Spotted on Scarlett Johansson, Girls Aloud & Ke$sha | earrings of Maria Black
Now in our shop

Maria Black is a Copenhagen-born designer with Irish roots. Maria Blacks jewellery has quickly caught the attention of those with a passion for accessories. She was inspired to become a goldsmith after traveling to Brazil, India and Ibiza. Back in Denmark she decided to study for goldsmith, starting out in Denmark and continuing in London.

With a sleek Danish design and the passion of the Irish, Maria's vision is one of sex appeal and detail. Her jewellery can be worn in every possible way: raw and sexy or stylish and sophisticated. Her designs have been seen on Scarlett Johansson, Girls Aloud, Ke$ha, Will Young, Dido, Alexa Davalos, Lisa Snowdon and Coco Sumner. You can buy the jewelry of Maria Black in our blogger’s boutique, which is at this moment the only reseller in the Netherlands. Time for a chitchat with the Talented Maria.
 

Can you tell us more about the women behind Maria Black?
In Denmark we have a 300 year old tradition of apprenticeship with a goldsmith combined with trade school. I studied in Denmark for 3 years and did my last year in London. In 2009, I graduated with honours as a goldsmith. Upon graduation, I immediately started developing the MBJ brand as I had a million ideas. The kick start was in 2010 at the Danish Fashion Week in August. I currently live and work in London, which is a constant inspiration.

How did you get into fashion design? 
I was frustrated by the big jump from fashion jewellery to the traditional precious metal jewellery and was very focused on creating a line that would draw on the limitless creativity in fashion and combine that with the esthetics of traditional jewellery making.

What does your brand stands for?
MBJ is an affordable luxury brand that caters for the fashion conscious woman.

What inspires you?
A million different things every day. I constantly walk into or knock over things, because my eyes dart around. Being visual and open minded is the key factor. Also, research into history, fashion, architecture, materials and people watching is my foundation.

How important are bloggers to your brand?
Bloggers have proved to play an invaluable part in the promotion of Maria Black Jewellery. Each and every blogger takes their style and creativity to the pieces and therefore present it in a more personal way than magazines can.

Which bloggers/celebrities have been spotted with your brand?
MBJ has been featured in more than 50 blogs, so I would feel ashamed to mention some over others, but for celebrities it’s as diverse as Scarlett Johansson to Coco Sumner and Annie Lennox to Ke$ha.

Which blogger/celebrity would you love to dress and why?
I would love to see lots of people wearing my jewellery, but someone like Erin Wasson who has been a muse of mine for some time, or Gwen Stefani, since she manages cool and sophistication at the same time. But I was very proud when our Danish supermodel Helena Christensen was wearing our db monocle ring in Costume (Danish magazine) and stated it was her favourite piece of jewellery.

What is the most surprising thing that has happened to you as a designer?
That was when I was standing at a corner shop counting my pennies to buy a bottle of wine to bring to a friend’s house and getting a call telling me Scarlett Johansson bought one of my necklaces. The stark contrast between the very glamourous Scarlett Johansson and my broke, not so glamourous situation was enough to render me speechless for a few hours.

How would you describe your own personal style?
My clothes are always black and basic. I spend most of my time in my workshop so practical is the way forward. If I wear black I can always hide the stains, add a pair of heels and some kick ass jewellery, which I happen to have a lot of ;)

What fashion trend would you not be caught dead in?
Uhmmm, since I was right there…  It would be the 90’s techno scene complete with buffalo shoes, spiked hair and neon coloured fake fur.

What is the one item that every woman should have in her closet?
A pair of black jeans…. How difficult would my world be without them!!!

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