When Nabila Bashir-Bello founded Nabs and Babs at the end of 2021, it was far more than the launch of another jewelry brand; it was a tribute, a legacy, and a philosophy of living with intention. Named in honor of her late brother, Babatunde “DJ Babus” Bashir-Bello, the brand embodies authenticity, creativity, and the spirit of uplifting others. His vision resonates through every piece, allowing jewelry to serve as both adornment and narrative.
At its core, Nabs and Babs celebrates the connections we share with loved ones and the narratives that shape our being. The jewelry is as meaningful as it is beautiful. A prime example is the DJ Babus Pendant Necklace, crafted from recycled gold and silver, with the inscription “DJ Babus” in his handwriting. This delicate piece is a wearable archive of love, carrying forward the legacy of a visionary who left too soon.
Yet the brand is not solely focused on sentiment. Nabs and Babs actively engages in the global conversation around sustainability, adhering to the highest ethical and environmental standards. As a proud certified B Corporation and member of 1% for the Planet, the brand commits a portion of its revenue to environmental nonprofits and maintains a planet-first ethos. “We’re trying to take the best steps we can to help the planet, knowing there’s always more to learn and improve on,” Bashir-Bello explains. This commitment is evident in their use of recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, and ethically sourced gemstones, all while collaborating with partners who prioritize fairness and ecological responsibility.
The Sahab Hoops exemplify this duality of purpose and design. Inspired by ancient Egyptian figurative art, these sculptural sterling silver hoops curve and flow like living architecture. Handmade from recycled silver and finished with both matte and high-polish touches, they capture light beautifully, demonstrating that sustainability and luxury can coexist. They also represent the heart of the brand’s identity: hoops as a signature. “Hoops have always been a jewelry classic, but at Nabs and Babs they’ve become a signature of our design language – architectural, organic, and story-driven,” states Bashir-Bello. The Sahab Hoops eximplify this vision at its boldest, with sweeping lines that are true head-turners, while the Sahab Minis distill the same elegance into an effortless everyday size. Alongside playful twists like the Lilo Hoops and the sculptural lightness of the Hiba Hoops, the collection proves that a hoop can be more than a staple; it can carry story, individuality, and timeless style that you can return to again and again.
In discussing materials, Bashir-Bello highlights silver for its strength and versatility, and gold for its warmth and beauty. “Lab-grown stones rival the finest gems in brilliance and durability, offering true luxury with a lighter footprint,” she shares. This balance of beauty and conscience has become the brand’s defining philosophy. In 2023, Nabs and Babs received a Bronze International Design Award for their organic, structural aesthetic. “Winning felt like validation that our approach — blending organic, structural forms with emotional storytelling — resonated on an international stage,” she reflects.
Every piece originates from a story, a sketch, or a spark of imagination. The design process begins with a meaningful vision followed by material selection. This deeply personal approach ensures that each jewel not only conveys the brand’s narrative but also allows the wearer to create their own meaning.
In a fashion landscape increasingly attentive to sustainability, Nabs and Babs positions itself not just as a jewelry brand, but as a cultural statement. By embedding B Corp accountability, ethical sourcing, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into its foundation, the brand asserts that luxury must be responsible. Its jewelry eschews fast trends in favor of longevity, intentionality, and resonance.
Ultimately, Nabs and Babs transforms jewelry into narrative. Each pendant, hoop, and chain becomes an artifact of memory and conscience, an invitation to carry meaning intimately. In sculpting silver and gold, Bashir-Bello has crafted a legacy that honors her brother, her values, and the future of sustainable fashion. As the brand grows, it offers more than adornment; it provides a way to wear memory, to wear connection, and to embody the future of jewelry itself.
