The success story of jeweller Patrick Mavros owes nothing to chance. Established in Zimbabwe and Mauritius, this family business fosters its originality, its roots and its independence. A firm favourite with BARNES Mauritius, and SoBARNES!
And to think that it was serendipity (or fate) that set the ball rolling when in 1978, Patrick Mavros, then a baker, created a pair of earrings for his wife Catja… They proved such a success that he decided to change career and went off to train in jewellery in Scotland before returning to Harare (Zimbabwe) to launch the company that would bear his name. Thus one of the finest 100% African luxury brands was born!
Placing the accent on his originality, Patrick Mavros chose to specialise in silver work and draws his inspiration from animal life, starting with elephants. The quality of his creations, from the finest pieces of jewellery to imposing table centrepieces, ensured that his reputation quickly spread across the entire African continent. And beyond, with the opening of a boutique in London in 2004. Whether rings, bracelets, pendants, cuff links and belt buckles, these pieces of jewellery emblematic of this ancient paradise have met with triumphant success among Hollywood stars and European royalty (but we won't name names just yet!).
Faced with the chronic political instability in Zimbabwe, Patrick Mavros decided to gain a foothold in Mauritus in 2006. A task he entrusted to one of his four sons, Forbes (business is a family affair for the Mavros, which just so happens to be one of the keys to their success). “We may have clients around the world, but we are first and foremost an African brand”, Forbes Mavros explained to SoBARNES. “Mauritius has brought fresh impetus to our work and new inspiration. But our DNA and values remain the same in both countries”. He also revealed that his father, his brothers and himself feel that they are vested with a mission: to export the talent and know-how of African creators throughout the world.
Forbes Mavros has opened a workshop/boutique in Pamplemousses, in a former 19th century foundry that has now regain its former nobility. Speaking of nobility (pardon the pun, it was just too tempting!), Patrick Mavros received a royal thumbs up in 2020 when the Duchess of Cambridge - whose outfits are analysed by international celebrity magazines - made several appearances wearing golden earrings from the Ocean Tides collection. The most observant of her fans will even have noticed that she wore them systematically for her Zoom meetings. And a little bird tells us that when Kate Middleton bestows her favours on a creator, the future is sure to be bright.
A claim to fame that has not distracted the Mavros from their human and environmental commitments in these troubled times. While Forbes (the son) joined forces with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, which received half of the proceeds of the Forged by the Ocean jewellery line that he designed during lockdown, his father (Patrick) helped filled the gap of schooling during the pandemic in the suburbs of Harare where the Zimbabwe workshop is based:
A family (and brand) to watch. Here at SoBARNES we take our hats off to them!
[email protected] with BARNES Mauritius
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Patrick Mavros Atelier, Beau Plan, Pamplemousses, ILE MAURICE
PatrickMavros.com / Tél. : +230 260 4333 / [email protected] / Instagram @Forbes_mavros
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