Portrait of Simone, founder of SENGFAÏ: jewellery between Laos and Paris

Félicie
4 days ago
2 min read

Summer is here, and with it that irresistible urge to layer, to stack medallions and necklaces, to let a few bracelets clink against soon-to-be suntanned skin…

That's exactly what the handmade jewellery of Simone, founder of SENGFAÏ, is all about. A brand I was lucky enough to discover, and which struck me immediately: its quiet elegance, its materials, and the story hidden behind every piece.

Portrait of a Voyageuse: Simone, between Laos and Paris

Born in Marseille to parents from Laos, Simone grew up in a world where jewellery is far more than an accessory. At weddings, ceremonies and family celebrations, the women in her family would adorn themselves with layered necklaces, bracelets and earrings — so many signs of belonging and transmission. Those images never left her.

At 18, she entered the world of retail and spent over twenty years in the fashion industry. She developed a sharp eye, a real understanding of the product and of the women who wear it.

In 2020, during lockdown, Simone began imagining the jewellery she dreamed of wearing that summer — the pieces she herself longed to put on. She dove back into childhood memories, into her mother's jewellery, into the images of her Thai husband's family celebrations, rich with symbolism. SENGFAÏ was born from that: a personal desire that, little by little, became a real brand.

SENGFAÏ draws its inspiration from ancient jewellery of Laos and Thailand, reinterpreted through a resolutely contemporary, Parisian sensibility. Each piece is assembled by hand, in limited editions.

What I love most about these jewels is that they reveal themselves over time: you can wear them alone, pared back, or layer them freely and create your own composition. I've selected for you a turquoise necklace, stones I have always loved, a bracelet and Shell earrings for a taste of summer, and a Feather necklace to wear alone or mixed in. Find them in the Favourites section of the e-shop.

I want

Simone and Thailand

"Thailand holds a very special place in my heart. I love the vivid colours of the pagodas, the energy of the markets, the generosity of the street food, the warmth and welcome of the people. I also love the traditional outfits — their elegance and richness of detail. It's a country that echoes my own family story: my husband is Thai and my children share those roots. Every trip there reconnects me to something deeply intimate."