Degemer checkmate!
Today I invite you to discover the world of Maiwenn Nicolas, artistic director and creator of the Amour Breton brand. In a portrait that is both intimate and inspiring, Maiwenn shares her journey, her passions and her deep connection to jewelry. Through Amour Breton, she imagines designs and accessories as declarations of love to her Breton heritage and craftsmanship. I obviously feel a special connection with her work, which highlights popular traditions, iconographies and know-how of Brittany.
She has redesigned Gavottes biscuits, designed contemporary Breton earthenware jewelry for Armeria, and is preparing to release a book of Breton inspirations and coloring pages.
Through this interview, we will delve into her inspirations, her family stories, her love of colors... Make yourself comfortable and let yourself be carried away by Maiwenn's story, where each piece of jewelry becomes a vector of memories and feelings.
"My name is Maïwenn, I am originally from Brittany and I have been living in Paris for 10 years with my lover and my 4-year-old boy. I am passionate about creativity and Brittany, which is why I founded the brand Amour Breton three years ago, my creative laboratory where I explore the heritage of Brittany in all its forms. I also work freelance with brands on artistic direction and communication, and I am also a photographer. I would say that my creative style is colorful, optimistic and joyful.
What is your relationship with jewelry?
I always wear rings, they remind me of my mother's hands, who also wears a lot of them. I see them every day because my job is to type on the computer or draw, so it's important for me to have things in front of my eyes and on my fingers that amaze me. Before, I wore a lot of earrings, I love the XXL ones that sparkle brightly, but with the bike helmet I had to review my priorities. I keep that for special occasions. I find that it always dresses up an outfit, it brings a diva side that I love.
Are you more into jewelry or costume jewelry?
It depends. I like both. Like in a wardrobe, I find that having a basic jewelry is important to feel secure. For example, I have a very simple silver ring, a ring that my grandmother gave me when I was 18, inside it is engraved her name and date of birth so that I always have it with me. I chose it as pure as possible to be sure that it transcends fashions and seasons. And on the contrary for my 20th birthday, my mother gave me very fancy earrings in an old style with an emerald-colored stone that I still wear 12 years later. Because for me, "basic" does not mean "dark", I compose my basics around my lifelong obsessions. That's the advantage of being creative, is that you know your tastes pretty well, I think.
Rather old or contemporary?
For me, each piece of jewelry tells a story, that of the person who gives it to me, that of the designer sometimes, that of a moment in life... So there is no predefined style, it depends on the balance I already have in my wardrobe. If I dress in a contemporary way, I would counterbalance the look with an antique piece of jewelry, and conversely, if I am 100% vintage, I would find it cool to come and take a step aside with a contemporary piece of jewelry.
Your first memory of jewelry?
Oh la la, it's the princesses in the movies!!! Scarlette O'Hara, Princess Diaries,... And the tiaras, I'm sure I've already slept with the plastic one that was in the princess box.
The one you never leave?
The ring given to me by my Grandmother.
The one that makes you dream?
I would love to have a signet ring that would represent important elements of my life, a kind of composition that I would tailor-make for my 50th birthday.
Do you believe in lucky charms and protective powers?
I know it's false, but I believe it completely!
What are you wearing today?
A fairly wide ribbed ring style ring which takes up the idea of a St Jacques shell suggested by the Armeria Bijoux brand, a green plexiglass costume ring with the word Amour written by Maison Narcisse , a large Indian style ring found at Naode in the 17th
What if you had to choose a BLISS upcycled piece?
My selection:
An upcycled necklace with pearls, a golden lasso with a large golden leaf and a rose bud , another in silver with a small box pendant , and then the paved ring and the draped ring from the Vintage Selection...
Find Maïwenn on Instagram : @amour_breton