Cécile Aviérinos

Jewellery between two shores

The founder of Marathi Paris takes inspiration from Greece and India for her finely crafted jewellery. Wear it, collect it, collect some more.

By Caroline Guiol

“Another world where beauty has soul… my jewellery pieces are like talismans from two worlds, far away yet very close.” Cécile Aviérinos was born into a Greek family in Marseille and has been travelling between the two countries since childhood. From sea to sea, like a regeneration each time. “My grandmother in Athens loved jewellery and was always showing me the wonders of Greek jewellery. I was fascinated. I still love some of those old Hellenistic-style pieces, the refined details, the worked gold, slightly roughly crafted. Since then I’ve often gone back. Greece is a humble and completely enthralling country.” In Paris, in between travels, she has built a career on her dreams and her exacting standards, working at first for high-end jewellery firms (Dior, Chaumet), refining her taste for superlative crafting. Drawn by her Mediterranean roots, she has made Nice her adopted home and will very soon be receiving customers in her showroom there. She will take the time to tell them about her almost spiritual career path and her collections, made from recycled gold and silver and natural materials. 

“Gold is the colour of enlightenment, awareness. It channels sunlight and knowledge. Silver is the metal of energy, femininity, channelling the poetry of moonlight. Vermeil lights up wood from the Indian Siris tree — not an endangered species, but traditionally used for its medicinal value and its beauty. Precious and semi-precious stones including malachite, turquoise, lapis-lazuli, pink quartz and matt onyx are used singly or in combination for their therapeutic properties.” There are three collections, each with many models. The Malas are like strings of meditation beads; the Naos pendants are inspired by the design of Greek and Hindu temples; and the Dhyana pendants depict the Buddha, Mycena, Noctua and Ganesh. You can choose your favourite and seek its meaning.

Eco-conscious craft skills

The Italian and Indian jewellery workshops that work for Marathi Paris are all approved by the Responsible Jewellery Council. “I work with them constantly, from home or on the spot. I make sure their commitment is real, from the sourcing of the metals and gems to respect for the craft workers’ rights and the quality of the finished pieces.” Cécile Aviérinos takes care of herself the same way she cares for others. She trained as a yoga teacher and practices meditation. It gives her a breathing space in her busy urban life. Discreet elegance and wisdom that could help us through the heat of a Riviera summer, because the brand is on sale at the new Mad Lords shop at 10, rue Gambetta, Saint-Tropez.

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