the matriarch, paula keshett
1947 - 2025
f Eugene built the collection, Paula built the house.
For more than four decades, Paula Keshett was at the heart of Maison Keshett, a true co-author of its vision. Her creative instinct, unwavering work ethic and rare ability to understand people shaped the character of the house as profoundly as any jewel within it.
Born in Poland, Paula emigrated to Australia with her family at the age of eight. The values that would define her life were established early: resilience, independence and an enduring belief in the importance of hard work. She often shared a simple philosophy that guided both her personal and professional life:
"Never rely on anyone. Only rely on yourself."
It was a principle she embodied completely.
From the earliest days of Keshett, Paula worked alongside Eugene. While he travelled in search of exceptional pieces, she held the fort, cultivating the relationships, maintaining the standards and ensuring that the house remained as much about people as it was about jewellery.
Paula possessed a rare ability to understand what clients were looking for, often before they could articulate it themselves. This was particularly true of her female clients. In an industry long shaped by male taste and male decisions, she brought something distinct: a genuine insight into what jewellery means to a woman, not merely as ornament, but as memory, identity and feeling. It was an understanding that could not be learned, only lived. Through patience, intuition and genuine connection, she built relationships that extended far beyond a single purchase.
Families returned across generations, not only because of the jewellery, but because of the trust she inspired. Paula loved jewellery with real depth, but she loved finding the right piece for the right person even more. She had a particular affinity for antique pieces, drawn to the history and character held within them, and took quiet pleasure in placing something rare into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate it. She was never interested in the statistics of a piece, the specifications, or any technical detail. Her measure was simpler and more instinctive: the piece should speak to you. If it doesn't speak to you, it isn't for you. That philosophy, part connoisseur, part matchmaker, became one of the hallmarks of the Keshett experience.
Impeccably dressed and always composed, she was rarely seen without her Colombian emerald ring, a piece that became as recognisable as she was. Within Melbourne's CBD jewellery world, Paula Keshett was a known and respected presence. Her business acumen, her eye and her distinctly personal approach to client service earned her a reputation that extended well beyond the boutique. She was featured in leading publications including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, recognised not only as a businesswoman but as a voice worth listening to.
As the house evolved, so too did her ambition for it. Following decades of success on Little Collins Street, Paula championed the opening of a second boutique within Melbourne's historic Block Arcade, a decision that marked an important new chapter and reflected her belief that Keshett should continue to grow while remaining true to its foundations.
Paula’s philosophy of leadership was as considered as everything else about her. She believed in listening deeply, learning constantly, and creating the conditions for others to bring their best ideas forward. She understood that true craft endures when respect for tradition meets genuine curiosity for what comes next. And she understood, perhaps above all, that the legacy of a house is not built in jewellery alone. It is built in people.
"Love what you do, learn from every experience, and focus on the legacy you leave through others."
Today, that legacy is alive. It lives in the culture she created, the relationships she nurtured and the generations of clients who continue to return. Paula Keshett was the keeper of relationships, the guardian of standards and the person who ensured that every client felt welcomed into the world of Keshett.
