and why a piece is made. We work in small batches and focus on quality, so nothing feels rushed or overproduced.

Materials are chosen carefully, with an emphasis on longevity and timeless appeal. I design pieces that are meant to be worn often and kept for years, not replaced season after season. Craftsmanship plays a big role in this. Many of our pieces are handcrafted, which allows for a slower and more thoughtful production process.

Long term responsibility, for me, is also about designing jewellery that does not feel disposable. When something is made with care and meaning, it naturally lasts longer, both physically and emotionally. That is the approach I follow with KYBELE STUDIO. Creating considered pieces that respect time, materials, and the people who wear them.

Luxembourg isn’t often spotlighted in global fashion conversations. How has designing from there, its multiculturalism, pace, and creative energy, influenced your aesthetic and the way you build your brand?

Designing from Luxembourg has given me a very grounded perspective. It is a small country, but incredibly multicultural, and that naturally feeds into the way I see and build the brand. Being surrounded by different languages, cultures, and points of view keeps my work open and flexible rather than fixed to one aesthetic.

The pace of life here is calmer compared to traditional fashion capitals. That slower rhythm allows space for reflection and intention. I am not creating under constant pressure to react or chase trends. Instead, I can focus on building the brand thoughtfully and at my own pace.

This distance from the noise has shaped KYBELE STUDIO in a positive way. The brand feels international, but not rushed. It is rooted in different influences, yet focused on substance and longevity rather than hype.

Who are you truly designing for? When you imagine someone wearing KYBELE STUDIO, what do they value, how do they live, and what do you hope your pieces give them beyond the visual impact?

When I design, I often think about the women who have come into my life and left a mark on me. Women who inspired me, supported me, challenged me, or simply stayed with me in meaningful ways. I find myself asking, would this feel right on her, would this reflect who she is.

I design for women who live with intention and depth. They value meaning over excess and choose pieces that feel personal rather than loud. Their lives are full and layered, and jewellery becomes part of their story rather than something separate from it.

Beyond how a piece looks, I hope KYBELE STUDIO gives a feeling of connection. Something familiar and grounding, almost like carrying a small reminder of strength, warmth, or memory. When a piece feels like it belongs to someone’s life, not just their outfit, that is when it truly matters.

At its core, KYBELE STUDIO reflects Romina Cücülayef Özel’s belief that jewellery should endure, emotionally as much as physically. Designed from Luxembourg, away from the urgency and spectacle of traditional fashion capitals, the brand moves with intention rather than haste. It is shaped by multicultural influence, personal memory, and a commitment to craft that resists disposability.

What began as a gesture of love toward the women closest to her has become something larger: an invitation to collect pieces that carry meaning forward. In a world driven by immediacy, Romina’s work feels like a quiet insistence on depth - on choosing objects that become part of your rituals, your memories, your lineage.

Contemporary heirlooms, yes. But more than that - jewellery designed to stay.