"I’ve been working at A Beautiful Story for ten years now, and what truly moves me is that this is a brand with a mission. Yes, we create jewelry, but above all, we create fair employment opportunities. That is where the real value lies for me."

The brand was founded in 2006 by Cathelijne Lania, who, after volunteering in Nepal, decided to leave her corporate career behind. She saved a silver workshop from closure and started a jewelry brand focused on empowerment, craftsmanship, and fair trade. Today, A Beautiful Story collaborates with multiple producers, including partners in Nepal and India.

A community rooted in craftsmanship and care
Roos vividly recalls her first visit to Nepal: “It was my very first time there. We drove up into the mountains to a villa with a beautiful garden. Women were stringing the most intricate patterns bead by bead. They lunch together, work together… it’s a real community. Not a factory as you might imagine, but a warm place full of craftsmanship and attention.”

What makes A Beautiful Story unique is the symbolism behind each product. “Our jewelry is made with gemstones that carry specific meanings. Black onyx, for example, represents strength and grounding. So if someone has exams, gifting this stone can offer support. It’s jewelry, but it’s also a message—a little boost when you need it.”

Roos wears her pieces consciously. “Every time I put one on, I think: this is what I need right now. It gives me strength. I tell my own story, and the jewelry reminds me of that every day.”

Stories that matter
Personal stories also emerge on the production side. Roos recounts a female producer who has been working with the brand for years: “She needed a kidney transplant and later said, ‘Without this job, I couldn’t have afforded it.’ Today, she still works with us and has even progressed to the sample process. Stories like these… that’s what we do this for.”

The brand’s impact is felt not only in Nepal but also in the Netherlands. “We’ve really become a family. Our colleagues in the Netherlands and abroad know each other; we stay in daily contact. Twice a year, team members travel to Nepal. That’s not just work—that’s connection.”

When asked what motivates her after all these years, Roos doesn’t hesitate: “I get to do what I love—working with fashion, jewelry, retail—and at the same time, I know I’m contributing to something bigger. That’s a tremendous privilege. That’s why I’ve been working here for ten years with so much passion.”


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Source: Textilia


Translated with AI