If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then Maria Nilsdotter has to rank as your number one bestie. The Swedish jeweller is quite firmly putting a ring on it with her new-Gothic style chunky rings, spiked bangles and heavy-metal geometric designs. Plus she hand makes all of her creations from precious metals, stones and pearls.
Nilsdotter graduated from Central St Martins in 2007, and quickly made an impact on the jewellery scene, garnering a celebrity fanbase – FYI Daisy Lowe and Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan (our two longest-burning girl crushes) are fans.
It's not just Maria's jewellery that caught our magpie eyes, her ultra chic style did too. Besides her ornately-covered ears and hands (all her own designs of course) we're very much into her pared back Scandi-cool. Think oversized jackets, heaps of denim and a fabulous heavy boot collection. It's time to get better acquainted…
Name, age , location, occupation:
Maria Nilsdotter, 34, Stockholm, jewellery designer
If you were an item of clothing, what would you be and why?
I’d like to be a hat, it takes some courage to wear a hat and I like that.
Favourite item of clothing you’re currently wearing?
My Freddie Mercury T-shirt.
What item of clothing sums you up?
My rainbow platform shoes, they’re mad!
@marianilsdotter
If you had to wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
I have no idea… maybe Alexander McQueen or Chanel.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I love the closeness to water and the islands surrounding Stockholm.
How does it impact your style?
I’m not sure if it does, my style is a mix but I walk a lot so I wear comfy sneakers most days.
Where’s your favourite place to shop?
Byredo, Acne Studios and odd shoe stores like Sko Uno or Shock.
What item of clothing are you still hunting out?
I’m always on the lookout for strange shoes.
@marianilsdotter
How would you sum your style up in three words?
It’s a mix of comfortable, masculine and rock 'n' roll. I don’t take it very seriously and like to keep it fun.
What’s your favourite pair of shoes?
Ah it’s those rainbow platforms.
What’s your most important beauty rule?
Drink lots of green juices or smoothies.
Favourite make up product and why?
RMS Beauty Blender for highlighting and By Terry TOUCHE VELOUTÉE concealer. They’re both my essentials and go-to after a long day in the studio
Weirdest beauty trick you’ve ever tried?
Once when I was about twelve, a friend said my eyelashes would grow longer if I cut them off. So I did. They didn’t grow longer…
@marianilsdotter
Who do you stalk on Instagram?
Various Bob Dylan accounts.
What’s your favourite picture you’ve posted?
Maybe the image from my AW16 show which features the ballerina Daria Ivanova from the Royal Swedish Ballet dancing down the catwalk.
What’s your most liked Instagram?
One of the "boom" pictures as we call them; the close up image of a hand wearing stacks of Maria Nilsdotter rings.
Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night/Sunday morning?
In my country house in Stockholm Archipelago.
@marianilsdotter
Your favourite place to eat?
Teatergrillen in Stockholm, it’s a classic.
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
Desserts, chocolate cake or something like that.
Who’s your best buddy?
My kids.
@marianilsdotter
Where’s your happy place?
In my country house with my kids.
Your motto?
Be weird.
Your biggest fear?
To be too afraid.
Your biggest achiement to date?
Opening my Stockholm store and keeping it strong.
What do you want from your career?
The freedom to create.
@marianilsdotter
Where will you be in ten years?
Spending more time creating.
Who makes you laugh?
My family - my brothers especially always makes me laugh.
What quality do you admire in other people?
Honesty, vulnerability and sense of humour.
What’s next?
I’m finishing my new collection; it’s quite different from my other ones. I’m also launching some exciting collaborations soon.
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