In the colorful world of leather goods, Marie Martens stands out for her bold and joyful approach. A lover of pink and bright colors, she infuses her creations with a vitality that captures attention. For her, jewelry is much more than simple accessories; it evokes childhood figures and memories without nostalgia, with a touch of the unexpected and humor.
Dive with me into her fascinating world, discovering her colorful inspirations and unique vision that makes each creation memorable. Prepare to explore a world where imagination and joy intertwine to bring unforgettable treasures to life.
"I am Marie Martens, creator and founder of my eponymous leather goods brand. I am Belgian, originally from Ghent, but I have lived in France for 20 years: first in Paris, then in Versailles with my little family.
Before embarking on a creative career, I first had a career in politics in Belgium, then in finance in Paris as a marketing and communications director. But my creative streak, my passion for materials, craftsmanship, and colors pushed me to radically change direction.
I have been developing my brand for over 10 years, with the desire to bring a touch of audacity, color and good humor to leather goods.
Is jewelry important to you? What is your relationship with jewelry?
Jewelry plays an essential role in my life. It's part of my daily life, my style, my way of expressing myself and telling my story. Through my jewelry, I communicate a thousand things, and it's unthinkable for me to go out without it: without jewelry, I would feel truly naked! Even on my bags, I've always attached small pieces of jewelry, lucky charms, and charms. I've even created bags specifically to attach charms to.
In the past, I even launched my own brand of costume jewelry, "Marie-moi," and today, I still continue to create pieces, mostly for myself. I also always like to hang jewelry on my bags: for me, each piece of jewelry is a lucky charm, a souvenir, an extra touch of personality.
A few years ago I also created a capsule collection with the Belgian brand Diamanti per Tutti (Antwerp diamonds)
I've always been fascinated by the world of jewelry. I love strolling through jewelry store windows or exploring Instagram accounts, especially those dedicated to fine jewelry. The beauty of precious stones, the brilliance of metals, and the finesse of goldsmithing captivate me. I'm amazed by the creativity and technical mastery behind each piece.
Whenever I have the opportunity, I visit exhibitions dedicated to antique or historical jewelry. I also enjoy lingering in front of jewelry display cases in archaeological museums—whether in Egypt, Greece, Italy, or Turkey. There, I discover treasures from the past, stories, and exceptional craftsmanship that fuel my inspiration and my love for this art.
Are you more into jewelry or costume jewelry?
I love jewelry as much as costume jewelry, but always with a good dose of color and originality! On a daily basis, I mostly wear costume jewelry, which I find more playful and easy to stack according to my desires. But on my fingers, they are often real jewels, fine rings, sometimes with messages, or antique pieces like a small collection of engraved Tuareg rings, bought from an antique dealer in Marrakech. They make me travel and dream, like seals engraved in stone.
I don't really own any fine jewelry pieces, except for a "Diorette" ring designed by Victoire de Castellane, given to me by my husband for the birth of my daughter Pauline: a symbolic and precious jewel that I particularly cherish, especially since I admire the boldness and colorful creativity of Victoire de Castellane.
Around my neck and wrists, I happily mix styles and materials. For twenty years, I've been wearing a Dodo necklace by Pomellato, to which I add small symbolic pendants, souvenirs of special moments in Paris or travels. I also like to accumulate fine chains, embellished with childhood charms or finds gleaned over the years, and layer bracelets and necklaces made of colorful beads, mixing freshwater pearls and fluorescent costume beads. For me, true luxury is this mix of memories, materials, and colors that tell a unique story.
In my jewelry boxes, a few antique pieces sit alongside my creations, but it's especially my mother who is the big fan of art deco jewelry!
Your first memory of jewelry?
I was four years old when I had my first big creative idea: to turn my grandmother's gold necklace into rings! I quietly took refuge in her bathroom, armed with scissors, and cut the necklace into small pieces so I could make a ring for each finger... Without thinking about how to close these mini-jewels, or how my grandmother would react to my new set!
I also have a very precious memory of a bracelet set with small multicolored precious stones, given to me by my great-great-aunt Tie for my tenth birthday. She said to me: "Here, so you'll think about your old Aunt Tie later." At the time, I didn't really understand the meaning of her words... until the day she left us. Today, every time I look at this bracelet, I think fondly of her.
The one you never leave?
Oh, it's hard to choose, because I almost never take off my jewelry... it's part of me! Of course, there's my wedding ring and my engagement ring, but that hardly counts ;)
The one that accompanies me everywhere is a necklace: a fine chain adorned with multiple pendants and charms, including a mini scarab in real turquoise, brought back from Egypt when I was 12; a hand of Fatima, a Hello Kitty signed Caroline de Benoist, etc. It's a small miracle that I've never lost it... especially when you know that I have the gift of scattering my jewelry everywhere, especially on vacation! The oceans and seas must be full of treasures lost since childhood.
The one that makes you dream?
The list is long, but... Nadine Ghosn's "pencil" ring makes me dream... I even think I could rob her shop, I love everything so much. (The Hamburger ring is crazy!!)
And speaking of rushes... Aurélie Bidermann's Diana is also catching my eye, but it's the color that's holding me back: which one to start with? I'm going around in circles... for now, I'm making some "Kitchen made" reproductions in Fimo paste, just to be patient and think quietly ;)
Do you believe in lucky charms and protective powers? What's your favorite talisman?
This question resonates deeply with me. It reflects the very essence of jewelry for me. Each piece I wear has a story to tell: a precious memory, a defining moment in my life, whether it's about family, friendship, love, or travel.
All my jewelry carries a message, a symbol, a special meaning. I consider them lucky charms or talismans, small amulets that protect me or accompany me on a daily basis, while reminding me of cherished moments or values.
Each one is a reminder of what really matters to me…and color is always a part of it!
What are you wearing today?
After my Môme Bijou necklace, in the letters “ROSER”, I start with my rings
-
Rosa Maïtea 's "lucky star" ring. This ring represents so many things to me: color, sisterhood, luck, confidence
-
the 3 rings in 3 golds “Perlesiennes” by Padam Padam . Of extraordinary quality, the mixture of the 3 golds that I like very much.
-
a mini gold Hello Kitty signet ring
-
Rings by Thea jewelry with the inscriptions “NON” and (R) OSE and JOY and HAPPY
-
my wedding ring and engagement ring, very classic
Ahh, I haven't talked about my earrings yet!? With my seven pierced holes, there's plenty to tell... At home, no two earrings are the same: I almost exclusively wear "mono" earrings, a real playground to express my personality and break the classic codes.
My current favorite? My little Mouse earring by Marie Beltrami , with its dangling tail, playful and quirky, just like its pink-haired designer, who was also my muse for a bag campaign in collaboration with Hello Kitty. Alongside these, I collect little flea markets, a lightning bolt, an opaline here, a palm tree hoop earring there...
And since I never do things by halves, I think the next step will be a little helix piercing!
And since I'm not only wearing jewelry... I'm also wearing a Heimstone jumpsuit and a Marant Etoile pink and beige checked overshirt and my "Nelly" leopard cardigan that I never take off.
What if you had to choose an upcycled BLISS piece?
The lasso necklace, gray beads and pencil from Ba l or the old Canadian coin ring if I had one finger left!
Discover the world of Marie Martens at the boutique, 6 rue du Parc Royal, Paris 3rd arrondissement. and on its website: https://marie-martens.com/