How I Got Here: Diane Goldstein Evolves Again Through Monoki

By Karen Dybis | May 09, 2025

Diane Goldstein (pictured) describes herself not only as a designer and business owner but also a spiritual being—and she says the jewelry she creates for her brand Monoki is a container for the energy that has pushed her forward to where she is now.

Monoki has a collection of necklaces called grigris—a word for talismans that offer luck and protection. “The grigris constantly evolve, but their essence stays the same: offering wearers a piece that holds meaning, energy, and a sense of connection,” Goldstein says.

Making Monoki’s jewelry, she adds, combines everything she has learned about fashion, artisanal craftsmanship, and spirituality since she started in the clothing and accessories business more than 20 years ago.

Amen necklace Monoki — *Horseshoes and their association with luck are the inspiration behind Monoki’s Amen necklace ($370).*

Goldstein was born and raised in France, where her mother, Hedva Ser, is an artist and her father, Jacques Goldstein, an architect. Her childhood revolved around creativity.

“Art, design, and craftsmanship were always a part of my daily life,” Goldstein says. “My mother and grandmother were both jewelry collectors, particularly pieces by Claude Lalanne. I inherited from my grandmother a beautiful Lalanne necklace, which felt like a miniature sculpture to wear around the neck.”

She received a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Paris’ École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in 1997, then moved to London and got a master’s at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1999.

GrisGris Egyptian Monoki — *The Grigri Egyptian necklace ($324) is full of enameled and gold-plated charms on a cotton cord.*

In the classroom, Goldstein learned how to tell a story through the clothing and accessories she created. Her education, as well as a job as a design assistant at luxury brand Chloé, helped her develop a strong vision while mastering the technical aspects of fashion.

After Chloé, Goldstein worked with Hussein Chalayan in London, a job she says deepened her understanding of avant-garde design and conceptual fashion. Later, she joined clothing company Paul & Joe in Paris, where she gained hands-on experience in design, trend forecasting, and the creative process.

But Goldstein says she felt like her real career started in 2002, when she debuted an eponymous accessories brand. She’s had her biggest success with the boho fashion line April May, which she founded in 2005 and named for the birth months of herself and her husband (also her business partner).

Heal Me rings Monoki — *Heal Me rings ($1,200) are carved from gemstones such as tiger’s eye and lapis lazuli.*

“April May was an exciting project that allowed me to explore my passion for creating unique, timeless pieces with a strong identity,” says Goldstein. “Throughout these experiences, I learned about running a brand, from design to production, as well as the importance of balancing creativity and business.”

The closure of April May after 10 years and a influential trip to Los Angeles led Goldstein to start Monoki, a Paris-based lifestyle brand that incorporates all of her interests. It features ready-to-wear women’s and men’s clothing (including kimonos and kimono jackets), accessories, and perfume, along with demi-fine and fine jewelry.

Among its standout jewelry pieces are rings that have the words “heal me” in 9k gold and are made with gemstones believed to have healing, spiritual, and protective properties.

“Jewelry naturally became a part of my creative universe,” Goldstein says. “I want Monoki jewelry to connect with the wearer on a deeper level, offering not just beauty but also energy and emotion. Monoki is more than just a brand—it’s a way of life.”

(Photos courtesy of Monoki)