The brand seamlessly merges edge and elegance. It holds its own identity but allows its wearers individuality and uniqueness. Everyone is welcome, with pieces that can be worn alone or stacked and styled.
17 January, 2017
Maria Black and her eponymous jewellery label have the fashion crowd in a frenzy. The young Danish designer has taken her Goldsmiths degree and translated it into sculptural styles that resonate with people around the world. Her designs have been quickly swept up by celebs, bloggers and fashion editors alike. A range of A-listers from Alexa Chung to the Kardashians have been spotted wearing her earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. And it's no wonder. The brand seamlessly merges edge and elegance. It holds its own identity but allows its wearers individuality and uniqueness. Pieces can be worn alone or stacked and styled. They'll elevate your daily uniform or act as the final touch to your evening attire.
To top it off, the designer has the personality to match. When SUITCASE chatted with Black, she was brimming with passion for her work and a general excitement for life.
Maria Black
Maria Black
Started out in London 2010 but has been Copenhagen based since 2015.
Silver fashion jewellery and fine gold fashion jewellery.
Maria Black, Net-a-Porter, Liberty, Browns and more (full retailer list at Maria Black).
Maria Black is not for everyone but everyone is welcome. By this I mean that no matter age, gender, creed or country, it is about the love that you feel for a piece when you see it, the love for pure uncluttered design no matter how or why you choose to wear it.
Hugely. Being able to make the pieces myself gives me the opportunity to work with them on every level and make the jump from idea to realisation. I don't think I would have become a jewellery designer without having my Goldsmiths' degree.
The first time someone bought one of my little homemade wire earrings that I made in Ibiza - and that someone wasn't my mom or a friend.
Most brands in high-fashion jewellery have their own style so I think it is hard to compare, but for me personally, it's my dedicated approach to design. There is a distinct design profile and it's timeless. You can wear these pieces ten years from now and they will still feel current.
Anything from a T-shirt to a polka-dot dress. The rules are out the window (thank god). I love to see how people style everything differently - it's very inspiring.
I'm half-Danish and half-Irish so I grew up in Copenhagen feeling like the world was my home. I don't come from an artistic background, more working class, but from early age I was all about playing classical music and drawing. My mum was always good at telling me how talented I was so I believed in myself. Thank god I chose drawing over music though! I lived in Dublin for a number of years but as soon as I came to London (my first time when I was 15) it was love at first sight. It felt like home.
There is no denying my Danish design heritage. It's very obvious. Yet my years in London gave me an edge. I always say that my designs are the love child between Copenhagen and London.
That you can get to a gorgeous sandy beach within ten minutes of the city centre. How amazing is that?
My very first collection was inspired by the punk rockers of Camden coupled with a Danish minimalist aesthetic. To me, it was the most natural thing in the world. If you took all of the hardware and separated it, the look was so inherently cool. I apply this work method to everything now: deconstruct - construct.
I love the hydra maxi earring; it has the ability to work with a range of looks from clean Celine to rock goddess. It's a statement piece and one earring is enough. Mix, don't match.
I love people watching whenever I travel. I find that it's better to watch people on the street than to look at what's in the shops. People, not brands, dictate the future.
It's the easiest and most complicated of processes. I laughed my ass of once when Karl Lagerfeld was asked how he got his inspiration. Being design royalty he dryly commented: "Either you have ideas, or you don't." That pretty much sums it up. I get a few ideas and work through it until something comes out on top and I am as close to satisfied as I can hope to be.
London to me, is the epicentre of everything. I am a city girl, the countryside is okay once in a while but I feel alive and vibrant in big cities. That's where I get my inspiration and drive from.
Completely to the contrary to what I just said, my next bucket list adventure is horseback riding in Iceland with a group of girlfriends for the pure bliss of nature, tranquillity and quality time with my friends.
My plan for the future is to expand my online presence, make waves in Japan and make sure my team and I have a blast every day. Also, I want to get a second piercing and love the shit out of life. Best. plan. ever.
