Eugenie Niarchos was that kid who saw her mother’s closet as her laboratory, playing with color, pattern, and shape at whim while adding her handmade accessories as simple as a rubber-band bracelet as the finishing touch.
Maturity and internships at fashion houses opened Niarchos’ eyes to how quickly a piece of clothing went out of fashion—it was just as Heidi Klum famously quipped, “One day, you’re in. And the next day, you’re out.”
However, jewelry was the one item on a model or in the photo shoot that maintained its stature. Those gemstones weren’t throwaway objects. Rather, jewelry permanence and its connection to time and nature beguiled Niarchos.
Today, as the creative director of fine jewelry brand Venyx, Niarchos says she has the best job possible. She gets to mix her artistic inspirations—from Monet to Man Ray to Japanese manga—alongside some of nature’s best works, whether it is a colorful tourmaline or a perfect diamond.
Her newest capsule collection, Chikara, uses the bold colors and designs from 1990s Japanese anime and blends it with carved gemstones, enameled leaves, and precious metals to develop jewelry that connects to its name, which means strength and power.
Niarchos describes Venyx as its own world, a universe of her making. The name comes from the words Venus, which represents harmony, and onyx, which speaks to grounding and protection. Bring in Niarchos’ own distinctive sense of style, and Venyx is the result.
Niarchos defines her style as one that crosses between time periods, which reflects her upbringing. Her family traveled the world, but she spent most of her early years in Paris. There, she was exposed to France’s rich heritage of royal and historic jewelry in museums and special exhibitions.
“The exceptional craftsmanship and intricate design captivated me, sparking a lifelong appreciation,” Niarchos says. “To me, jewelry became a tangible link to different eras, a piece of history that transcends time and connects us to the past through artistry and beauty.”
After high school, Niarchos had a variety of internships in the fashion world as well as what she calls her first “real job” at Christie’s Fine Jewelry department, where she worked alongside industry experts.
“It was there that I learned the importance of understanding the historical and artistic value of each piece, as well as the precision required in jewelry curation,” Niarchos says. “This experience deepened my appreciation for craftsmanship and taught me the business side of the luxury market.”
A pivotal career shift happened when her friend Gaia Repossi asked Niarchos to codesign a jewelry collection for her family’s company.
“This collaboration was a pivotal moment in my career, as it revealed my passion for jewelry and its unique ability to merge, art, design, and storytelling,” Niarchos says. “Growing up in a family with a deep appreciation for the arts had shaped my creative instincts and solidified my design to pursue this path.”
Niarchos furthered her education at the GIA, where she studied fine jewelry design and diamonds. “The program taught me both the technical aspects of working with precious stones and the creative process behind jewelry design,” Niarchos says.
Niarchos debuted Venyx in 2013 to channel her imagination into something long-lasting—jewelry that combines her love for art, travel, the cosmos, and design.
“My jewelry philosophy centers on creating pieces that are timeless and futuristic, blending organic shapes with modern materials. Jewelry should feel like a treasure, something meaningful and personal to the wearer,” Niarchos says.
Top: Venyx founder Eugenie Niarchos (photos courtesy of Venyx)
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