MEDLEY OF MALA BEADS

MARKETING GURU DAMIEN JOUBERT-WINN SHARES HIS JOURNEY OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND HIS PASSION FOR MINDFULNESS AND MALA BEADS

While he may jest, Damien is incredibly serious about talking unashamedly and openly about mental health. He’s suffered from depression for many years, caused in part by work and stress. “[I put] so much pressure on myself to make sure that everything is done to beyond perfection,” he says.

It was a more recent bout of depression that made him re-evaluate things and make some changes. “Moving to South Africa, trying to settle in and then the arrival of Covid putting incredible pressure on the wine industry,” notes Damien, were all triggers.

It started with a friend inviting him to a yoga retreat in 2019. Here he experienced forms of breathwork, yoga and meditation, and he immediately felt at home. Damien has been an ardent yogi ever since, striving to understand the deeper practice of yoga.

“I also started meditation at around this time using the Synctuition app. It offers a tutored meditation,” he says. “For half an hour I would sit on a specific yoga mat, burn Palo Santo – a sacred wood incense – and stick my earphones in.” Damien then started researching and using meditation or mala beads which, he adds, he is now covered in.

Each loop contains 108 beads which represent various assigned recitations to be worked through during meditation. The tassel symbolises strands of chaos coming into order. As Damien explains, “I loved the idea that we repeat some gratitudes or something we would like to manifest, which could be love or good intentions.”

He was first gifted a set of beads before starting to make them for himself and his friends. But ever the perfectionist, the materiality, belief and meaning behind all his mala beads are fundamental. He chooses stones that are relevant and that have certain properties.

“The point of wearing stones and crystals is that whether they do what you think they are going to do or not – and I do believe they work – I would rather have something harmless around me that could help, than not have it at all. It’s also about your mentality creating that reality.”

Sourcing them is difficult though as he endeavors to use the most natural and sustainable raw materials, and those with the least human intervention. He says, “The precious stones need to have good intentions behind the whole process which includes sourcing, producing and purchasing them, before making them into something.”

He also includes several rare rudraksha –the dried stones from a stone fruit which are believed to have sacred values – in his mala beads. “In terms of the thread, I first used silk until I found out that millions of silkworms are killed in the process, then I used cotton which came under fire due to unsustainable practices in cotton fields. So, I have really had to go into depth to find a suitable thread,” he says. ■

MALACHITE is related to medical health and encourages detoxification, drawing things out and protecting against external toxins and free radicals.”

“Many people use ROSE QUARTZ as it’s an incredible stone, recognised for its emotional support and healing. I wear it as a self-healing stone that promotes emotional healing.”

OBSIDIAN is not technically a gemstone – it’s actually a naturally occurring volcanic glass, but powerful, nevertheless. It draws out stress and tension, clearing out ancient trauma and encouraging personal growth.”

“AMETHYST is a stone my grandfather used to wear, so it has a personal connection. But it also has protective, spiritual and meditative properties which improve my practice. It calms my mind and spirit and helps me get into a space where everything drops away and I can connect with my inner self.”

PANERAI CEO JEAN-MARC PONTROUÉ HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN INNOVATOR. IT WAS NO SURPRISE THEN, WHEN PANERAI RELAUNCHED A TOTALLY UNBRANDED WATCH FACE THIS YEAR – AND IT’S A HIT

WORDS JACQUIE MYBURGH CHEMALY

ON PANERAI’S UNIQUE RETAIL MODEL: Today we have more than 200 Panerai boutiques around the world, including one in Johannesburg. We believe that customers want an immersion in our world, and when they believe in a brand, they want a wide range to choose from.

ON PANERAI’S SIGNATURE GOOD LOOKS AND TRENDSETTING STYLE: For many years, Panerai has been referred to as a “Laboratorio di Idee” – an ideas workshop. In 1997, Panerai pioneered the idea of a large watch, and it is a design that remains one of the emblematic models in the watch industry. In the last couple of years, customers have requested a variety of sizes, but the 44mm remains the bestseller.

ON PERFECTING PANERAI’S RELAXED APPROACH: All the trends in the luxury world today point towards a major appetite for a more relaxed, sporty attitude. With Panerai being a sporty brand together with its Italian touch, we are something unique in the watch industry. Thanks to our design studio located in Milano and the fact that we are surrounded by many luxury fashion brands, we are able to regularly introduce new materials, new coloured straps and new evolution, like sustainability.

ON THE NEW RADIOMIR THAT HAS NO NAME ON THE DIAL: The special Radiomir California is a historical dial which has been developed with half Arabic and half Roman numbers. It was inspired by a repair done for an American customer who wanted to replace the historical dial with a new one; one which was not originally a Panerai dial. That’s why there isn’t the brand’s name on it. I am very proud to relaunch the unique Radiomir California in 2023, as all the communities of Panerai lovers know it is a Panerai.

ON THEIR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION: Four years ago, we developed a watch using more than 98 percent recycled elements. The Lab ID was a series of concept watches, but we strongly believe that we have to contribute to the protection of the environment. That’s why, for example, on 8 June this year, Panerai will be the official timekeeper of Ocean Day, and 800 of our employees around the world have committed themselves to collecting 10 tons of waste in all the cities in which we operate. This is not a trend, it’s a way of life.

ON

PANERAI’S SUPPORT FOR THE IMIBALA TRUST IN

SOUTH AFRICA: I was so impressed by Theo Willemse, the CEO of the Imibala Trust, and the efficiency of the work done by Imibala in South Africa’s townships. The fact that this foundation is dedicating close to 100 percent of its donations to supporting their work is most impressive. I’ve visited some of the townships where they operate and am impressed by the impact Imibala is making on people’s lives.

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE AT PANERAI? The Paneristi community is an organisation very close to my heart. We support them but we do not control them, and I often see many of these Panerai enthusiasts around when travelling. In 50 years, I would like the Paneristi to say that we have developed iconic watches that stay true to the heritage of the brand and perpetuate the spirit of Italian masculinity, which Panerai stands for. ■