Margaret Mae: Nathalie Schydlowsky, harmonizing Nordic Purity with Parisian Elegance in Jewelry Design

There’s something magnetic about women who don’t follow trends, they build worlds. Nathalie Schydlowsky is one of them. Long before she founded Margaret Mae, she was already designing without realizing it, quietly absorbing the contrast of crisp Nordic lines and Parisian opulence, sketching a life where form, light, and intention would one day speak through fine jewelry.

Born in Denmark to French-Danish parents, her story reads like a modern tapestry of design capitals, from Copenhagen to Paris, with chapters in London, Sydney, and New York. Fashion wasn’t simply a career path, it was part of her inner language, sharpened during a pivotal experience at Vogue USA and deepened through a decade working with major labels like Balenciaga, The Kooples, and From Future. She moved through the industry with quiet precision, curating collections and refining her eye, all while creating jewelry for herself, unpolished ideas turned into pieces that her friends, naturally, started asking for. It all began with a pair of earrings, the Moonlight. Delicate. Geometric. Personal. What started as a detail became a signature, and before she knew it, she wasn’t just designing jewelry, she was building a brand that felt like an extension of her life, her taste, her culture.

Margaret Mae didn’t arrive with a marketing plan. It unfolded organically, just like the way light filters through Danish glass in winter, just like the way a Parisian woman puts on a piece of jewelry without overthinking it, but never by accident. Through her pieces, Nathalie invites us into a world where elegance is architectural, minimalism holds emotion, and heritage is not a constraint but a lens through which beauty is reimagined. Interview.

Website: https://www.margaret-mae.com/

- To begin, could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey—how did you become the designer and founder behind Margaret Mae?

I was born and grew up in Denmark with Danish/French parents. After finishing school, I spent several years abroad in London, Sydney, and New York and spent the last years between Paris and Copenhagen. Fashion and jewelry started as a passion in my younger years and became my profession after an experience at Vogue USA. While spending 10 years working as a buyer and collection director in brands like Balenciaga, The Kooples, and From Future, I developed Nordic-inspired jewelry for myself. Friends would start asking for the pieces, especially the Moonlight earrings that I made 4 years ago. After much hesitation, I finally went for it and started drawing my first collection; it felt so natural and exciting, and suddenly I was in the process of building my own brand.

- Your new collection is called Northern Lights—can you tell us about the inspiration behind this name and what it represents in your designs?

Margaret Mae’s first collection, Northern Lights, is inspired by the bold geometry in architecture in 1960s Denmark. Each piece is designed as a miniature work of architecture, where diamonds serve as radiant points of light. The light in northern countries is very different. It is crucial in countries like Denmark to let the light come through our interiors as our winters are so dark and cold. My parents have a summerhouse in Hornbaek where one of the walls of the house is made entirely out of glass windows; I love sitting there for hours looking at nature and taking in the light in the winter. I liked the parallel with my jewelry letting light through with diamonds.

- Margaret Mae blends Nordic purity with Parisian elegance. How do these dual influences manifest in your creative process and the final pieces?

My sense of aesthetic is deeply rooted in Nordic design—defined by clean lines, understated elegance, and a sense of purity. However, Margaret Mae’s craftsmanship is inspired by the tradition of Parisian excellence in “haute joaillerie.” Our jewelry pieces are crafted in a European atelier that works with several Maisons de joaillerie Place Vendôme. This precision, artistry, and savoir-faire elevate each piece.

- How does your Franco-Scandinavian heritage shape your approach to jewelry design?

My Franco-Scandinavian heritage is at the core of my design philosophy. My Scandinavian roots guide the purity of design, while my Parisian experience in fashion brings an understanding of how a ring, bracelet, or other jewelry pieces express a sense of personal aesthetic and style. I think our Moonlight and Sunlight rings embody this perfectly; it is the idea of making jewelry that is pure and timeless but also a coup de cœur as a fashion piece often is. I personally wear these rings every day with a simple look (oversized blazer, jeans or leggings, and cowboy boots), and they just bring that extra edge I want for a cool, effortless vibe.

- Simplicity and minimalism seem to be at the core of your brand's philosophy. How do you maintain emotional depth and storytelling in such a refined aesthetic?

The emotional depth comes from the small but significant details: the curve of a line inspired by architecture, the balance of proportions, even with asymmetry, that evoke harmony, or the way a piece interacts with light and movement. Each piece in this collection embodies that. Every element matters, and that’s where the storytelling lies—in the quiet power of precision, purity, and emotion.

- As a designer based in Paris, how does the city influence your work, and how do you see it blending with your Nordic roots?

Paris is a constant source of inspiration—its artistry, architecture, history, and effortless sense of style shape the way I approach design. Living and working in this city has refined my eye for detail and craftsmanship, instilling a deep appreciation for the savoir-faire of joaillerie and the way jewelry interacts with fashion. I have always been obsessed with the energy of the city and get so much inspiration from observing French women and their style, even more so during PFW. I have sat for hours with my grandmother at “Les Deux Magots” watching Parisians and their impeccable outfits. At the same time, my Nordic roots keep me anchored in simplicity, balance, and purity of form.

- What emotions or messages do you hope people feel when they wear pieces from the Northern Lights collection?

I hope clients feel like it’s that subtle touch that elevates any look while remaining personal and timeless. It’s about adding that final element that pulls a look together—I am convinced style is personal, and confidence comes from wearing something that just feels right.
 

The confluence of Scandinavian and French design philosophies has a rich historical precedent. Scandinavian design, emerging prominently in the mid-20th century, is celebrated for its simplicity, functionality, and connection to nature. This design ethos emphasizes clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a harmonious balance between form and function. Conversely, French design, particularly in the realm of haute joaillerie, is renowned for its intricate craftsmanship, opulence, and attention to detail. The grandeur of Parisian artistry often showcases elaborate designs, luxurious materials, and a flair for the dramatic. The synthesis of these two distinct styles offers a unique aesthetic that marries the understated elegance of the North with the lavish sophistication of Paris. This fusion not only enriches the design landscape but also appeals to a global audience seeking pieces that embody both restraint and grandeur. Nathalie Schydlowsky's work with Margaret Mae stands as a contemporary embodiment of this historical amalgamation, bringing together the best of both worlds in her jewelry designs.