These majestic earrings represent the quintessence of the oriental jewelry. They were created in the breathtaking mountains of the Aurès region, in the heart of the ancestral lands of the Berber people. Their fabulous history, even more than any other jewel from this land, reflects the independence of this people fiercely in love with freedom.

In 1964, Joseph Leo Mankiewicz's "Cleopatra", a film about the reign of the Egyptian queen, was an Oscar winner. The following year, a rival studio decided to embark on a similar venture. The ambition was to dethrone the most expensive film in the history of cinema. The studio decided to produce "Barbaros", convinced by the strength of the script, which tells the story of the resistance of the indigenous peoples of North Africa against the various invaders.

As the costume designer for this new project, Lina had a lot of pressure on her frail shoulders, as the Oscar for best costume design had also been won by "Cleopatra". In the eyes of the production, it was imperative to get a nomination at the next ceremony. Or even to win the statuette in the category for the film.

Lina's assistant had already done a very good job with the costume design. Lina, on the other hand, was concerned with the creation of accessories. She knew from experience that they usually made all the difference in the recognition by her peers and the attribution of awards. And so far, none of her team's proposals had transcended her...

Continuing the study of the historical figures featured in "Barbaros". Lina focused on the spearhead of the resistance to the Arab invasion of North Africa in the 7th century: Queen Dihya, known as the Kahina, one of the first great female figures in history. The illustrations of this Berber warrior queen were sublime. Lina felt challenged by the representation of her finery and jewelry.

The rest is here: From the Orient to Hollywood, part 2