Introduction to: Margaux Studios
Our newest, prettiest and most romantic jewellery collection has just arrived. We ask founder and designer, Abigayil Swann, to tell us all about Margaux Studios.
Where do you find inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from so many different places! I’ve always been obsessed with costume dramas and originally wanted to become a costume designer for films, so I think I tend to be drawn to that area the most. ‘Marie Antoinette’ by Sofia Coppola has always been a huge influence on me, and I love that the film drew inspiration from the 80s New Romantics as well as traditional French Rococo. I also look to original portrait paintings from the Rococo, Regency and Victorian eras for jewellery inspiration. Currently, I’m inspired by the movies ‘Badlands’ and also ‘A Room With a View’, as the mood and the costumes in both are just perfection.
Why Margaux?
I’ve always thought Margaux Hemingway was such an underrated style icon. I frequently use the picture of her on her wedding day on my mood boards, and adore how she wore such cute pieces like frilled broderie dresses and bows in her hair, yet always looked so chichic. It's a look I always strive for with the brand. I also love that the name ‘Margot’ in French also means Pearl, so thought it was meant to be!
Images found here:
https://www.quinceanera.com/hair-styles/doll-up-with-elegant-british-inspired-hats/
https://www.facebook.com/oliviavonhalle/posts/ultimate-muse-margaux-hemingway-on-her-wedding-day-in-paris-1975/3551965274877397/
What is your background and training?
I studied Fashion Design at Kingston University, with my graduate show debuting at London Graduate Fashion Week. I was chosen by Vogue Magazine as one of the top graduates of 2011, and featured in a photoshoot with other young fashion designers. I then went to work for a few retailers on the high street designing womenswear, including ASOS. I’d always been passionate about jewellery though, and had been collecting antique and vintage jewellery for years, and saving hundreds of images on Pinterest. I finally left ASOS and set up my own brand, after months of teaching myself to make my dream jewellery.
What was the impetus for the setting up of the brand?
I left ASOS in 2019 as I didn’t like the ‘speed to market’, and extreme fast-fashion direction the company was going in. As a passionate believer in making fashion more sustainable, I felt like there was a niche in the market for made-to-order, feminine & antique inspired jewellery, with an emphasis on high-quality and beautiful materials that would last forever.
Where and by whom is it made?
I make everything myself by hand in North London, where I live with my husband and two cats. Having visited many factories for fast-fashion retailers throughout my career, I made a promise never to use them for my own brand and to pay all of my suppliers fair wages. I source every single pearl and component myself; using small, family run businesses.
Do you have any famous clients?
After a few months of debuting the brand on Instagram, I got noticed by celebrity stylists like Leith Clark, Rachel Bakewell and Aimee Croysdill. From then onwards it has been a bit of an amazing whirlwind of gaining press, being featured in magazines and seeing well known faces wear my jewellery. Most recently, Aimee used a lot of my pieces to style Nicola Coughlan for her press tour for the Netflix show ‘Bridgerton’, which was a dream come true. Rachel styled poet and actress Greta Bellamacina in one of my hair bows for the Dior show last year. And Leith used the ‘Mina Crystal Bow Earrings’ in an editorial for the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar. My pieces have also been worn by Angela Scanlon, Laura Bailey and Faye Wei Wei.
Any plans for the future?
I’m about to shoot my second look book which is always an exciting time! After months of hard work, it’s so satisfying to see a collection come together. One day, it’s my dream to introduce a small collection of made-to-order dresses to the brand, but at the moment I’m happy staying focussed on the jewellery and accessories, and growing Margaux steadily to ensure the brand stays sustainable and morally conscious.
This brand is every bit as beautiful as it sounds. Shop the new collection here. Watch the Jewellery video below.