Marie Lichtenberg on Being Jewelry’s ‘It Girl’ in 2023
Senior Editor Ashley Davis interviewed the Parisian stylist turned jewelry designer on her cult favorite jewelry collection.

There’s been an undeniable buzz around Marie Lichtenberg. The Parisian designer entered the scene in 2019 with a unique signature—a locket based on an antique family heirloom.
She infused the piece with whimsy and individuality, utilizing engraved patterns, diamonds and colored gemstones, enamels, and text for a contemporary twist.
Several lockets were strung on bright thread, rather than a gold chain, expertly fusing the high/low approach that belies Lichtenberg’s history as a fashion stylist.

It is this intersection of timeless luxury born of antique inspiration and contemporary playfulness where Lichtenberg has solidified her design identity.
The “Scapular” necklace, based on the religious pendant style, has followed the same formula, reinventing a classic piece with color and personality.
Along the way, Lichtenberg has garnered the attention of jewelry tastemakers across the industry, landing in stores like Broken English, Twist, and Net-a-Porter.
I spoke with the designer about taking the leap into design and her early jewelry influences.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Ashley Davis: What was your professional background prior to launching your brand?
Marie Lichtenberg: I am a former fashion editor for ELLE France and ELLE International.
AD: What originally piqued your interest in jewelry?
ML: My mother has always collected antique jewelry, and as far back as I can remember, I was fascinated by what she wore.
A sapphire line bracelet had particularly caught my attention. From visiting antique jewelry stores to every flea market on earth, my education and love for jewelry were undoubtedly born during that time.
“I needed to experience a profound turning point … before finally making the decision to pursue [jewelry].”
– Marie Lichtenberg
AD: What made you take the leap to create your own designs and brand?
ML: I learned a great deal as a stylist, and it was an exciting profession, but I felt that I could and should push my creative side even further.
It was a long process of reflection before I took the plunge. I needed to experience a profound turning point and deep self-reflection before finally making the decision to pursue it.
[Jewelry design] was a dream, and sometimes it's difficult to make dreams come true; sometimes we just want to stay in the fantasy of "what if?”
AD: What ended up being the turning point for you?
ML: At the time [I was beginning my jewelry line], I was experiencing challenging moments in my life as well as great happiness.
I was going through challenging personal family issues and resigning from a magazine where I had worked for more than 12 years.
I was leaving behind familiar grounds and had to build a new solid foundation—a new beginning.
AD: What can you tell me about the first designs? What was the process like creating the first locket and refining it?
ML: I needed to draw strength from a piece I already knew and cherished. I found inspiration in the necklace my mother gave to me when I was 14 years old, a “creole” necklace.
I drew my inspiration from it to create my "locket." It’s a clasp transformed into a chiseled talisman bearing the words dedicated to my daughter, Paloma: "Love you to the moon and back."
This was the first piece in my collection. I describe my first designs as a true passion project, filled with love, wit, and charm.
“My ignorance was my greatest fortune. It gave me freedom in creation and action.” – Marie Lichtenberg
AD: How did the collection evolve from lockets to your "Scapular" necklaces?
ML: The "Scapular" is not so much an evolution but rather the desire to add a new playground, if you will, to our collection. The primary inspiration is a religious necklace composed of two small pieces of blessed fabric connected by a string.
It was interesting for me to explore its conventional shapes and add complexity to it. It also represents my desire to mix everything so people can stack and accumulate our jewelry. It is a perfect partner to the locket.
AD: At Couture this year, you debuted an orb pendant encasing a Magic 8 Ball. Can you tell me a bit about it?
ML: The Magic 8 Ball is a collaboration with Mattel. We are extremely proud of it.
It was the perfect opportunity for us to combine this iconic and brilliant design with our expertise. For me, it is the perfect illustration of the DNA of our brand: irreverent and playful at any cost.
“What we have in mind is to continue having fun and pushing craftsmanship to its maximum despite the commercial pressure.” – Marie Lichtenberg
AD: How would you describe your overall design philosophy or identity?
ML: I had the opportunity to dive into this industry without knowing the outcome. My ignorance was my greatest fortune.
It gave me freedom in creation and action. I believe “freedom,” and “irreverence,” are words that describe our work very well.
AD: Who do you envision as the Marie Lichtenberg customer?
ML: I see my client as a relaxed, playful woman with a great sense of humor and style.
AD: What’s next for the brand?
ML: We are currently in the midst of developing the next collection. What we have in mind is to continue having fun and pushing craftsmanship to its maximum despite the commercial pressure and everything that developing a business can entail.
I cannot share too much at this stage, but keep your eyes peeled.
The Latest

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.


The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.