"MARIE MAS is a combination of reimagined luxury pieces which combine minimalist and kinetic styles, thanks to the patented techniques we use. It’s all about jewellery that can change shape or colour and which evolves with the wearer’s movements, a movement that can be sensual and feminine as well as fun. It’s all about movement in joy". - Marie Cabirou
Marie Cabirou's portrait
Innovation in today's world can be challenging and complex, but the designer I am writing about today has overcome such obstacles. Marie Cabirou, a jewellery designer and the director of MARIE MAS focuses on creative kinetic pieces producing beautiful, dazzling moments of theatre with every movement of your hand that comes to life with wear.
Marie Cabirou established her Parisian born luxury brand MARIE MAS in 2017. After successfully graduating from the prestigious École Duperré (College of art, design and fashion) and IFM (French Fashion Institute) in Paris, she was set for meteoric success with training in jewellery design from Florence Croisier, Shourouk and Raf Simons of Christian Dior. The name of her jewellery line, 'MARIE MAS', is a tribute to her grandmother Henriette Mas, who inspired Marie’s love of beauty and creation.
In her own words, Marie says she has always been passionate about beautiful and magical designs and that’s what has always driven her. Her innovative pieces were like a complex and distant dream but with the help of amazing craftsmen, she was motivated to keep going and innovating, and really pushing the boundaries of the classic jewellery pieces. Marie’s first collection, Swinging Stones, is a true labour of love for this revolutionary designer. Inspired by Christmas Tree Worms, vibrant and alive with fluid movement, she encountered in her ocean diving, Marie has brought to light all the magic movements to her designs. Marie and a team of artisans spent a year developing the now-patented technique that allows each piece to swing effortlessly between two different coloured stones.
In this interview, Marie tells us how her passion for kinetic jewellery started, who influenced her style of jewellery and the pieces she is most proud of.
Swinging Stones—Summer Swinging Stones, Mother-of-Pearl on one side and Malachite semi-precious stones on the other, the collection features 16 pieces (necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings) crafted in 18k rose gold
Jewellery Pursuer: Before we start talking about MARIE MAS, what does jewellery mean to you?
Marie Cabirou: For me, jewellery is a very sentimental and meaningful object, it’s closely linked to the person who wears it. This closeness is something I also hope to enhance in MARIE MAS pieces through the use of precious and semi-precious stones which carry strong energy and have their own special meaning—something I truly believe in and feel. But also on personal level jewellery to me is a way to express my mood and to have fun!
JP: How did you become a jewellery designer?
MC: When I was a child I was drawing all the time. With time I have started to dream to work in a creative field and jewellery design felt like the perfect fit. So after École Duperré (college of art, design and fashion) and IFM (French Fashion Institute) in Paris, I developed my skills during 3 years at Maison Christian Dior Couture while Raf Simons was the lead designer there. It was the vision of combining innovative techniques and fine jewellery, creating something different and unique, which drove me to become independent and realize my vision in MARIE MAS. My brand name is a tribute to my grandmother who to taught me how to draw and design when I was a child. MAS is actually my grandmothers maiden name, which also means “gold” in Balinese!
MARIE MAS's Dancing Open Ring with moving part in alignment with hand’s fluidity the purple side can reverse to reveal different shades of blue. This delicate ring is crafted in 18k rose gold and features 5,6 carats of gemstones and a 0,25 carat marquise diamond.
JP: How do you describe your style?
MC: MARIE MAS is a combination of reimagined luxury pieces which combine minimalist and kinetic styles, thanks to the patented techniques we use. It’s all about jewellery that can change shape or colour and which evolves with the wearer’s movements, a movement that can be sensual and feminine as well as fun. It’s all about movement in joy.
JP: What motivated you to become what you are today?
MC: I have always been passionate about beautiful and magical designs and that’s what has always driven me. The possibility of realising something complex, has at one point seemed like a very distant dream, but the amazing craftsmen who make it possible really motivated me to keep innovating, and really pushing the boundaries of the classic jewellery pieces.
JP: Tell me about how you choose materials?
MC: I chose to work in 18K gold for its resisting quality. It’s a fantastic material that can be worked very thin while staying strong at the same time and is perfect for very technical pieces. My favourite is rose gold because the colour is also beautifully warm. As for the stones, I always choose them for both their energy quality and colour. I love to work in shades of colours to give the feeling of movement and fluidity.
JP: Tell us about your creative process.
MC: am obsessed with movement so I am always looking in the way things move in my daily life and it starts from that. In a certain magical moment, I might notice a natural movement and then I start to draw. Based on that, one of the most inspiring places for me is the underwater world, which is constantly moving in the most fascinating ways.
JP: What's your favourite piece?
MC: My favourite piece is the Dancing Open Ring. It’s a piece that I am wearing since I created the brand and I can’t leave it, I love how gently it follows the movements of my hand and dances with me all day—it’s a fantastic feeling. I am also a fan of King Wave ring because it’s fun to watch the pins dance as you put it on. I chose mine in the Moonstone variation because the beauty of these deep blue moonstones remind me of the ocean, which I adore. But it also exists in diamonds and emeralds too!
The Wave Collection—an ode to harmony, femininity and deceptive simplicity—was unveiled at the Design Room in Vicenzaoro 2019. Capturing the spirit of movement and unhinged freedom through the magic of gold, diamonds and rainbow moonstones.
JP: What are your proudest moments?
MC: I think my proudest moment is when a piece I dreamed of comes true, and the mechanism finally works perfectly and is fluid—it’s an incredible moment. I also adore the same moment for bespoke pieces, when my customer discovers her final jewel that we dreamed of together, it’s magical.
JP: How do you compare MARIE MAS past and present?
MC: I think MARIE MAS today is definitely more established with a stronger brand identity. When I launched the brand I was more product-focused, and since then I have worked more on the DNA, aiming to translate the importance of the jewellery that brings joy when you wear it and capturing those feelings of happiness and freedom that I want people to feel through MARIE MAS jewellery in our campaigns.
JP: Lastly, what're the next plans when things get better with the new normal?
MC: I am looking forward to being able to meet with my friends, family without the current weight on our shoulders. And of course to finally welcome my customers in person and create unique bespoke pieces to make their dream come true :) After this crazy year, I also wanted to express myself through meaningful jewellery, so currently I am developing a special technique for a new collection, and look forward to launching it next year. In this collection, you will be able to include somethings special and meaningful for yourself or for the one you will offer the jewellery to. A collection of jewels with personalized secrets. I am currently developing a special technique for this new collection, and look forward to launching it next year.
