How Monica Vinader built an accessible luxury brand women actually buy for themselves

What happens when luxury stops being reserved for special occasions… and becomes something you can wear every day? In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, recorded live at Shoptalk Luxe in Abu Dhabi, Katie Street sits down with Colleen Conkling, SVP of Brand at Monica Vinader, to unpack how the brand helped redefine an entire category: accessible luxury. From its beginnings in 2008, Monica Vinader challenged the idea that fine jewellery had to be expensive, gifted, or saved for “big moments.” Instead, it created something different - high-quality, beautifully crafted pieces that women could buy for themselves, wear daily and feel connected to. But building a brand in this space isn’t just about price point. It’s about: Craftsmanship and responsible sourcing Design that feels like wearable art Creating emotional connection through personalisation And staying culturally relevant without chasing every trend Colleen shares how the brand balances aspiration with accessibility, why values matter more than ever in a crowded market, and how partnerships - like their recent collaboration with rising artist Sienna Spiro - are chosen with intention, not just reach. The conversation also explores a bigger shift happening in luxury right now. As AI accelerates content and production, brands are being pushed to stand out in more human ways - through tactility, authenticity, and meaning. Because when everything can be generated, what people value most is what feels real. If you’re building a brand, working in marketing, or trying to stay relevant in a fast-moving industry, this episode offers a clear reminder: And because this series is part of our partnership with Shoptalk Luxe, if conversations like this one spark ideas then you'll definitely want to be in the room next time! Shoptalk Europe 2026 is already shaping up to be HUGE. If retail, tech and innovation sit anywhere in your world, now's the time to get your ticket and get it in the diary here: https://europe.shoptalk.com/home?utm_source=mediapartner&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=marketing-in-the-madness-podcast Subscribe to the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UUIgMdZ6FdSCrux5BY7PI?si=c48bdbecb5be4a6e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-in-the-madness/id1688996981 Connect with us: Colleen Conkling LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleengarganconkling/ Katie Street  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/