Enjoying the Scenery: Misahara

Designer Lepa Galeb-Roskopp takes inspiration from her wide-ranging travels to create her colorful, sharp, sensual jewels.

Collections named Adriatic, Serengeti and Sahara are a reflection of Misahara founder Lepa Galeb-Roskopp’s wanderlust, as well as her ability to interpret memories and feelings through shapes and gemstones.

The prolific designer left the Silicon Valley development sector to make her mark on the New York jewelry industry in 2013. Leaving the family engineering company where she “learned the nuances of running a business through my father’s eyes” was “incredibly painful,” she says, but her passion for fashion and design felt like a calling she had to pursue.

From her side hustle of redesigning jewelry to launching her brand, her entrepreneurial skills came in handy. “I have my father’s genes; taking risks is in my nature,” she declares. “So I ventured to New York, and the story begins.”

You have lived in different places around the world, each with a distinct culture that has inspired your collections. How is your sentimental attachment to these locations present in your jewelry?
I am fortunate to have planted roots and established home bases around the world: Africa, Montenegro, New York City, Lake Tahoe, California. Each region is so unique.
Africa inspired the Serengeti collection — nothing like seeing the evolutionary process of Mother Nature.
I love the energy of New York City, and we are launching a new collection very soon inspired by cityscapes from around the world — the most famous one being New York.
Montenegro, with its unbelievable landscape between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, inspired the Adriatic collection.
Lake Tahoe and the surreal beauty of a lake sitting at 6,000 feet above sea level inspired many of my couture one-of-a-kind pieces.
I consider myself a global citizen, and having experiences around the world allows me to be endlessly inspired to create Misahara’s collections.

Your latest collection, Mosaic Ice Re-Imagined, feels like a departure from your more colorful lines. What took you to this new palette?
We love our clients, and over the years, I have heard many of them express an affinity for white metal and diamonds. With 2020 being such a tough year, I thought: Why not make a collection for these special people? I have worked with white gold before and diamonds, of course, but never have I designed an entire collection using only white gold and diamonds. The princess-cut diamonds are so special, and the entire collection is simple and yet strikingly beautiful.

How has Covid-19 impacted your jewelry making?
Covid-19 took away a bit of my mind’s freedom. I am like a gypsy and love seeing the world, and the option to travel was taken away when Covid-19 came along. Not to mention, my mind was constantly worried — not about me, but my family, my father, and the rest of the world. It was and is hard. Thankfully, I had our collections lined up, and my team got very creative, and we started to bring them to life once New York City reopened. More newness is on the way, too!

What’s next for Misahara?
There is so much on the horizon, and after this crazy year, I am really looking forward to 2021. More new collections are launching soon. Our longstanding partnership with Ferrari North America is going strong, and we cannot wait to be back at the racetracks with our clients. We have activated and built new retail partnerships over the past few months that will come to life very soon. Our existing retail partnerships are on the books for holiday trunk shows. The future is bright, and we are excited to continue sharing our brand and jewelry with the world.

Designer’s pick: Most cherished jewel
“The Garden of Eden ring is a piece I do not take off,” says Lepa Galeb-Roskopp. “It is traditional but with a Misahara flair, and it represents my three children and my husband. This is a piece that will pass down in my family for generations.”