STORIES FROM THE ATELIER: LIONHEART

one of my favorite movies has a line that became a classic, quoted by so many over the years:

“life is like a box of chocolates. you never know what you’re gonna get.”

and that couldn’t be more true in this case.

whenever i go to jewelry shows, i try not to have expectations, only a positive outlook.

this time, i won the lottery of chocolates, one might say.

meeting sarah and joy at Nouvelle Box last march was one of the highlights of my year. and what a difficult year it had been.

we immediately connected (and i must thank you, duvall, for this). we laughed, talked about jewelry, our families, life… we cried. and we found in each other something very special: a friend.

our scandinavian backgrounds, our love for my beautiful brazil, my admiration for their iranian culture - one could say this was written in the stars.

even our impromptu dinner was simply the best.

they are talented, committed, incredible entrepreneurs, driven by passion.

their work is impeccable: pieces filled with depth, meaning, culture, and most important of all, stories.

it is my honor and privilege to call them my friends.

i’m sure we’ll meet again, either here in france or wherever the wind may take us.

here is a bit of their story: the lovely sisters, sarah and joy, founders of lionheart.

https://lionheartjewelry.com/

How Lionheart Began (Joy’s Answer)

Lionheart grew out of our shared experiences, from our upbringing in Denmark, shaped by simplicity and intention, to New York, which opened us up creatively and gave us the freedom to be more expressive and bold. That contrast came to define the brand.

For me, it started with a deep connection to gemstones and storytelling, creating pieces that carry meaning, like modern talismans. After working on the corporate side of the jewelry industry, I felt a strong pull to create something more personal. I became drawn to gemstones, their individuality, their color, and the way they transform — a quiet realization that jewelry is where storytelling, craftsmanship, and emotion come together.

Our grandmother had a lasting influence. Her pieces carried memory and individuality, and she believed jewelry was meant to be worn, not kept. It became something deeply personal, something that lives with you every day.

That became the foundation of Lionheart — creating modern heirlooms that carry meaning over time. The brand had been forming for years, but there was a moment when it truly began. My first call was to Sarah. I gave her the code word “Lionheart,” and she immediately understood we were building something meaningful together.

Challenges We’ve Faced (Joy’s Answer)

As with any growing brand, we’ve learned how to expand while staying true to the emotional depth and intention Lionheart was built on. Because the brand is rooted in meaning, every decision carries weight, and we remain mindful of maintaining that sense of intimacy as we grow.

As the brand evolves, I think about how to grow in a way that preserves that connection. Growth only matters if it deepens the emotional experience rather than detracts from it.

Another part of the journey has been balancing the creative process with building a business — the tension between moving slowly and intentionally in design, and the realities of growing a brand. Learning to navigate that while staying true to our values has been essential.

At the same time, building this together as sisters has meant growing in how we communicate and collaborate, strengthening both the brand and our relationship.

Our Aspirations for the Future (Sarah & Joy)

Looking ahead, our hope is to continue building something lasting, not just in presence, but in meaning. We hope Lionheart becomes something people keep close over time — pieces that hold memory, reflect identity, and become part of their lives.

We want to grow in a way that feels intentional, creating pieces that resonate on a personal level while preserving the intimacy and emotion that define the brand.

joy and sarah haugaard

instagram LIONHEART